Trinity managed to overcome science in their first round two game held at Pallekelle last evening.
Science started off with “go” forward ball testing the Trinity defense earlier on with the hope of finding loop holes and drew first blood in the 4th minute through a 22m penalty. The early pressure the visitors had built resulted in the first try of the game scored by Science through their speedy three quarters who spotted the disorganized three quarter line of their counterparts allowed lock forward N.R. Fernando to eventually score. Though their goal kicker Singhe missed out on the conversion the visitors had an early eight point lead.
The visitors failed to capitalize on this early lead as Trinity slowly started settling into the game. Skipper Tarinda scored the first points of the game for the home team through a penalty. (08-03)
He continued from his last week’s performance and stepped his way through the clueless Science defense and threw a long pass to Sachintha Dissanayaka in the right corner to score the first try for the Lions. Ratwatte’s corner flag conversion helped the home team to take the lead with 5 minutes to go in the first half (10-08)
The Lion’s annihilation continued as Trinity with the forwards making good ground, it was the open Side Flanker JD Perera who leaped over for the under the post try for the Red, Gold and Blue jerseys. Following another attempt by their forwards, this time on the lineout as Sakalasooriya gave threw a short ball to their #8 Isuru Rangala who shoved off the three Science players off to score the third try for the Lions. Both conversions went through as Trinity went into half time with a comfortable lead. (24-8)
The second half was a continuation of the dominance posed by Trinity and science could not recover from the damage done to them in the first half. However the visitors from Mount Lavinia reconciled with a penalty in the starting minutes of the second half off the boot of Singhe (24-11) but it did not suffice to stop the Trinity quarter backs from running a mock when given space. They were threatening with ball in hand. Saranga Gunathilake went over for a converted try which was worked through one of Trinity’s set pieces. (31-11) this enabled the home team to gather a vital bonus point.
Science College was baffled by the skilled and far superior Trinity outfit who executed the game plan very well. Science scored another try finally managing to breach the Trinity defense. There were different opinions of the legitimacy of the try awarded by referee D Nimal.
Trinity added the cherry on top of the cake when flanker Umesh Samarasekara crossed over for a try which was converted off the boot of Tarinda Ratwatte to take away the game 38-16. It was a convincing victory for the Trinity Lions as they continue to be unbeaten at home. Trinity tried on a few changes to the starting lineup. However, they had to quickly switch back on to the usual line up due to early pressure posed by the visitors.
This is a good start for the second round and Trinitians will still keep their hopes alive for the league title. The weeks to come in the schools rugby league will be interesting.
ThePapare values #8 Isuru Rangala to be the player of the Game.
Score Break Down. Trinity 38 (5G 1P – Tries; Sachintha Dissanayaka, JD Perera, Isuru Rangala, Saranga Gunathilake, Umesh Samarasekara/ 5 Conversions & 1 Penalty (13) Tarinda Ratwatte) to Science 16 (2T 2P – Tries M.R.I. Fernando, KWI Viraj & 2 Penalties by R.S.P.C Singhe)
