The Singer U20 all-island Rugby 7’s tournament having been contested over the last two days saw its climax this evening at the Royal Complex as underdogs S Thomas’ affected a stunning 19-14 defeat to the favorites Isipathana College to take the Cup Championship home.
The finals of the Cup segment began with the naturally nimble-footed Isipathana taking on the surprise package of the lately fallen-back Thomians. The first few minutes of the match was dominated by the Mt Lavinia contingent keeping possession constantly in the opposition camp but struggling to make points. Isipathana displayed their superiority scoring the first time they crossed into Thomian territory as A Rankothge showcased his pace by running all the way from the 40m to score under the post.
Half time ended with Pathana leading 7 points to nil.
S Thomas’ who seemed to have come into the tournament with all-heart struck back in the second half with a converted try by Wijerathna. He fended off a few defenders to go all the way from the 22m line. Few minutes later, they struck again and it was Pradeep Ferdinando who put S Thomas’ in the lead for the first time leaving the Isipathana crowd subdued. Dion Dias kicked the loose ball deep into Isipathana half and Ferdinando sprinting from halfway dotted the try.
However, they couldn’t hold onto the lead for long as Pathana’s Randy Silva scored a converted try from the restart. It was a three point game in favor of the green-machine as time was ticking away. The Thomians made their killer blow in the very last minute with a converted try by B N Dissanyake. They used the forwards to push deep into Pathana square and simply worked the line with Dissanayke doing the final honours for the Thomians.
Catching up with some of the rapturous Thomian camp who had last won a 7s tournament 22 years ago, ThePapare.com spoke with Skipper Naveen Heenakankamage first.
“This is once in a lifetime opportunity, I am lost at words. I had this goal in my mind from the beginning and we worked hard towards it and Im glad we made it. We had the passion and the bond between the players which helped to go all the way. “
Thomian Coach Tavita Tulagese ‘Laga’ speaking to ThePapare.com:
“Very pleased, very pleased, boys did well and the confidence started growing match after match and their hard work paid off.” Also he also stated it is a famous win for team like S. Thomas who don’t really concentrate on the shorter version of the game, “however, this will help our planned program to this season and this will lift up the mental strength of everyone.”
Isipathana coach Nilfer Ibrahim was hearty in his appraisal of the opposition.
“Well congrats to my good friend and former team mate Laga for this win, We are actually shocked, we played so well in the semi final against St.Joseph, we did not have enough ball possession and when you look at the score board St. Thomas played a little better than us in the final”.
CLICK FOR PHOTOS – ALL ISLAND SCHOOL’S RUGBY 7’S 2016 – DAY 2
Quarter-finals
Yesterday we witnessed the top contenders this season making it through to the cup quarter finals with no hassle but the tables were turned with some surprising results today. The first match for the day was between S Thomas’ College and the defending champions St Peter’s College. The Peterites were leading 12 points to nil halfway through the second half, when the Thomians bounced back to steal the win with two converted tries. Kingswood got the better of the strong Trinitians causing another upset in this year’s tournament, winning the match 12 points to 10.
The biggest upset though was orchestrated by St Joseph’s when they beat favorites Science College. The Josephians came from behind to win 12-10 and seal their spot in the Cup Semi-finals. Isipathana College eased their way to the final defeating the hosts Royal College 15 -7.
Bowl quarterfinals took place shortly afterwards. Wesley came in short against Dharmaraja and Prince of Wales got the better off Zahira College in the 2nd Bowl quarterfinal while CWW Kannangara fell short against minnows DS Senanayke. Lalith Athulathmudali took the remaining spot in the bowl semi-finals after beating Mahanama College.
The First spot in the Shield semis was taken by Vidyartha beating St John’s College. Lumbini got the better of St Sylvester’s College while Maliyadeva College had a walk in the park against Ananda College. Thurstan after a hard-fought battle defeated the strong Pilyandala Central to seal their spot in the Shield Semi-finals.
MATCH REPLAY – ALL ISLAND SCHOOL’S RUGBY 7’S 2016 – DAY 2
Semi-finals
St Peter’s and Trinity College kick started the semi-final round. St Peter’s struggled in the first half but showed good skill in the second half to take the win 21 points to 12. Science played their plate semis against the hosts Royal College. Science College was leading 12 points to 00 in the second half but Royal stormed back scoring 12 points. But sadly for the home side they were pipped at the post with Science scoring in extra time.
First Shield semi-final was played between Vidyartha Kandy and Lumbini College. Lumbini lead 7-0 at break but Vidyartha stole the victory in the second half through two converted tries. The second semifinal was a tight battle between Thurstan and Maliyadeva. Despite leading by 5 in the half, Thurstan lost to the Kurunegala lads who stole a spot in the final.
Bowl semis saw Dharmaraja triumph over Prince of Wales with a late converted try to get to the finals and Lalith Athulathmudali sailed into the finals with a 22-7 victory over DS Senanyake College.
The much awaited cup semi-finals took place with S Thomas’ taking on Kingswood where skipper Naveen Heenakangamage scored the first try of the match with a brilliant run all the way from his own try line and Dion Dias followed up to extend their lead to 14 points. Thomians were down to six men when BN Dissanayke was sent off to the naughty chair and Kingswood made use of the one man advantage with a converted try by Lakshitha Ranaweera. The Thomians held the lead at the break and came back to finish it off with a converted try by Heenakangamage.
Isipathana took on St Joseph’s in the second cup semifinals. Wickramarathna put the Green lads in the lead through a converted try but soon after, conceded a penalty try to tie with Joes at the half. Isipathana took control of the game in the second with three quick tries. W Fernando scoring two tries and skipper Kushan Silva dotting the final one to end 22-7.
Final Round
The final round matches kicked off with the Shield final as Vidyartha dominating Maliyadeva. Leading 24-00 in the first half, Vidyartha kept adding to take Sheild championship 43-7 with Maliyadewa being awarded a penalty try just before the whistle.
In the Bowl finals Dharmaraja dominated the first half with two converted tries against Lalith Athulathmudali. Rajans had a try fest in the second half with S Perera completing his hat-trick helping his team to a staggering 52-00.
Plate finals was between heavy-weights St Peter’s and Science. Science kicked started the finals with unconverted try by Tharidu Maduranga through an initial breakthrough by his brother Thanuja. Petes bounced back with a converted try from D Dasanayka leading in the first half. Hashan Madumadawa scored twice for Science but it was Nishath Neranjan who sealed the victory 24- 7 over St Peter’s.
REPLAY – S.THOMAS’ v ISIPATHANA
