The last two games of the Sri Lanka University Games (SLUG) rugby tournament 2016 were held this evening at the Air Force Grounds in Ratmalana.

The University of Moratuwa met the University of Peradeniya in the finals of the tournament, while the University of Sri Jayawardenapura faced the University of Kelaniya as they battled it out for third place. The games hosted fierce battles as they both went down to the wire.

Third place play-off: University of Sri Jayawardenapura vs University of Kelaniya

The University of Sri Jayawardenapura, or more commonly known as J’Pura had the honours of kicking off the third place game. Both teams had a bad start as they scrambled in search of the ball and possession. The Kelaniya boys scored the opening try with K. Perara as he found himself fumbling upon a blocked kick, as the University of Sri Jayawardenapura lads tried to clear the ball from their try zone. The University of Kelaniya scored again in the corner but the conversion was unsuccessful. J’Pura replied with an unconverted try. The University of Kelaniya extended their lead with another try off a blocked kick as Basnayake went over the line. At the short whistle, the scores read 17 points to 5 in favour of the University of Kelaniya.

The second half saw a resilient team from Sri Jayawardenapura bounce right back in to the game, strategies and mindset revised. However, it was the Kelaniya forwards who pumped their way through over the line. J’Pura replied with a brilliant 70 meter try by B. Niroshana, reducing the Kelaniya lead to 10. The University of Kelaniya was penalized in the red zone for a high tackle and J’Pura were awarded a penalty try, the lead now just at 3 points. Kelaniya bounced back with an unconverted try through Bandara, extending their lead. J’Pura managed to bridge the gap yet again down to 3 points as they showed good hands and were rewarded with a try. The University of Sri Jayawardenapura continued to show their dominance in the game as a last minute effort almost stole the game from Kelaniya. The Kelaniya boys, in their desperate defense were reassured of a victory as the J’Pura winger was tackled into touch as the game ended at full time. The University of Jayawardenapura showed a great fighting spirit missing the third place spot by just 3 points.  The University of Kelaniya did well to hold down the aggression of their opposition.

Finals scores

University of Kelaniya – 27
University of Sri Jayawardenapura – 24  

Finals: University of Moratuwa vs University of Peradeniya

The final game of the tournament yet again proved to be an exuberating one as the mathematicians from Moratuwa faced the lads from Kandy. The prevailing windy conditions of the kite season in August brought upon great difficulties for the high-ball and the boot.

From the kick off, both teams posted tough challenges to each other. The defending champions for the third consecutive year, the University of Moratuwa, managed to breach the line of defense of the University of Peradeniya, for the first try. However, the visitors to Colombo scored a try by capitalizing on a mistake made by the University of Moratuwa. Scores were 7 all at lemons.

The University of Moratuwa managed to score a try within the first two minutes of the second half and regained their lead. A brilliant conversion followed from Dinuka Hettiarachchi who judged the wind perfectly. Moratuwa managed to score again with the fresh winger, Jayathunga who read the ball well and intercepted a Peradeniya pass thus taking his team up to 21. The University of Peradeniya showed no sense of lost confidence as their quick recycling helped them maintain the phase plays, thus pressurising the Moratuwa defense, although they managed to hold the Peradeniya team strongly. The University of Peradeniya was unable to use the wind to their advantage and were not able to find good touch. The Moratuwa team used an unforeseen rolling maul to dash through 25 meters but were held up well by the forwards of Peradeniya on the try line. The University of Moratuwa continued to show their dominance with Weerakoon almost scoring an individual try with his own chip kick. The Peradeniya team defended and dodged the continuous attack from the big boys of Moratuwa.

With less than 15 minutes on the clock, the University of Moratuwa suffered a major blow when two of their players were sent to the sin bin in quick succession and were down to just 13 men. Peradeniya managed to capitalize on this and scored a try close to the touch line. The conversion that followed had neither direction nor the distance, scores now on 21-12. Moratuwa were back on the attacking end but were unlucky as the Peradeniya center used a loose ball and dashed through 100 meters to score under the posts. The disadvantages of not having a 15 man team on the field, reflected badly on the black and white Moratuwa outfit. The scores had just a 2 point difference in favour of Moratuwa as full time was fast approaching. The University of Peradeniya had run out of luck as they conceded a penalty right in front of the posts on the stroke of full time which Dinuka Hettiarachchi made no mistake getting the 3 points for his team, whilst maintaining a 100% accuracy rate for himself in the game.

The penalty scored by Hettiarachchi was the only kick at goal taken today, showing great reluctance getting the 3 points by all the teams that played in the final day of the tournament.

Final scores

University of Moratuwa – 24
University of Peradeniya – 19

The University of Moratuwa won the tournament for the 4th consecutive year but this year’s final was no stroll in the countryside for them. The University of Peradeniya and the University of Kelaniya became the overall runners up and second runners up, respectively. The tournament held under the Sri Lanka University Games (SLUG) has concluded yet another edition, displaying extraordinary talent from students at the university level.  

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