St. Anthony’s College secured a dramatic win over Wesley College 30 points to 29 in their Dialog Schools Rugby League 2023 encounter, worked off at Royal complex.
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Wesley College had the perfect start to the game as their forwards formed an ideal rolling maul, which yielded them the first try when Hooker Abdullah Siddeek burst over to open the scoring for the double blues , with Abdul Haadhi managing to add the extras. (WC 07 – 00 SACK).
The Anthonian Eagles had few kickable penalties, but they opted go with the lineouts. However, the plan did not work out as Skipper Sahan Keerthisiri finally opted to kick for points to open the account for the visitors, through an easy penalty in front of the sticks. Wesley replied straight away with a penalty from the boot of Abdul Haadhi to increase the lead back to 7 points. (WC 10 – 03 SACK)
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The momentum shifted towards St. Anthony’s in the last five minutes of the first half as Skipper Keerthisiri and Centre Ravindu Welagedara combined for a fabulous break, which opened by space for the outside centre Tyron Mariyadas to go over for an easy run-in. Skipper Keerthisiri slotted in the conversion with ease and few phases later. He landed a penalty kick for his side to go in the break with a slender lead.
Half Time: Wesley College 10 (1T,1C,1P) – St. Anthony’s College 13 (1T,1C,2P)
Wesley began the second half with a bang as they scored two tries, with the first try being scored through when their nippy scrumhalf Kaizer Lye took quick tap and went over. After few phases, Wesley No. 08 Chamod Nimsara crashed over for the second try to cap off a solid start. (WC 22 – 13 SACK)
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The Anthonians made another comeback, the same as they did in the first half when prop forward Sahan Kothalawala strolled in after a series of pick-and-goes, and Skipper Keerthisiri was spot on with his conversion to narrow the deficit to 2 points.
The Keerthisiri show continued with the boot as he stroked over a 48-meter penalty to take the lead back as the game moved towards a thrilling end. (WC 22 – 23 SACK)
The Anthonian Eagles continued to attack through their backs as Mohomed Amjath’s outrageous pass released Ravindu Welagedara to score under the posts.
Wesley got a life line when try scorer Sahan Kothalawala was red carded for a dangerous tackle as Wesley opted go to the corner from the red card penalty – they formed the rolling maul again as Abdullah Siddeek crashed in for his second try. (WC 29 – 30 SACK)
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Wesley had an opportunity to win the game through a penalty kick from Abdul Haadhi, but unfortunately his kick hit the cross bar as Wesley fell agonizingly short of the victory.
Full Time: Wesley College 29 (4T,3C,1P) – St. Anthony’s College 30 (3T,3C,3P)
- NDB Player of the Match: Ravindu Welagedara (St. Anthony’s College)
Points Breakdown
Wesley College: 29
Tries: Abdullah Siddeek (2), Kaizer Lye, Chamod Nimsara; Cons: Abdul Haadhi (3); Pen: Abdul Haadhi
St. Anthony’s College: 30
Tries: Tyron Mariyadas, Sahan Kothalawala, Ravindu Welagedara; Cons: Sahan Keerthisiri (3); Pens: Sahan Keerthisiri (3)
