Wesley College managed to secure their first win in the Singer Schools Rugby League 2018 after defeating D.S.Senanayake College 5 points to nil at Longdon Place, earlier today.
The game kicked off amidst the muddy conditions as the Double-blue’s immediately found themselves inside the DS half after the Wesley standoff, Tharindu Walpitage found good touch from the kick-off.
The wet conditions gave the players a hard time as knock-on’s and wavered passes spoiled the continuity of the game, making unforced errors seem inevitable.
Although DS had the numerical advantage from the 25th minute, after Wesley lock Trithesh Sritheysh was sent off for a high tackle, the Dons failed to capitalize. They spent most of their time inside the Wesley red-zone, playing phase after phase but just not gaining enough yardage to go over the white wash, mostly due to their close formations and lateral movements.
However, opportunities arose as penalties leaked from both sides. The inability of converting them into points created a rather dull atmosphere around Longdon Place, which resulted in the first-half ending scoreless. (Ht: Nil all)
Five minutes into the second-half and Wesley were still a man down. The other lock, Samuel Ogbebor was sent off just before lemons, after being guilty of punching the opponent in an attempt to counter ruck. DS finally showed signs of urgency in the second-half as they took penalties quick and aimed to up the tempo of the game.
Wesley on the other hand, played it outwide and spread the ball to the wings but owing to the dropped balls and miss timed passes in the centre field many promising attacks went begging. However, the Wesleyites were on point in their defence. Despite being penalised a few times for being offside, the line speed was spot on. If not for their solid defence on the try line, the visitors would’ve scored a couple of tries early on in the game.
As the final quarter of the game approached, the Dons looked to have had control with ball in hand inside the opposition half but in the 58th minute, a poor chip kick attempt by the replacement scrum-half not only lost DS possession; it also made way for Wesely’s match winning try. After collecting the ball, full-back Murshid Zubair put an excellent kick into space which his winger Kavinda Perera pounced on cleanly and sprinted his way over to touch down just slightly beside the posts, putting Wesely in the drivers seat. Zubair failed to add the extras. (WC 05-00 DS)
DS fought back hard and almost made it over the try line for the third time. Wesley’s wall of defence was too strong to breach as the visitors hopes slowly drowned. The clock struck full-time as DS knocked the ball on in their final attempt of scoring letting Wesley runaway with the victory.
Full Time : Wesley College 05 (1T) beat – 00 D.S.Senanayake College
ThePapare.com’s Player of the Match: Murshid Zubair (WC)
Points Breakdown – WC
Tries : Kavinda Perera
Bookings : Trithesh Sritheysh, Samuel Ogbebor
