The plate competition match between Prince of Wales’ College and Dharmaraja College ended as 41 (6T, 4C, 1P) to 12 (2T, 1C) in favor of the Rajans despite trailing 07 – 12 in the half time.
This is the first win of the season for Radhika Hettiarachchi’s boys after losing all five in the segment 1B. Prince of Wales on the other hand was unbeaten in segment 2A and until the first half it looked six in a row. But the Rajans were too strong for the Cambrians after the change of sides as they ran 5 more tries.
It was Wales who scored the first try from the pick and run by Navod Peiris from the ruck in the 7th minute. Yohan Peiris the bulky No10 missed the conversion. Rajans came in to opposite 22m with the restart but could not capitalize possession. Cambrians dominated until the half time with territory and possession. However, they could not score four times after being in the opposite 22m.
In the 25th minute Rajans with a 5m scrum saw center Tharaka Rathnayaka going past four defenders with his dancing toes to the try line. Captain Viraj Weerasekera slottered the extras as the Rajans came in to the lead for the first time. The game took on to some kicking and loose play but the Cambrians won a penalty try after Rajans infringed with continuous off sides. Peiris converted.
Half Time : POW 12 (2T, 1C) – 07 (1T, 1C) DRCK
After the half time Rajans changed tto attacking mode which they often did in the second half most of the time this season. Rajans scrum half was a little too slow in the rucks but his box kicks put the opposition in real trouble. A lovely grubber kick by H.C. Perera saw captain Viraj on the line as the ball bounced nicely in to his hands but he knocks it on inside the try line. It did not take long for him to recover from his mistake with a try in the right flank. He missed the conversion but made a penalty two minutes after. ( POW 12 – 15 DRCK)
Rajans were over the moon after taking the lead and Viraj once again made some great yards from his own half. M.P. Bandara who got the ball from the scrum half went on to score the third try. Cambrians played some positive rugby but S.C. Fernando was out for 10minutes with a yellow card for tackling without 10m. After a few phases play, the Rajans opted playing 7s format. Somehow the hooker S.H. Gamage managed to cross over the defence for a well-deserved try. ( POW 12 – 29 DRCK )
Rajans showed no mercy furthering themselves ahead of the game as the flanker Manuhka Kumara dived over the try line. Viraj once again fended off three defenders and eased in to the finishing touch with his second try.
Full Time DRCK (41 6T, 4C, 1P) to 12 (2T, 1C) POW
ThePapare Player of the match – Viraj Weerasekera (DRCK) 21 pts
