Ananda College and Mahanama College collided in the Dialog Schools Rugby Knockouts Premier Trophy 2024 final today (13th of September) at Havelock Park.
The game was a back and forth one where the two teams exchanged the lead. But eventually it was Mahanama College who made a solid comeback in the latter parts of the second half to clinch the Premier Trophy for 2024. The final scoreline of the game was 24-21.
Both the teams started strong as they exchanged big blows from the word go. Ananda were more focused on keeping possession and building up phases while Mahanama were ready to take the risk and pounce on short bursts using their quick backline. Both the teams scored converted tries inside the first 11 minutes of the game foreshadowing the close final result of the game. Ishanka Sanjana scored the first try for Mahanama College and Navith Kannangara added the extras while Deneth Chamuditha found the whitewash for Ananda College and Rehan Attanayake converted it (MC 07 – 07 AC)
The two teams scored tries once each in the next 15 minutes once again but Ananda College took the lead when Mahanama missed the conversion and Attanayake kicked through a hard conversion with the angle. It was once again Chamuditha who scored the five points for Ananda while Kannangara scored the 2nd try for Mahanama (MC 12 – 14 AC)
Going into the half time although the lead was slender for Ananda College the momentum was clearly with them as Mahanama made a lot of errors especially when it came to the handling part of their game. They lost possession thrice in the first half from crucial positions due to knock forwards.
Half-Time : Mahanama College 12 – 14 Ananda College
Inside the first 10 minutes of the 2nd half, Ananda College managed to find the whitewash once again through Chamuditha and this time right underneath the posts as they increased their lead to 9 points after a successful conversion from Attanayake (MC 12 – 21 AC)
Right until the 55th minute of the game Ananda College called the shots of the final but things took a drastic turn for them when they were penalised for a forward pass. This simple mistake was enough to turn the pendulum in favour of Mahanama College and it led the way to a 3rd try which was scored by Chamiru Methsanda. The two extra points were added by Sithum Sandeepa who had to take over the kicking duties after Kannangara got injured. (MC 19 – 21 AC)
With just 2 points separating the two sides the action got more intense and at the same time mistakes also kept piling up. But Mandilu Hapuhinna produced a stunning run from the left of the field and gained at least 40 metres on his way to score the 4th try and become the hero of Mahanama College. The conversion didn’t go over but the 3 point buffer they created thanks to the try was enough to seal the game for Mahanama College (MC 24 – 21 AC)
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This game is a perfect example for how one small mistake can completely shift things around when two evenly matched units compete against each other. Ananda College had the advantage and the game was almost in the bag but one mistake gave a sniff to the Mahanamians and the rest is history. Hapuhinna had a disappointing first half but recovered big time to help his team get over the line thus becoming the Player of the final.
Full-Time : Mahanama College 24 (4T 2C) beat Ananda College 21 (3T 3C)
- Player of the Match : Mandilu Hapuhinna (MC)
Points Breakdown
Mahanama College : Mandilu Hapuhinna 5 Points (1 Try), Ishanka Sanjana 5 Points (1 Try), Chamiru Methsanda 5 Points (1 Try), Navith Kannangara 7 Points (1 Try 1 Conversion), Sithum Sandeepa 2 Points (1 Conversion)
Ananda College : Deneth Chamuditha 15 Points (3 Tries), Rehan Attanayake 6 Points (3 Conversions)
 at Havelock Park.){kind=link}