Pioneers of schools rugby, Kingswood College Kandy scored an overwhelmingly comfortable 29 (3 goals, 1 try, 1 penalty) against 10 (1 goal, 1 penalty) to defeat Science College Mt Lavinia at Bogambara Stadium.
Kingswood started the game with a positive mind set with the recorded victory 50-10 last week over defending champions Dharmaraja. On the other hand Science lost to St. Peter’s after a close battle of 27-22. Weather was a crucial factor as the heavy wind favored Kingswoodians throughout the first half. They managed to capitalize the opportunity by gaining the territory by a brilliant set of kicks by skipper Asela Wijesinghe. On the other hand Science played some slow rugby and they lost several scoring opportunities due to strong Kingswood defense.
Just after few minutes of the whistle, Shezan Sally of Kingswood found the touch at the 5 meters from the try line. Taking the advantage Sally himself managed to invade the try line near the left corner flag. Asela did no mistake with adding the extra 2 points to the board. After that Kings invaded the attacking 22 meter line more than 3 times, but they failed to rotate the score board due to silly handling errors. In the 15th minute Kingswood was awarded with a 30 meter penalty, but Asela failed to add the 3 points.
Next few minutes of the game saw both teams slowing down and Kingswood showed some dominance with some powerful kicking which made the difference. Just before half time Inthisham Jaleel found the touch within the 22 meter line. Kingswood was awarded with a line out due to a crooked throw by Science. Kingswood prop forward managed to touch the try line through a mind blowing 15 meters rolling maul.
Half Time Kingswood leading 14-0
2nd half started under a drizzle where both teams found little bit difficult to handle the ball.
After just 5 minutes Science was awarded with a 22 meter penalty for offside play by Kingswoodians. R.I Fernando managed to turn the score board on for Science. With that momentum Science started countless attacking plays during the first stages of the second half. Brutal Karunathilaka managed to invade Kingswood try line under the post capitalizing a penalty tap kick where Wijesooriya made no mistake with the conversion. Scores were 14-10 when Kingswood skipper Asela went for a place kick when they awarded with a penalty due to off side play. But he failed to increase the gap to 7 points. After 10 minutes replacement Chathu Senevirathna managed to put on a 22 meter penalty.
Towards the latter stages Kingswood displayed their usual attacking play. Stealing the ball from the opposition Sally dashed through the Science defense for over 40 meters and passed over to Hirantha Amila where he touched right under the post for an easy try.
Asela made no mistake with the conversion. Kingswood had to play rest of the match with only 14 players after Raveen Paranagama was sin binned due to a dangerous tackle. But that did not bother the Kingswoodins too much as Science failed to display an attacking play towards the end of the second half. Two minutes to close Inthisham Jaleel grabbed the ball from about 30 meters and touched the try line by himself. Asela had the distance but not the direction with the conversion.
Full Time Kingswood- 29 Science-10
Ananda Kasthuriarachchi-The Kingswood Coach
“Our boys did well and a big credit also should go to Science since they played open fast rugby. Science was the first and only team that played open rugby so far in the tournament against Kingswood. Look forward to play quality rugby in the next match as well.
ThePapare player of the match- Shezan Sally
