Ananda College Colombo held on to complete a nail-biting 26-22 victory over a valiant Lumbini outfit in Royal Complex.
Both teams scored four tries in what was a very entertaining clash, but the conversions made the difference in the end as Ananda hung on for the win.
Ananda College started with a bang, scoring the opening try after just five minutes thanks to some impressive play from the backline, with winger U.Rathnayake starting the move with a cut inside and scrumhalf G.Perera applying the finishing touches. (AC 05-00 LC)
Lumbini were soon back on level terms after finding themselves with an attacking line-out five metres out, following an earlier interception.
A couple of quick passes did the trick as Sachin Eranga stretched over the line to put them on the board. (AC 05-05 LC)
Lumbini struck again almost instantly after the restart through captain Yeshira Grero. the winger collecting a long pass out wide before selling a dummy to flummox two Ananda defenders and crossing over. (AC 05-10 LC)
Matters were all square again within minutes, however, as Ananda responded with their second try through big man V. Rathnayake, who made it over the line courtesy of a pick and drive from close range, following a rolling maul. Banuka Rajapakshe added the extras easily to give Ananda the lead at half time. (AC 12-10 LC)
Half Time: Ananda College 12(2T 1C) – 10(2T) Lumbini College
Lumbini started the second half with a bang – just what the coach would have ordered from his troops. After building a series of phases, Kasun Rajapakshe burst through a gap and dotted down after the center had made the initial break. (AC 12-15 LC)
Five minutes later, Ananda had their third try of the evening courtesy of G.Perera on the wing. It was a simple backline move to the left that allowed the Center combination to suck in defenders and offload it to the speedster, who went over in the corner to give his side some breathing space. (AC 19-15 LC)
Banuka Rajapakshe looked to have made absolutely sure of the result six minutes from time when he sold a massive dummy to create acres of space before running over unopposed for his first try of the evening and he added the extras himself. (AC 26-15 LC)
Lumbini responded last in the 67th minute. Chamupathi made a couple of barnstorming runs in midfield to get his side on the front foot. The ball was recycled out to the left and after a couple of neat offloads, Sachin Eranda showed pace to dot down in the corner. Chamupathi added the extras as the referee blew the whistle for full time seconds after the restart. (AC 26-22 LC)
Full Time Ananda College 26(4T 3C) – 22(4T 1C) Lumbini College
ThePapare.com Player of the Match – Banuka Rajapakshe (Ananda)
Score Breakdown
Ananda College
G.Perera(2T)
Banuka Rajapakshe(1T 3C)
U.Rathnayake(1T)Lumbini College
Sachin Eranda(2T)
Yeshira Crero(1T)
Kasun Rajapakshe(1T)
Dulakshana Chamupathi(1C)
