A superlative second half by Kingswood College ensured a comprehensive win over a scrappy Sri Sumangala College Kandy outfit, 58 points to 18, in their opening fixture in the plate segment of the Singer Schools Rugby League 2019, worked off at Nittawela earlier today (20th April).
Asiri Senevirathne kick started the plate segment as eight teams battle it out for 4 promotion spots in the top division next season. Kingswood dominated the early proceeding as they got off the mark in sensational fashion through a try from power-packed center Mahomed Shazan. Few phases later, Shazan collected a loose ball near the half way line as he went pass the Sumangala defense untouched to score his second. (SSCK 00 – 10 KCK)
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Sumangala continued to struggle as a high shot from their No 08 Isuru Bandara was spotted by the referee and he was sent to the bin. Kingswood boys managed get the maximum of the numerical advantage as Chathura Zoysa twisted and turned in the maul as he sneaked through the Sumangala defense to score the third try for the kings as Hirusha Sampath finally managed to bisect the uprights. (SSCK 00 – 17 KCK)
Playmaker for Kingswood, Senevirathne gifted a try for Sumangala when his pass near the 5 meter was intercepted by Tharusha Dassanayake and he scored under the post while Umesh Weerakoon made no mistake from the tee. (SSCK 07- 17 KCK)
Kingswood line was sloppy in defense as they gave away unwanted penalties as Umesh Weerakoon slotted in a three pointer to cut the deficit to 7 points for Sri Sumangala College. (SSCK 10 – 17 KCK)
Schools Rugby League extended by a week
Umesh Weerakoon made a bold move against the run of play to kick a 43-meter drop goal as he surprised everyone with a perfect kick resulting in the seventeen-point lead for Kingswood being cut down to just four points. (SSCK 13 – 17 KCK)
In the dying embers of the first half the Kingswood Scrum half Hashan Sandeepa scored a crucial try with the help of his skipper Milan Weerasinghe as they went into lemons with a slim lead.
Half Time – Sri Sumangala College Kandy 13 (1T,1C,1P,1DG)– Kingswood College 22 (4T,1C)
Things went from bad to worse for the Sumangala side in the 2nd half with 3 quick tries were scored in quick succession as Tuwan Fareed powered himself over the line. Hirusha Sampath and Hashan Sandeepa went over the line in similar fashion as Kingswood stamped their authority on this game. Hirusha Sampath managed to convert his two tries from the touch line. (SSCK 13 – 41 KCK)
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Sumangala discipline continued on the downward spiral with Milan Manthrigama heading to the bin as Kingswood went in to overdrive. Silky hands from the back managed to send Dinal Ekanayake over the line along with some individual brilliance by Hirusha Sampath which ensured that he scored a brace while he continued his usual proceedings with the boot, adding the extras from tight angle. (SSCK 13 – 53 KCK)
The fight for promotion starts Saturday
Sumangala College plainly gifted a try to Kingswood when they fumbled the ball in their own try line as Nipun Darmarathne managed a touchdown to score the 10th try of the game for the Kings’.
Sumangala managed to score once again in the last move of the game as prop forward Amesh Jayasinghe went through the Kingswood defense to score a consolation try as a superlative second half by the red shirts sealed a thumping victory.
Full Time – Sri Sumangala College Kandy 18 (2T,1C,1P,1DG) – Kingswood College 58 (10T,4C)
ThePapare.com’s Player of the Match – Tuwan Fareed (Kingswood College)
Breakdown
Kingswood College: Tries from Mohamad Shazan (2), Chathura Zoysa, Hashan Sandeepa (2), Tuwan Fareed, Dinal Ekanayake, Nipun Darmarathne, Hirusha Sampath (2) and conversion from Hirusha Sampath (4)
Sri Sumangala College: Tries from Tharusha Dassanayake, Amesh Jayasinghe, conversion, Penalty and Drop Goal from Umesh Weerakoon
Cautions & Send offs:
Sri Sumangala College: Isuru Bandara, Milan Manthrigama (Yellow)
