The opening game of Week 5 in the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2023 concluded today at Havelock Park, with the home D. S. Senanayake College securing a nail biting 31-27 win over Kingswood College. With this, the Donz have now registered 3 wins in 4 games, while Kingswood have lost 4 games in a row.
The home team started off aggressively as they managed to touchdown for the first try inside the very first minute. Their fullback Menura Perera produced a stunning kick and chase, but got tackled a few metres short, with the half back Manura Peiris supporting him brilliantly and taking the ball from Menura to get over the try line. In the absence of Shehanda Umagiliyage, Janidu Wijeratne was given the kicking duties for D. S., and he added the two extra points easily. (DSS 07 – 00 KCK)
Just a few moments after the first try, the Donz found the whitewash once again with another kick and chase, but this time from their Skipper Jayathu Rajaratne, who was unstoppable. Wijeratne added the two extra points with a successful conversion to increase their lead further (DSS 14 – 00 KCK)
With two tries inside the first 10 minutes, the Donz were in a very strong position, and to make things worse for the visitors, the home team scored another try before the 20 minute mark. This time, they made maximum use of a scrum they received inside the Kingswood half as the Donz’ number 8 Thiven Perera produced a strong run and gave out a solid offload to Manura Peiris, who scored his personal 2nd and the team’s 3rd try of the day. Wijeratne made 3 out of 3 successful kicks for him to add 2 more points. (DSS 21 – 00 KCK)
Kingswood struggled heavily in the first 20 minutes, and it looked like they would have a very long day ahead for them with the pace D. S. were scoring at. However, the visiting Skipper Imanka Ishara produced a moment of brilliance for his team with a tremendous run, which saw him cut back inside to find the first gap to accelerate, and then a little shuffle outside of the next defender to find more running space. He then gave the pass out to Anuda Sikurajapathi, who had no trouble whatsoever to score the first try for Kingswood, which was definitely a much needed one. Skipper Ishara kicked a lovely angled conversion through to add 2 valuable points for them. (DSS 21 – 07 KCK)
Kingswood College had another opportunity before the half-time break, but they unfortunately did not make use of the penalty they received inside the D. S. half. They opted to go for the 3 points rather than opting to go for the try, and Ishara missed the penalty as the Referee signalled for lemons.
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After finding much needed momentum to close out the 1st half, Kingswood started the 2nd half strongly as they scored a 2nd try within the first 5 minutes after the resumption. After receiving a penalty inside the 22m territory of D. S., Afthab Asmi took the quick tap and gave the ball to Ihsan Inoon, who powered his way over the line to bring the visitors right back into this encounter. Ishara then converted the try as the gap between the sides was just down to 7 points. (DSS 21 – 14 KCK)
Kingswood College then continued their momentum further as they received a penalty in kickable distance for a not rolling away infringement, and Skipper Ishara added 3 more points as the visitors were just a single try away from taking the lead in the match. (DSS 21 – 17 KCK)
With the boys from Kandy getting ever so close, D. S. Senanayake College needed something special and that is exactly what Peiris the half back delivered.
After receiving the ball, he kicked it towards the left hand corner of the field and then chased it with unreal pace make the collection and go over to register a hat trick of tries, the 3rd in this season for the Donz.
Wijeratne kicked his 4th successful conversion of the day as their lead was restored back into double digits. (DSS 28 – 17 KCK)
Soon after D. S. scored their bonus point try, the visiting team managed to hit back with a try of their own thanks to Inoon, who went over for his 2nd try of the game. Ishara missed a relatively hard conversion as Kingswood missed out on 2 valuable points. (DSS 28 – 22)
With Kingswood just one converted try away from gaining the lead, the Donz were desperately searching for an opportunity to score, and that error they were looking for came from a line off side advantage which Kingswood conceded. Rajaratne opted to go for the 3 pointer without any hesitation and Wijeratne added the all important points to keep his 100% kicking record alive. (DSS 31 – 22)
In the dying moments of the game, Kingswood gave D. S. another scare when Dewmin Hewage scored a 4th try after a brilliant run from Pramod Fernando, disturbing the defence of the Donz. The conversion did not go through once again, and Kingswood needed another try to turn the result in their favour. (DSS 31 – 27 KCK)
Kingswood had one last chance after that try and they managed to enter the D. S. half, even receiving a penalty, but unfortunately were unable to script a memorable comeback as they conceded a penalty and gave the ball back to D. S. Senanayake College, who did not take any risk and kicked the ball out of play as the referee blew for the final whistle.
FULL TIME :- D. S. Senanayake College 31 (4T, 4C,1P) beat Kingswood College 27 (4T,2C,1P)
NDB Bank Player of the Match :- Manura Peiris (DSS)
Points Breakdown :
D. S. Senanayake College :- Manura Peiris (3T), Janidu Wijeratne (4C 1P), Jayathu Rajaratne (1T)
Kingswood College :- Imanka Ishara (2C 1P), Ihsan Inoon (2T), Anuda Sikurajapathi (1T), Dewmin Hewage
