Both teams were searching for ways in which to lose the game, however, it was DS Senanayake College who finished on the losing side as Zahira College won the inaugural R.I.T Alles trophy as the scores read 17-19 in the Singer Schools’ Rugby League 2018 game played at Welisara.
Both teams came in following two contrasting defeats and defiant to get back to winning ways as the R.I.T. Alles Trophy was at stake.
Zahira began the game, the brighter of the two sides and the weather at Welisara was equally bright.
Zahira made maximum out of the early start scoring an early try, putting DS Senanayake College under some early pressure.
Shameer Iqbal was the youngster to score the opener. Iqbal collected the loose ball, pinning his ears back as he dived in the near corner to dampen the DS faithful. Minhaj Samsudeen failed to add the extras from the touchline. (DS 00-05 ZC)
The Dons stormed back from the restart, however, failed on three separate occasion to penetrate the Zahira defence which held firm thanks to some sloppy work from the DS lads.
On the 6th time of asking, the Dons penetrated the Zahira defence as winger Lalanka Wijesundara dotted down near the corner flag as Zahira were reduced to 14.
Wijesundara was the beneficiary as the DS backline decided to spread the ball wide, scoring the first time they added width to their attack. Number 8 Hemasiri failed with the conversion as the game was square on the scoreboard. (DS 05-05 ZC)
The game shifted gears from after being level on the scoreboard as both teams sought to penetrate each other’s defence but failed due to errors and poor handling creeping in.
Zahira College, however, strung a few phases together as they got their lead back through a converted try from Amjad Fawmy. No sooner, Dons captain, Chamuka Sheshan leveled proceedings as the teams went into halftime with nothing to separate them.
Half Time: DS Senanayake College 12 (2T 1C) – Zahira College 12 (2T 1C)
The second stanza began in different fashion as this time, DS started on the front foot displaying glimpses of what they brought out against Isipathana College last week.
However, it was Zahira College who scored against the run of play, adding further daylight between the two sides as they returned to their full complement.
D.S.Senanayake College v Zahira College
ThePapare.com Stats Centre, the accurate and real-time gazette of Schools’ rugby numbers, results and fixtures.
Minhaj Samsudeen’s dreadful clearance was allowed to bounce, as the Dons were made to pay. Farhan Shuhib was at hand to pick the pocket of his opponent to score their third of the evening. Samsudeen added the extras as the Zahira lead was extended. (DS 12-19 ZC)
Try scorer Shuhib was given his marching orders following his score as momentum shifted back in favour of DS even though they trailed on the scoreboard.
The man advantage and momentum shift, came in handy as Dinusha Hemasiri showed what he is capable of, scoring with the opportunity to level things up once again. Udawatta failed to add the extras in unfortunate fashion as Zahira continued to lead. (DS 17-19 ZC)
With the game heading into its dying embers, DS pushed hard to secure the elusive win however, were the architects of their own downfall.
With time running out, Zahira College were reduced to 13 as Shameem Nassar and Luqman Ahamet both saw yellow as referee Rohan Fernando seemed to run out of patience.
Lacking an able place kicker came back to bite the Dons as they turned down penalty after penalty to go after the five pointer.
The unused opportunities and the missed conversions were the difference as a final hurrah towards the Zahira try line saw Pathirana knock on in-goal after the hooter handing the inaugural Alles Trophy to Zahira College.
Full Time: Zahira College 19 (3T 2C) beat DS Senanayake College 17 (3T 1C)
ThePapare.com Player of the Match: Amjad Fawmy (Zahira Tight-head)
Score Breakdown
DS Senanayake College – Lalanka Wijesundara 1T, Chamuka Sheshan 1T, Dinusha Hemasiri 1T, Saranga Udawatta 1C
Zahira College – Shameer Iqbal 1T, Amjad Fawmy 1T, Farhan Shuhib 1T, Minhaj Samsudeen 2C
Bookings – Minhaj Samsudeen, Shameem Nassar, Luqman Ahamet
