The first match for St. Peter`s College in the Singer League 2014 kicked off sharp at 4.30 pm today at their home lawn CR&FC against Kingswood College, Kandy.
Kingswood College having the advantage of the recorded victory last year set foot with high expectations nevertheless the Peterites were equal to the task. But scattering all the expectations the match concluded when both teams had to settle for a draw at full time when the scores read 14-14.
Three minutes after the kick off the St. Peter`s College managed to get the party started when the Peterite flanker Nishon Perera intercepted a pass of the Kingswood forwards and dashed through to lay the ball on the ground right under the post to score their first try. Shamri Burah making no mistake in sailing the ball through the uprights put the home team on lead inviting pressure in to the minds of Kandy boys. (SPC- 07 KCK- 00)
After a brilliant start by the home team, both the teams were taking their chances but failed to convert them in to scoring opportunities. Both Kingswood and the Peterites were struggling with their line outs and proved the point that set pieces in the game are very important.
After the brilliant start by the home team, the pressure was right up in the minds of the Kingswood boys. In the twenty-second minute with a brilliant passage of play Kingswood third row Thelawadana passing the ball to the winger Jaleel who made no mistake in scoring the try on the right corner to help them to get off the mark. With a successful conversion off Wijesinghe`s boots the Kandy boys were right back in the game. (SPC- 07 KCK- 07)
With pressure building up in the minds of everyone, it was game of rugby worth watching. Kingswood showed signs of handling the pressure at ease when they scored their second try just few minutes after their first. In the twenty-fifth minute of the game, Maliyagoda handed the ball over to the second row Weerasekara who was a sight to watch as he dashed forward cutting through the defences of the Colombo boys to touch down the ball right under the post. Wijesinghe made no mistake in bringing full value to the try when he helped the ball sail right through the uprights. Kingswood lead the game for the first time. (SPC-07 KCK -14)
It was a beautiful sight to watch two school teams playing at their best. After the Kandy boys lead the game, the Peterite fly-half Shamri Burah created many opportunities and open spaces in the game, however he lacked support to convert them in to scoring opportunities. With intense pressure building up two Kingswood players were yellow carded during the first passage of play. First to go was the half-back Kumara and minutes after Udagalahitiyawa followed him. Yet, the visitors managed to secure their lead and outsmart the home-team.
Half Time Scores – SPC-07 KCK-14
During the second passage of play, it was time for the Peterites to change their approach with the Kandy boys who were fast and agile on the field. Nevertheless the visitors were right on to counter attack. Both teams struggled to convert plays in to scoring opportunities which would have bought down a different story if they had.
St. Peter`s College is known for its talent in rising from the dead. Proving the fact right in the sixty- seventh minute the Peterite driving force Kevin Dixon scored off a try on the right corner with a brilliant passage of play. Burah putting the ball in to the sky bought the home team back in to the game when they levelled the score board. (SPC-14 KCK-14)
It was indeed a pity to see three yellow cards raised in one game when the Peterite Skipper was also carded by the referee before the end of play.
Bringing on the crowd in to the side lines of the game both teams were equally backed up with immense support. Playing some spectacular rugby that was filled with talent and skill the school boys from both sides outdid each other and it was indeed heartening to see such levels of rugby. The referee blew the whistle for full time with the game at a draw. Leaving aside everyone`s expectations aside, both the teams provided a grand start to the Singer league 2014 dishing out a glimpse of things to come.
Full Time – SPC -14 KCK -14
ThePapare Player of the Mactch – St.Peter`s College Fly-half Shamri Burah
