Kingswood College hosted Vidyartha College in a week 03 all kandy clash of the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2024 today (28th of June) at the Bogambara Stadium. Vidyartha College proved to be too good for the boys from Kingswood College as they suffered a third consecutive loss in the season.
Both teams made some errors in the opening few minutes, but Vidyartha slowly found their groove and started attacking with their blistering backline. Ishara Kumara became the first tryscorer of the game for Vidyartha as they managed to build some good attacking moves to enter the opposition 22m territory, and Kingswood conceded a penalty to make things even easier for the Tigers as their forwards finished the job. Rusith Thamodya added the two points (VCK 07 – 00 KCK).
Kingswood College skipper Anuda Sikurajapathi earned a holding-on penalty by placing himself brilliantly over Thamodya just a few minutes after the first try, and from a kickable distance, Rivin Baudueen added the 3 points for his team (VCK 07 – 03 KCK).
Vidyartha once again used their backline to perfection, entering the opposition 22m territory, and just like in the first try, the forwards did a perfect job to ensure they ended that move with a try as Kawishka Gimhan went over with a powerful thumping run. Unfortunately, the conversion didn’t go over after hitting the upright (VCK 12 – 03 KCK).
Gayan Perera, the Vidyartha skipper, found the whitewash next as they used the width of the field and worked the ball from left to right and right to left, creating the opening for the skipper to go over. Thamodya was once again precise with his kicking to convert the try (VCK 19 – 03 KCK).
Kingswood’s first try was scored after a yellow card gave them the numbers advantage, and they kept their cool to target the left side of the field as Sadew Amarasuriya went over. The conversion, though, didn’t go over from Baudueen (VCK 19 – 08 KCK).
With 4 tries in the first half, it had some entertaining spots, but both teams missed out on opportunities due to lapses in discipline and handling.
Half-Time: Vidyartha College 19 – 08 Kingswood College
Vidyartha College found the whitewash inside the first 5 minutes of the second half when an attempt for a rolling maul worked out brilliantly inside the opposition 22m territory, and Mohommad Shakeek, the big number 8, touched down easily. The first conversion of the second half was unsuccessful by Thamodya (VCK 24 – 08 KCK).
Perera went over for a second try of the day from the right corner as the deficit continued to increase between the two teams. Thamodya, with a lovely conversion, added the two points (VCK 31 – 08 KCK).
Skipper Perera scored his 3rd try of the game as the kick started an attacking run targeting the right of the field, and then as the others worked the ball from right to left, he was back on the opposite side in a flash as the overlap was found quite easily. Thamodya continued his phenomenal day of kicking with a stunning conversion (VCK 38 – 08 KCK).
Rusith Thamodya produced the try of the game when he ran from their 22m territory to the opposition 22m territory, evading numerous defenders and showcasing some brilliant speed and footwork. Right in front of the last tackler, he passed to the supporting runner Kumara, who went over for the second time in the day. Thamodya converted the try once again (VCK 45 – 08 KCK).
Kingswood College scored a consolation try shortly after when Vidyartha College knocked the ball forward just 5 metres away from their own try line, and Sachintha Samantha of Kingswood College recovered the ball to go over. The conversion, however, didn’t go over for the hosts (VCK 50 – 13 KCK).
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Kumara then played a vital role in the last try of the game for Vidyartha as he gained good metres before Ishan Padmakumara reached over for the try. The conversion didn’t go over this time, but the half-century was on the board for the Tigers (VCK 50 – 13 KCK).
Kingswood College showed some sparks here and there, but once again, the issue for the boys in red was their consistency in playing top-quality rugby for the whole duration of the game. Vidyartha College, however, started slowly and gradually increased their pace, with the backline in full flow during the 2nd half of the game. This win will give Vidyartha College some momentum back before facing the defending champions next week in a crucial clash.
Gayan Perera, who led from the front with a hat-trick of tries, was a man on a mission today as he put on a show for the Vidyartha College supporters with some high-quality running rugby and slick handling skills. Due to his phenomenal effort as captain and player, he was adjudged NDB Bank Player of the Match.
Full Time : Vidyartha College 50 (8T 5C) beat Kingswood College 13 (2T 1P)
- NDB Bank Player of the Match : Gayan Perera (VCK)
Points Breakdown
Vidyartha College : Gayan Perera 15 Points (3 Tries), Ishara Kumara 10 Points (2 Tries). Rusith Thamodya 10 Points (5 Conversions), Mohommad Shakeek 5 Points (1 Try), Kawishka Gimhan 5 Points (1 Try), Ishan Padmakumara 5 Points (1 Try)
Kingswood College : Rivin Baudueen 3 Points (1 Penalty), Anuda Sikurajapathi 5 Points (1 Try), Sachintha Samantha 5 Points (1 Try)
 at the Bogambara Stadium. Vidyartha College proved to be too good for the boys from Kingswood College as they suffered a third consecutive loss in the season. ){kind=link}