St. Peter’s College continued their winning streak as they trashed Zahira College 56 points to 07 in their Dialog Schools Rugby League 2023 encounter, worked off at Zahira College grounds.
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St. Peter’s started the game on a high when last year’s Skipper Sudesh Jayawickrama ran a super line across the Zahira defence, to open up for his outside centre Pasindu Bandara to go over for the first try. Rahul Peter added the extras, and a few phases later, Rahul stroked over a penalty to increase the lead for the visitors. (ZC 00 – 10 SPC)
Zahira College had few opportunities to score, but the Peterite defence was solid, keeping the home team at bay without allowing them to add any points in the first half.
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St. Peter’s ended the first half with another team try as they played a few phases in close quarters before the tall lanky lock forward Sadew Gamage crashed over for the Bamba brigade.
Half Time: Zahira College 00 (1P) – St. Peter’s College 15 (2T,1C,1P)
St. Peter’s did look like a side full of confidence as they showed a bit more firepower when Skipper Ashain Madugasge forced his way through to the five-meter line from a brilliant run. Peterite Hooker Methusara Wismika was unstoppable when he collected the ball the from his Skipper as he barged through the defence to score.
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Tries kept on coming for the visitors when Aiden Fernando ran in an interception try to clinch a bonus point and replacement scrum half Praneeth Silva cruised in after a nice team move. Kushan Tharindu converted both tries. (ZC 00 – 34 SPC)
Jayawickrama got the sixth try as he eased past the Zahira defence to go over under the post, while Emith Jayaweera took over the kicking duties as he slotted in the conversion.
Zahira pulled a try back though Sabri Sahibo from a rolling maul after a period of sustained pressure from the home side, as Ahamed Saad landed the conversion from the corner flag. (ZC 07 – 41 SPC)
The Peterites kept on coming as Pasindu Bandara ended a flowing team move by dancing past the final man to touch down for his second of the game, as the Peterite lead continued to grow, with the Zahira defence being breached yet again.
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In final minutes of the game, Sudesh Jayawickrama made an excellent break and a laser-like pass to Praneeth Silva, which allowed the scrum half to cross over for his second try, and in the last move for the game, Silva collected a long cut out pass from Dulaj Navodaya to cruise over for his hat-trick as the Peterites rounded off an all-round performance, clinching their fourth straight win.
Full Time: Zahira College 07 (1T,1C) – St. Peter’s College 56 (9T,4C,1P)
NDB Player of the Match: Sudesh Jayawickrama (St. Peter’s College)
Points Breakdown
Zahira College: 07
Try: Sabri Sahibo; Con: Ahamed Saad
St. Peter’s College: 56
Try: Pasindu Bandara (2), Sadew Gamage, Methusara Wismika, Aiden Fernando, Praneeth Silva (3), Sudesh Jayawickrama; Con: Rahul Peter, Kushan Tharindu (2), Emith Jayaweera; Pen: Rahul Peter
