DS Senanayake College made it two-out-of-two, — thanks to a hat-trick from Jayathu Rajaratna — defeating Wesley College — 20 (3T 1C 1P) – 29 (5T 2C) — in a thrilling encounter of the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2023 worked off at the Royal Complex.
The Les-Blue made three changes while the Donz made a single change as the two teams battled it out on a wet evening at the Royal Complex.
Wesley, with everything to play for in their quest to secure their elusive first ‘W’ came out of the blocks early, scoring the opening points of the game off the boot of De Zilva as DS were penalized at the breakdown. (WC 03-00 DS)
Conceding early did not jitter DS as they struck back through a sublime try thanks to Halfback Peiris. The nippy number-9 found a dog leg in the Wesley kick chase as he made a line break, finding skipper Rajaratna on his shoulder to score the opening try of the game.
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Umagiliyage added the extras as the hosts were dealt a hammer blow following their superior start to the game. (WC 03-07 DS)
Skipper Rajaratna scored a solo effort from inside his half as his second was the highlight of the first half. The Center’s chipped and chased, beating Halfback Lye to the ball, and diving on the ball to score the try of the match.
Umagiliyage failed with the extras as skipper Rajaratna was the star of the first half. (WC 03-12 DS)
Half time: Wesley College 03 (1P) trail DS Senanayake College 12 (2T 1C)
DS began the second half from where they left off.
Nippy Halfback Peiris sparked the Donz following a break and it was he who added the finishing touch, diving over to score their third.
Peiris snuck through a gap on the fringe, stepping by the last defender to score beside the posts and putting a cushion between the two teams. Umagiliyage had the opportunity to extend the lead, however, the Five-eighth skewed the kick off the tee. (WC 03-17 DS)
Wesley College were woken up after conceding for the third time as Fullback Peiris took matters into his own hands, snipping through a fringe to score.
DS were unhappy with the referee at the breakdown, however, the game went on as Fullback Peiris pounced on the opportunity to score and register the Double Blue’s first try in a game and a half.
De Zilva’s conversion from the touchline didn’t have the legs to pierce the posts, leaving Wesley in single figures. (WC 08-17 DS)
The home team scored their second in the 51st minute of the game, as deficit was cut to 2-points.
Wesley forwards, played their part as Chamod Nimsara dived over under the post to score and spur Wesley on. De Zilva made no mistake this time, as the game blew into life. (WC 15-17 DS)
Wesley’s momentum was short-lived as the Umagiliyage’s penalty goal, fell short, only for a Wesley lad to clear his lines, however, the ball was gathered on by his teammate from in front of him, conceding a brain-freeze penalty.
This penalty was quickly taken by skipper Rajaratna as he found Umagiliyage in the corner two passes later as the Five-eighth dived over in the corner, rectifying his miss from the tee. The try went unconverted, however, DS kept Wesley at bay. (WC 15-22 DS)
Wesley’s third of the game came through a rolling maul, that mauled the DS defenders from near the 50-meter line, as Hooker Siddeek Abdullah crashed over strongly.
De Zilva’s mix bag of a day from the boot did not aid Wesley’s progress as the Number 10 failed to add the extras, leaving the hosts trailing by 2. (WC 20-22 DS)
Wesley Fullback, Peiris saw yellow for Wesley as the youngster showed decent towards the referee’s call.
DS skipper and NDB player of the Match, Rajaratna made full use of the single-man advantage as he found himself running through the heart of the Wesley defense to score his third and secure the game following the conversion off the boot of Umagiliyage.
This try secured the game and with it, the bonus point win for the Donz on their quest to qualify for the next round.
Full time: Wesley College 20 (3T 1C 1P) lost to DS Senanayake College 29 (5T 2C)
NDB Player of the Match: Jayathu Rajaratna (DS Center)
Points Breakdown:
Wesley College: Peiris 1T, Siddeek Abdullah 1T, Chamod Nimsara 1T, De Zilva 1C 1P
DS Senanayake College: Jayathu Rajaratna 3T, Peiris 1T, Umagiliyage 1T 2C
 – 29 (5T 2C) -- in a thrilling encounter of the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2023 worked off at the Royal Complex. ){kind=link}