St. Peter’s College ended the first round with resounding victory as they cruised past Vidyartha College 66 points to 10 in their Dialog Schools Rugby League 2023 encounter, worked off at Bambalapitiya.
St. Peter’s College had the the ideal start to game when a set piece move worked off well for Sudesh Jayawickrama, when he made a perfect pass to his centre partner Yumeth Shihara to go over under the posts.
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The home side scored again with the winger Pasindu Bandara cruised over for his first try as he finished a back line move sharply in the corner. Fullback Kushan Tharindu converted both tries with ease for the home side. (SPC 14 – 00 VCK)
Vidyartha came back to the game strong by using their forwards, when lock forward Helana Wijetunge scored from the back of a rolling maul. (SPC 14 – 05 VCK)
The Bamba brigade instantly responded when Tharindu broke the Tigers’ defence with his silky stepping, and fended off the last defender to score under the post. A few minutes later, the Peterites forwards came in to the game with a rolling maul, but they quickly changed the tactics as No. 08 Shanuka Perera broke away from the maul and forced his way through to score the bonus point try. Kushan Tharindu continued with his successful kicking performance by slotting over both conversions. (SPC 28 – 05 VCK)
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The Peterites ended the first half on a high when Vidyartha College overthrew a line out, and the Peterites collected the loose ball, afterwhich a few quick passes to Pasindu Bandara ended a flowing move with the fifth try for the home side.
Half Time: St. Peter’s College 35 (5T,5C) – Vidyartha College 05 (1T)
St. Peter’s continued to play a fast-paced game in the second half when Jayawickrama eased past the Tigers’ defence through his speed and power when he linked up with his fullback Tharindu to open the scoring in the second half.
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Vidyartha pulled a try back through Sadew Gamage after a period of sustained pressure from the Tigers as they played a series of pick-and-gos before finding the whitewash. (SPC 42 – 10 VCK)
The momentum continued to swing towards the Peterites, and it was quick thinking from electric replacement scrum half Praneeth Silva to take a tap penalty just offside the 40-meter line to go over for an easy run-in, which caught the Vidyartha defence by surprise. Tharindu added the conversion to make it 7 out 7 for him. (SPC 49 – 10 VCK)
Try scorer Silva next turned provider for Emith Jayaweera with a brilliant offload to send the replacement fly half over the white wash to score the 8th try for the Bamba brigade.
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In the dying stages of the game, the Peterite forwards went into overdrive as hooker Dulaj Navodya and Loosehead prop Jehan Weerabansa scored two tries from close range to cap off a brilliant display by the home side.
Full Time: St. Peter’s College 66 (10T,8C) – Vidyartha College 10 (2T)
NDB Player of the Match: Kushan Tharindu (St. Peter’s College)
Points Breakdown
St. Peter’s College: 66
Tries: Yumeth Shihara, Pasindu Bandara (2), Kushan Tharindu, Shanuka Perera, Sudesh Jayawickrama, Praneeth Silva, Emith Jayaweera, Dulaj Navodya, Jehan Weerabansa; Cons: Kushan Tharindu (8)
Vidyartha College 10
Tries: Helana Wijetunge, Sadew Gamage
