Trinity College Kandy made their intentions clear for the 2015 run with a comfortable victory in the season opener against their fellow townsmen Dharmaraja College 50-37 at Pallekelle Rugby Stadium this evening.
Trinity having had a good run on paper last year were all out to live up to the standard of their predecessors while Dharmaraja College having survived the Division I last season were aiming for the top five in the league division.
Dharmaraja had the opportunity to get the first points on the board for the season which came through a successful drop goal attempt by full back Weerasekara who utilized the open space to go for goal. The lions reply came on the restart resorting to their set-piece action to go wide towards full back Saranga Gunathilake who crossed over the right flag to bring in the first points for the year for the red,gold,blue. (3-5)
Saranga’s try was followed by center Sachintha Dissanayaka who sped through the collapsing Dharmaraja front line stepped in ward to the last Rajan player covering almost 55 meters to score under the posts (10-3). Saranga Gunathilake added the two points with ease. (12-3)
With tries being scored at one end of the grounds, Dharmaraja brought in their share to the points table as Weerasekara put through a penalty kick to take his team to 6 points (12-6). The try scorer Sachintha Dissanayaka was this time lucky and had very little work to do as his wing man Isuru Rathnayaka offloaded the ball to Dissanayaka giving him the opportunity to score his second and the team’s third for the day (17-6). Gunathilake failed to add the two points.
The Dharmaraja flankers were pushing the Trinity line towards their attacking 22m. They succeeded however towards the 25th minute as flyhalf Sandun Perera stepped half a dozen incoming defenders to score under the posts for the Rajans. Weerasekara added the extras to bring the score to a competitive deficit (17-13).
Trinity’s line had superb communication as the next try for the home lads came through yet another set piece as flyhalf passed the ball on to center Ryan Weerakoon who nipped it onto wing-three Geshan Pethiyagoda to score on the outside. (22-13) Saranga Gunathilake was successful this time in adding the extras. (24-13)
Minutes before play was halted for lemons, the Rajans pack took advantage of the higher pack weight when they shoved a 15 m scrum to the try line to score their second try. Lock forward Manishka Kumara scored the try whilst Weerasekara converted (24-20)
Half Time 24 – 20 (2G 2T to 1DG, 1P, 2G)
The second half a much more aggressive Dharmaraja outfit trying to spot the loopholes in their counterpart’s play to score. However the hosts got momentum from the start of the second essay in the very first minute as a quick pass from the scrum half from the line out to Ryan Weerakoon made him sprint his way to the try line without any hassle. (20-29) Gunathilake added the extras (31-20)
The Rajans replied once more, as this time it was Weerasekara who crossed over breaking the line of defense to score which was later converted by him (27-31). This followed two back to back tries from the Lions, the first being scored by #8 Rukshan Dhammapala who executed a #8 break with perfection and the latter being the sole effort of Saranga Gunathilake. Saranga was on top of his game this evening as he went on showcase his true potential when he picked up an open ball covered almost 80 meters to score under. Saranga was able to convert both tries. (45-27).
The man in form, Gunathilake crossed over for the third time receiving an offload from his wing three-quarter to take the Trinity score to 50 points. (50-27) The Rajans fight back came towards the end of play with two back to back unconverted tries, but it did not suffice to change the game in their favor. The final score read 50-37 giving the hosts their first win.
Both teams equally competent and the visitors showcased a good game of rugby way beyond expectations. The two teams fielded in young sides and many positives can be taken from this encounter for the upcoming fixtures.
ThePapare names Saranga Gunathilake as the Player of the match for his three tries and his skills shown in the position of full back. Dharmaraja’s full back Weerasekara showed much composure as a place kicking and the Dharmaraja flanker Kadupitiya was the highlight in the Maroon jersey
D. Nimal Refereed.
Score breakdown.
Trinity 5G, 3T (Tries by Saranga Gunathilake 4, Rukshan Dhammapala, Sachintha Dissanayaka 2, Ryan Weerakoon & 5 conversions by Saranga Gunathilake) Gunathilake 15+20 35 points
Dharmaraja 1DG,1P, 3G,2T ( Tries by B.D Udangamunwa 2, V.D.M. Weerasekara , C.H.S. Perera,Manushka Kumara & Conversions,DG & P by V.D.M. Weeraskera
