A late surge by the Antonians saw them emerge victorious at Nittawela earlier today amidst a packed Nittawela stadium. The Antonians won the game 34 (5T 3C 1P) points to 24(4T 2C). It was a different story at half time where Dharmaraja led 24 (4T 2C) – 17 (2T 2C 1P). Both teams came to the game with hopes of a win which will by the slightest chance to get them to the cup segment if St. Peter’s had beaten St. Joseph’s which they had failed to do so all in all both teams Dharmaraja and St. Anthony’s are most likely to bow out of the cup segment to the plate division at the end of the break. However both teams still have one more match left in the group stages.
Dharmaraja as they have usually done so far this season drew first blood through their captain and playmaker Chamika Perera who went over the line in the right corner of the field after stepping past 3 defenders on his way to the try line. Gihan Ishara the full back converted with ease to give them the early lead. (St.Anthony’s 00-07 Dharmaraja)
Soon after the restart Gihan Malinga the second center for Dharmaraja scored again. This was a carbon copy of the first try Chamika Perera scored the difference being Perera handing the ball off to Gihan Malinga this time. Gihan Ishara failed his second kick from the left corner. (St.Anthony’s 00-12 Dharmaraja)
Mohommed Makarim got the Antonians their first score as he went over the line after some excellent breakaway and set up phases by the Antonian forwards. Makarim had the penalty advantage on his side as the Rajans line was playing offside. Samuel Maduwantha who had being collecting some thumping high balls with ease from the start of the game converted with ease to give the Antonians a well deserved score. (St.Anthony’s 07-12 Dharmaraja)
Dharmaraja captain Chamika Perera who was in the thick of things then sent out a long cut out pass to his winger after sucking in both Dinuk Amerasinghe and Jehan Seelagama towards him. The Rajans wing three quarter Dulantha Piyatissa had a quick dash towards the line before going down in the left corner. Gihan Ishara then converted from the left corner flag to give Dharmaraja a 12 point lead. (St.Anthony’s 07-19 Dharmaraja)
Maduwantha was then again in action as he received a penalty for holding on soon after both teams had settled down after the two quick tries that was scored. This was a 30m penalty at a slight angle which he slotted through right down the middle. (St.Anthony’s 10-19 Dharmaraja)
Dinuk Amerasinghe scored his first try of the game to bring back the deficit to a single score. He neatly fended off the covering defenders from the Rajans before sprinting away a good 60m going under the posts to score. Samuel Maduwantha converted the regulation kick from under the posts. (St.Anthony’s 17-19 Dharmaraja)
Just before half time Gihan Malinga scored his second try of the game. It was Bawantha Udangamuwa who did all the hard work and made the yards before handing it over to Malinga who dived in for the try. Gihan Ishara missed a rather easy kick from the flanks this time. (St.Anthony’s 17-24 Dharmaraja)
Referee Dinka Peiris brought the game to the half time after the try by Malinga. Samuel Maduwantha was stretchered off after getting injured and Gihan Malinga too who limped off to the bench after pulling up a hamstring.
Half Time : St.Anthony’s 17 (2T 2C 1P) – 24 (4T 2C) St.Anthony’s
Dinuk Amerasinghe scored minutes after the second half had started giving the Antonians an important morale booster. He only had one defender to beat which he did rather comprehensively after received a good pass from his fly half Makarim. M.Wanasinghe who had replaced Maduwantha as the kicker missed his first conversion from the right Corner. (St.Anthony’s 22-24 Dharmaraja)
Dharmaraja then had plenty of opportunities which they squandered and mistakes were creeping into their game at this point. Dharmaraja should take note that they failed to score in all three matches against Isipathana, Royal and today against St.Anthony’s in the second half after having led at the half time mark.
Taking advantage of this Mohommed Shabeer the lock who was made Number 8 broke away after their defence had prevented the Rajans from scoring. He handed the ball to Theeksha Gunasinghe before eventually it ended up in his hand as he went under the posts to score the 4th try for them in the match. Wanasinghe this time made the easy under the post conversion. (St.Anthony’s 29-24 Dharmaraja)
The final nail in the coffin came in the 76th minute when the substitute player Janindu Himsara who just played 2 minutes went over in the far corner to score. Antonians made this move through open play where the prop forward kicked the loose ball which the wingers chased and controlled before going over the line. Wanasinghe failed to convert this time. (St.Anthony’s 34-24 Dharmaraja)
Just before the final whistle P.Wenington was sent to the sin bin for having hands in the ruck. Seconds after the referee Dinka Peries blew the whistle making the game come to an end.
Full Time : St.Anthony’s 34 (5T 3C 1P) – 24 (4T 2C) Dharmaraja
ThePapare.com’s Player of the Match: Dinuk Amerasinghe (St.Anthony’s)
Score Breakdown
St.Anthony’s – Dinuk Amerasinghe (2T), Mohommed Makarim (1T), Mohommed Shabeer (1T), Janindu Himsara (1T), Samuel Maduwantha (1C 1P), M.Wanasinghe (1C)
Dharmaraja – Gihan Malinga (2T), Chamika Perera (1T), Dulantha Piyatissa (1T), Gihan Ishara (2C)
