Another decisive clash in the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2023 took place today (23rd of July) at the Trinity College Rugby Stadium in Pallekele as Kingswood College locked horns with St. Anthony’s College in an all-kandy affair.
The Antonians, who had the clear upper hand in the game, registered a 26-10 win with 4 tries to clinch an all-important bonus point win and keep their hopes of qualifying for the Super Round alive.
During the initial stages of the game both the sides showed a lot of speed but neither were able to find the try line. The scoring began for the day with Kingswood receiving a penalty and skipper Imanka Ishara made no error whatsoever to kick it through. (KCK 03 – 00 SACK)
Randeer Perera scored the first try for the Eagles after they worked their line from the left of the field to the right. He received the ball in the corner where he evaded the final defender beautifully by cutting back inside to go over the whitewash in the corner. St. Anthony’s skipper Sahan Keerthisiri, who had some mishaps early in the game, found some touch with a lovely angling kick from the right corner close to the 22m line. This was the last scoring chance for both teams in the first half as the referee signalled for the halftime break (KCK 03 – 07 SACK)
The Eagles, who had a disappointing first half although they had a 4-point lead, came out with an attacking mindset and scored a try inside the first 5 minutes of the 2nd half. After receiving a penalty, Keerthisiri managed to find good distance with the kick for territory and they continued the good work with the lineout which they followed up with a rolling maul for Rakesh Pillay to touchdown. Keerthisiri missed the conversion this time. (KCK 03 – 12)
St. Anthony’s managed to hit back-to-back after that try as the backline came to the party this time. They worked the ball from right to left and the overlap was created for their Wing Roshen Kumara, who ran for almost 50m which also included a lovely evasion of the Kingswood fullback, to score the 3rd try for his team. This time it was an easy kick for Keerthisiri who added the two extra points without much problem (KCK 03 – 19 SACK)
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After the initial double blow in the 2nd half, both sides had some close calls but just couldn’t find the scoring opportunity. Eagles, who were searching for the bonus point try, finally found it with another rolling maul. As St. Anthony’s lost the ball very close to the try line, Imanka Ishara tried to go for the clearance kick but could only make the kick just over their try line. This gave Eagles the opportunity to attack with the rolling maul and they easily went over via Thisara Gallange. Keerthisiri added the 2 extra points to give them a a lead of 23 points going into the last 15 minutes (KCK 03 – 26 SACK)
Kingswood College managed to register a consolation try thanks to their talismanic number 8 Ihsan Inoon. The powerhouse of a player, who had a very good outing although the team faltered, took advantage by taking the ball out of a rolling maul close to the whitewash and he overpowered the remaining defence ahead of him in a 3 on 1 situation. Skipper Ishara who also had a decent game, kicked the conversion through to add the 2 extra points (KCK 10 – 26 SACK)
This win means that St. Anthony’s College are still alive in the league with a game to go but they will have to wait and watch what happens in the next game between D.S. Senanayake College and St. Joseph’s College. Even if that result goes in their favour, the Eagles need to beat S. Thomas’ College next week. Ravindu Welagedara who featured in a lot of strike moves for the winners and made some good runs was adjudged NDB Bank Player of the Match.
St. Anthony’s College 26 (4T, 3C) beat Kingswood College 10 (1T, 1C, 1P)
NDB Bank Player of the Match :- Ravindu Welagedara (SACK)
Points Breakdown :-
St. Anthony’s College :- Sahan Keerthisiri (3C), Rakesh Pillay (1T), Roshen Kumara (1T), Thisara Gallange (1T), Randeer Perera (1T)
Kingswood College :- Imanka Ishara (1C 1P), Ihsan Inoon (1T)
