The final match of the first round which was an away game for S. Thomas College ended up with a 30 (5T, 1C, 1P) – 17 (2T, 2C, 1P) win over the Eagles at Nittawela Grounds.
It was a battle of who remains in the cup competition and who go down for plate competition; St. Anthony’s became the plate runners-up last year and are yet again left to fight for the plate after today’s loss.
A tailor made condition for rugby as the sun was hiding from the hills, and more shouts at Bogambara and Pallekele. Neuman Dilan’s team started well but too many knock-ons and giving off sides in the defensive line has been a real issue for the hosts.
The first point came in the first quarter from Ashwantha Herath’s boots for the visitors with a 30m penalty. Soon after the Thomians extended their lead with No8 Jayathilake scoring the first try despite even though they couldn’t score a single try in week 4 against Royal. Herath found touch with conversion.(SACK 00 – STC 10)
Eagles responded immediately with a brilliant team try coming all the way from their own 22m. Fly half Viraj Naveen scored under the post and Madhuwantha Kumara added the extras. Kumara however, did not have his best game as he could not find touch in three penalties. S. Thomas forwards on the other hand enjoyed the running rugby, the front row players were brilliant with handling skills. Hooker De Silva was outstanding perhaps it was his best game in the season thus far. (SACK 07 – 10)
As the intensity level arose St. Thomas prop S. D. Rathnayaka managed to go through the try line. Minute before the half time Ashwantha Herath made a stunning 60m solo try, this perhaps might be the try of the week or even the season as he stepped 2 and fended 3 defenders. St. Anthony’s had two chances in the opposite red zone but could not finish in a try but had a penalty before the half time.
Half Time : SACK 10 (1T, 1C, 1P) – STC 20 (3T, 1C, 1P)
In the second half the Thoimians dominated the game as the two of the Eagles players were yellow carded. One was three minutes before the halftime and the other in the early second half. Thomian Jurampathy the center, came in to action making some good yards but was a little late on his off loads. With 13 men on the field for some minutes, the Antonians defended their hearts out. Nevertheless, they could not stop the hooker De Silva crossing over for the bonus point try. (SACK 10 – STC 25)
S.A Weerasekera and K.B. Amarakoon played a decent game but it was the center Ashan Weerawardene who sneaked through the defense to score the next try for the hosts. Kumara added the extras. The game played out even as two Thomians were also sent to the sin-bin, however it did not affect the visitors as S. Samuel scored the final try coming from the naughty chair.
Full time : SACK 17 (2T, 2C, 1P) – STC 30 (5T, 1C, 1P)
ThePapare player of the match – P.H De Silva (Hooker) & Ashwantha Herath (Center) from STC
