The Zahira College ‘Tankers’ muscled their way through Vidyartha College 13-10 in the week-4 clash of the Dialog Schools Rugby League, played at Maradana on Saturday (13).
The Zahirians opened the scoring in the 4th minute through penalty by half-back Basith Mahir (14). (ZCC 3-0 VCK)
The 17th minute saw home side’s winger Saldin sent to the sin-bin, and the visiting Vidyartha ‘Tigers’ capitalised on the opportunity to take the lead through a goal. (Try- Pamuditha Narayana, converted by Rusith Thamodya). (VCK 7-3 ZCC)
However, Zahira struck back soon after, with the highest points scorer of the game Basith Mahir going under the post and converting as well.
Half Time – ZCC 10-7 VCK
Soon after the re-start, Basith put over yet another penalty to set his name on the benchmark for scoring all of Zahira College’s points.
Close to 10 minutes before Full Time, Thamodya, the school’s National Football Skipper, proved his kicking ability as he slotted in a penalty to close the gap and keep scoreboard pressure. (VCK 10-13 ZCC)
Just before the final whistle, Thamodya had the chance to equalise through a penalty and setup the first drawn game of the league, but his kick unfortunately failed to bisect the post and Referee Praneeth Weranga blew the long whistle as Zahira recorded a famous win at the Maradana fortress.
Breakdown – Zahira 13 (1T 1C 2P) beat Vidyartha 10 (1T 1C 1P)
NDB Player of the Match – Basith Mahir (14) Zahira College
Points Scorers – Zahira (Basith Mahir – 1T, 1C, 2P – 13 points)
Vidyartha (Pamuditha Narayana 1T – 5 points & Rusith Thamodya 1C, 1P – 5 points)
.){kind=link}