DS Senanayake College convincingly defeated Mahanama College in the Battle of the Golds rugby encounter 39 (7T 2C) – 5 (1T) at Havelock Park.
The home side made a raft of changes as the coaching contingent decided to give youngsters a go on the big stage.
Mahanama College, an unknown commodity entered into the game expecting the worst as they took on the third-placed team in group 1A.
It took just eight minutes for the much fancied Donz to strike as prolific winger Janidu Wijerathna. He added the finishing touches to a well-worked move, dotting down in the near corner flag.
Janidu doubled his try tally, scoring his team’s second in what looked like a carbon copy of his first, diving over the whitewash to double their lead.
Both conversions were missed by Manula Peiris as he moved into the First Five-Eighth position, instead of his usual Halfback birth. (DS 10-00 MC)
The visitors struck back in surprising fashion through winger Renuja Rusara as the nippy winger added the finishing touches to a well-orchestrated move. The Mahanama forwards made headway through the heart of the Donz defence, as Jineth Bethmika spotted a hole, snipping through the blind side to set up Rusara. The extras were not added as the deficit was halved. (DS 10-05 MC)
The home team restored their lead, thanks to a try from Weerakoon. The big man was unstoppable from close range as he was set up by Peiris. The try went unconverted as the first half drew to a close.
Half time: DS Senanayake College 15 (3T) lead Mahanama College 5 (1T)
The second half was more of the same as the much favoured Donz made mincemeat out of a hapless Mahanama lineup, making easy work out of the visitors.
The Senanayakians scored 4 further tries in the second half to seal the game in favour of the home team. Weerakoon was the first to get his name on the scoresheet in the second half as he dived over from the tale of a maul to score the Donz 4th of the game. The try was converted as one-way traffic continued at the Park.
Prop Rathnasiri was the next as DS raised away to a comfortable 22-point lead. Janidu completed his hat-trick by scoring what looked like the try of the season, beating a raft of Mahanama defenders to go over.
Manula Peiris added the cherry on top of the cake as he scored after the hooter to close out the game and with it the Battle of the Golds in favour of the high-flying Donz.
Full time: DS Senanayake College 39 (7T 2C) beat Mahanama College 5 (1T)
ThePapare.com Player of the Match: Janidu Wijerathna (DS Winger)
Points Breakdown:
DS: Janidu Wijerathna 3T, Manula Peiris 1T 2C, Weerakoon 2T, Rathnasiri 1T
Mahanama: Renuja Rusara 1T
 – 5 (1T) at Havelock Park to remain unbeaten in the annual encounter.){kind=link}