Dharmaraja College secured their first win of the season against a D.S.Senanayake College earlier today amidst an average crowd at Bogambara Stadium. The Rajans ran away with in the end scoring 45 (7T 5C) points to the visitors 12 (2T 1C) points. At the midway point Dharmaraja led 24 (4T 2C) – 12 (2T 1C) and they managed to secure the bonus point before the end of the first half.

Both Bawantha Udangamuwa and Gihan Malinga the midfielders for the Rajans last 3 games were ruled out injured which meant some young players got an opportunity in the playing fifteen. The D.S. Senanayake forwards were brilliant in this game as well, they were able to create trouble inside the Rajans 22 picking and driving, gaining meter by meter, however the Rajans defense held strong on most of the occasions.

Dharmaraja were right in the oppositions half from the kick off making early inroads into the DS defense which gave-way in the 6th minute of the game. Chamika Perera was over the goal-line for the Rajans after receiving a lovely cut out pass from the half-back. Gihan Ishara who was assigned the kicking duties, only managed to hit the right upright with his first shot at goal. (Dharmaraja 05-00 D.S.Senanayake)

The DS reply was instant as their blindside flanker W.Samarawrickrama went over the line. The forwards did all the hard work securing the ball right of the restart and drove their way over the line through Samarawrickrama. Hasindu Dinusha failed to add the extras.  (Dharmaraja 05-05 D.S.Senanayake)

The game then progressed into a tight contest over the next few minutes before Binura Bandara touched down at the left corner flag. Bandara who played on the wing thus far in the season slotted into outside center due to the absence of Udangamuwa. He ran a good line before cutting in to score. Gihan Ishan failed to add the extras. (Dharmaraja 10-05 D.S.Senanayake)

Y.Basuru then made a sprint right down the left corner of the field to score the third try for the Rajans. They spread it out to the winger as he ran past the defense with ease before going over on the left wing. Gihan Ishara made a good conversion. (Dharmaraja 17-05 D.S.Senanayake)

D.S.Senanayake scored again through their prop forward S. Sanjana who went over with the aide of the rest of the pack was in excellent position for a pick and drive that gave the visitors hope. Hasindu Dinusha had no problems in converting this time around. (Dharmaraja 17-12 D.S.Senanayake)

Dharmaraja received a scrum 30m away from the try line. The Dharmaraja number 8 made a break of the back making a barging run before offloading to the Gayan Ishara. Ishara then evaded 4 tackles before scoring. He also added the extras to his own try. (Dharmaraja 24-12 D.S.Senanayake)

Half Time; Dharmaraja 24 (4T 2C) – 12 (2T 1P) D.S.Senanayake

The second half got off to a slow start as both teams failed to make any real inroads and convert the chances that came their way. Samarawrickrama the try scorer for DS was shown a yellow card just as the second half had started. D.S.Senanayake however did well not to concede any points while they were a man down.

Finally the Rajans scored in the 60th minute as skipper Chamika Perera scored right under the posts with some brilliant individual skills. He neatly side stepped out and in spotting a gap in the tiring DS defense, this was Chamika’s second try of the game. Gihan Ishara had no problems adding the extras. (Dharmaraja 31-12 D.S.Senanayake)

Minutes later, Spotting that there was no cover defense at the back Ishara neatly chipped over the blitzing DS line and chased it down himself only to be pulled back by a D.S. defender. The referee had no choice but to award a penalty try. Ishara added the extras. (Dharmaraja 38-12 D.S.Senanayake)

The last try of the game came through Chathura Ekanayake although it was Pramuditha Hasaranga the flanker who did all the hard work. He made a clean break through middle and sprinted 70m before handing over the pass to Ekanayake who went right under the posts for the last try of the game. Gihan Ishara made knocked over the extras with ease. (Dharmaraja 45-12 D.S.Senanayake)

This win meant that Dharmaraja still has a chance to go through to the second round if they win their next matches against St. Anthony’s College and St. Peter’s College which will both be played at Bogambara.

Full time – Dharmaraja 45 (7T 5C) – 12 (2T 1C) D.S.Senanayake

ThePapare.com’s Player of the Match: Gihan Ishara (Dharmaraja)

Score breakdown

Chamika Perera (2T)

Binura Bandara (1T)

Yemin Basuru (1T)

Chathura Ekanayake (1T)

Gihan Ishara (2T 5C)

D.S.Senanayake.

W.Samarawrickrama (1T)

S.Sanjana (1T)

Hasindu Dinusha (1C)

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