Dharmaraja College got themselves back in the A-Division with a nail biting 21-14 victory over Sumangala College at the Pallekele Rugby Stadium, earlier this evening (29th June).
As expected, this was a fast-paced and entertaining affair with both sides giving the ball plenty of air but the visitors, Dharmaraja, were well-deserved winners in the end as they outscored Sumangala by three tries to two.
The result indicates that Dharmaraja will secure themselves an A – Division spot for the season of 2020 while Sumangala will have another year to battle on in the B Division after having lost all their plate matches.
The home side, Sumangala, opened scoring in the fourth minute when some poor tactical kicking from the hosts allowed the dangerous full-back Umesh Weerakoon to counter-attack, before stepping on the outside of the winger bundling over the whitewash. The full-back converted his own try for a 7-0 lead. (DRCK 07-00 SSCK)
That try appeared to shake the Rajans out of their early slumber however, and they soon found themselves back on level terms. Tharindu Kapuwatta carried the ball up from a maul before linking up with third row forwards as they entered the 22.
A penalty was awarded, and Vishal Udangamuwa took it quickly, launching at the back-tracking defense before crossing under the posts to score. Sauyma Wijesiri added the extras with ease. (DRCK 07-07 SSCK)
Dharmaraja were well and truly awake now, and it took just six minutes for the visitors to bag their second try and take the lead. From a lineout just outside the opposition 22, the ball was flung out wide where Harsha Rodrigo was waiting to pick and drop over the try-line. Sauyma Wijesiri again added the easy conversion. (DRCK 14-07 SSCK)
There was one more chance for Dharmaraja to add to their tally before half-time after they were awarded a penalty in a kickable area and Sauyma Wijesiri failed to slot it through to make it 14-07 heading into the break.
Half Time; Dharmaraja College 14(2T 2C) – 07(1T 1C) Sumangala College
It took just 10 minutes for the Sumangala lads to tie things up in the second half. A simple shift out wide that ended with Mahesh Kavinda picking the ball up off the ground and diving over the line for his second try of the evening to make it 14-all with the Umesh Weerakoon conversion going through the posts. (DRCK 14-14 SSCK)
The match continued to ebb and flow, however, on the brink of the full-time whistle Dharmaraja regained the lead thanks to some great work from Tharindu Kapuwatta. The winger collected a bullet pass right on the touch line and kicked a cheeky little chip over the defense before regathering the ball and passing it to Kapuwatta, who cut inside and dotted down next to the posts. Sauyma Wijesiri was on target yet again making it 21-14 as the referee brought the game to a rest.
Full Time; Dharmaraja College 21(3T 3C)-14(2T 2C) Sumangala College
- ThePapare.com Player of the Match – Tharindu Kapuwatta (DRCK)
Score Breakdown
Dharmaraja College – Vishal Udangamuwa (1T), Harsha Rodrigo (1T), Tharindu Kapuwatta (1T), Sauyma Wijesiri (3C)
Sri Sumangala College – Mahesh Kavinda (1T), Umesh Weerakoon (1T 2C)
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