Another encounter of the Division 1 Segment A in the Dialog Schools Rugby League took place today (17th July) at the Bogambara Stadium in Kandy as Dharmaraja College registered a fabulous 17-15 win to beat Trinity College for the first time in history.
Dharmaraja College showed a lot of intent to put the Trinitians under pressure from the kickoff and it paid off for them as Isuru Bandara, who spotted a gap right in front of the ruck, charged through it after making a quick collection to go over for the first try. Sadeesha Weerawansha added the 2 extra points as Rajans took the early advantage (DRCK 07 – 00 TCK)
After the initial burst, both teams had their chances but failed to get points on the board. At the stroke of half time, Rajans received a penalty after a tackler was penalised for not rolling away. Luchitha Wijayaratne did the rest and added the three points as Dharmaraja walked into halftime with a 10-point buffer (DRCK 10 – 00 TCK)
In the second half, both teams made a lot of errors and Trinity continued to have trouble with their lineout as they conceded 5 turnovers thanks to crooked throws. In the 51st minute, Trinity, who came so close to the try line worked their line from left to right and some lovely passes paved the way for Sachindu Wansekara to touchdown for the try at the right corner as Trinity put some points on the board. But Anuhas Kodithuwakku missed the conversion to keep a 5-point gap (DRCK 10 – 05 TCK)
>>Photos – Dharmaraja College vs Trinity College | Dialog Schools Rugby League – 2023<<
5 minutes later the Trinitians once again came close to the whitewash and this time Lakindu Herath produced a stunning crosskick from right to left their winger Abidh Jameel made the collection and fended off the incoming Rajan tackler to cross the line and score their 2nd try making the scores equal. But unfortunately, the try of the evening was not converted as Kodithuwakku missed the conversion (DRCK 10 – 10 TCK)
Just 4 minutes before the final whistle, a poor kick from their own 22 by the Rajans gave the ball back to Trinity and they worked their line beautifully from left to right once again as the same man who scored the first try, Wansekara did well to keep his feet up in the air while getting tackled to touch the ball down and register a 3rd try for the Trinitians. Shan Althaf attempted the conversion this time and even though it was from a hard angle, he very nearly got it through but unluckily it hit the upright and bounced back into the playing field (DRCK 10 – 15 TCK)
Trailing by 5 points, Rajans then gave a last push to score a decisive try and a turnover in Trinity’s half opened the door for them. They tried to work the line and find a gap for the next 5 phases but then opted to kick and chase. A thumping tackle from Anoopa Herath then made the Trinity player lose the ball backwards and the flanker for Rajans, Ishara Wijayawardana collected the ball and just ran with every inch of speed he could generate to go under the post and level the scores. Then Shehan Rajapaksha made sure to slot in the straightforward conversion as the referee signalled for the end of the game and the whole stadium erupted. (DRCK 17 – 15 TCK)
Wijayawardana, the flanker of Dharmaraja College, who had an amazing game from minute 1, fittingly scored the match-winning try and won the NDB Player of the Match award. Trinity College only has themselves to blame and will need to sort out their lineout woes if they are to make a mark in this year’s Schools Rugby League.
Full Time : Dharmaraja College 17 (2T 1P) beat Trinity College 15 (3T)
NDB Player of the Match – Ishara Wijayawardana (DRCK)
Points Breakdown :
Dharmaraja College : Isuru Bandara 1T, Ishara Wijayawardana 1T, Sadeesha Weerawansha 1C, Luchitha Wijayaratna 1P, Shehan Rajapaksha 1C
Trinity College : Sachindu Wansekara 2T, Abidh Jameel 1T’
 at the Bogambara Stadium in Kandy as Dharmaraja College registered a fabulous 17-15 win to beat Trinity College for the first time in history.){kind=link}