The pre quarter final games of the Milo Under 16 league tournament was held yesterday at the Science College Rugby grounds in Mt. Lavinia which saw some top teams battling it out for a place in the next round. Below are the results of the games concluded.
Plate Category.
In the plate category Mahanama recorded a close 17 points to 10 victory over Sri Sumnagala College, Panadura while Nalanda too had a close call against Prince of Wales edging the latter 12 points to 8. In the other games St.Josephs had an easy 36 points to nill victory over CWW Kanangara College while Piliyandala Central turned tables on Ananda College recording a thrilling 13 points to 7 win.
Shield Category.
In the only shield segment game Lalith Athulathmudali Vidyalaya registered an easy 32 points to 05 victory over Moratu Vidyalaya.
CUP Category.
1st Pre QF – St.Peters vs Lumbini College
Quite surprisingly favourites St.Peter’s College decided to pull out of the tournament at the last moment which gave Lumbini Vidyalaya a free pass to the quarter finals.
2nd Pre QF – Science 14 (05) vs Wesley 05 (00) :
The game was expected to be a tightly contested affair but Wesley conceded an early lead when Science College scored a try in the 5th minute. Wesley went on to dominate possession during the course of the half but they were always pinned inside their own territory which didn’t help their cause. Science, who defended valiantly managed to go into the half time break with a 5 point lead. After the resumption, the Mt.Lavinia lads increased their lead through a penalty. Wesley reduced the deficit through and unconverted try but gave away repeated penalties which were capitalized by Science College. Science opted to go for the 3 pointers to ensure they had sufficient lead to see off any plans of a Wesley comeback. Science collected their points from a try and 3 penalties while Wesley only managed to score a solitary try.
3rd Pre QF – Isipathana 17 (05) vs Thurstan 00
The 3rd pre quarter final saw Isipathana college taking on their traditional rivals Thurstan College. The Isipathana juniors despite dominating the proceedings could only muster out a solitary try in the first half while throwing away a few golden opportunities which could have increased their tally. Some hard talking by the coaching staff seemed to have done the trick as they scored 2 tries in the second half including one inside the opening minute that sealed the game in favour of them. The winners collected their points from 1 goal and 2 tries while restricting their opponents to zero.
4th Pre QF – DS Senanayake 15 (05) vs St. Johns 15 (10)
The final game for the evening saw D.S Senanyake College being given a torrid time by the lads from St.Johns. The team from Nugegoda who were clearly the underdogs on paper were always a threat out wide with their attitude of running the ball at any given time. St.Johns went on to draw first blood in the 10th minute through an unconverted try. DS however hit back soon after with a try of their own but poor concentration made them pay as they conceded another try just before the break which gave St.John’s a 10 – 05 lead at half time. The resumption saw DS dominating possession and their pressure eventually paid dividends as they scored a try just beside the posts which was converted. The lads from St. Johns however kept going firing all cylinders and scored their third try to give them 15-12 lead. With less than 5 minutes remaining DS managed to level the scores through a penalty. The game went into extra time but neither team managed to break the deadlock. With both halves of extra time too not ending the deadlock the organisers decided to call off the game and consider it as a draw. Surprisingly the organisers decided to award both DS and St. Johns a cup quarter final birth at the expense of the slot awarded for a team from Sabaragamuwa Province.
