Moratu Maha Vidyalaya comprehensively defeated St. Thomas’ College Matale 25 points to 03 in their Milo Chairmen’s Trophy final played earlier this evening at the Racecourse stadium.
St. Thomas’ dominated early proceedings in the Chairman’s Trophy final, with Kumara Dharamasena piercing the posts after Moratu Maha Vidyalaya defence was deemed offside in the breakdown by referee Ajith Kumara. (STCM 03 – 00 MMV)
St. Thomas’ continued their dominance in fringes as Moratu Maha Vidyalaya defence was on song while keeping Thomians at bay. Moratu Maha Vidyalaya made few counter attacks with their speedy backs which brought the momentum back to them.
The next scoring opportunity came in the brink of half time as Moratu Maha Vidyalaya played few phases with their forwards and finally sent the ball wide to their full back Nimesh Chathuranga as he found the white wash and skipper Niranjan Ravindran bisected the uprights to put his team in front. (STCM 03 – 07 MMV)
In the final play in the first half Moratu Maha Vidyalaya had another scoring opportunity when the Thomians were offside inside their red zone and skipper Niranjan Ravindran opted for the sticks but the direction of the kick went astray.
Half Time – St. Thomas College Matale 03 (1P) – 07 (1T,1C) Moratu Maha Vidyalaya
Thomians dominated the first half possession but in the second half Moratu Maha Vidyalaya had the upper hand and managed to increase their lead when a perfect draw and pass from Niranjan Ravindran opened it up for Samalka Rumesh to score while the conversion by Niranjan Ravindran was off target. (STCM 03 – 12 MMV)
Thomians defence was tested regularly as they leaked penalties in quick succession. They got a few warnings from referee Kumara and finally was penalized when Damindu Dassanayake was sent to the naughty chair for not releasing the tackler in the breakdown. Moratu Maha Vidyalaya opted at the stick and skipper Niranjan Ravindran perfectly bisected the uprights to increase their lead. (STCM 03 – 15 MMV)
Moratu Maha Vidyalaya put the icing on the cake in this error ridden game when Ravindu Fernando made a powerful run through the Thomian defence to score near the left upright and skipper Niranjan Ravindran added the extras. (STCM 03 – 22 MMV)
In the dying stages of the game Moratu Maha Vidyalaya added another 3 points to their tally by the skipper Niranjan Ravindran to clinch the Milo Chairmen’s Trophy 2018.
Full Time – St. Thomas’ College Matale 03 (1P) – 25 (3T,2C,2P) Moratu Maha Vidyalaya
ThePapare.com Player of the match: Niranjan Ravindran
Referee: Ajith Kumara
Score Breakdown
St. Thomas’ College Matale – Penalty from Kumara Dharamasena
Send offs: (Yellow) – Damindu Dassanayake
Moratu Maha Vidyalaya – Tries from Nimesh Chathuranga, Samalka Rumesh, Ravindu Fernando. Conversion & Penalties by Niranjan Ravindran (2C,2P)
