In honor to a great gentlemen Sir L.E Blaze, the 26th annual rugby encounter – first leg was played at Bogambara this evening. Kingswood college held Wesley college for a draw to safeguard themselves from relegation.
The two brother schools, Wesley College Colombo and Kingswood College Kandy have met 25 times for the same trophy this before. In that Kingswood have won 18 matches while Wesley have won 5 of it and 2 games have ended in draws. Wesley, after having a good opener for the season have failed in last few games to uphold there winning position on the other side Kigswoodians after having a tight opener but with a moral victory against St. Peter’s last weekend, entered the ground in a mood to retain victory.
The game began with the kick-off made by Wesley fly half Ishara Madushanka. Wesley hold their territory for the first 10 minutes and gave no chance to the opponents to enter their own 50. By the 12th minute Kings center broke the defense and made a fine sprint for 60 meters but was not sufficient to annex their points on the board. Lineouts and kicking were often displayed throughout the play.
Wesley full back Panduka made a drop goal attempt on the 20th minute but the kick went a stray. However on the same minute Kingswoodians were penalized for high tackle near their 22, therefore Wesley got an opportunity to make a placement kick. The skipper Rahul De Silva clipped over the bar successfully to have an early lead for 3 nil.
In reply Kingswood outside center T.D.L.C Kumara made a clean pass to the monster winger D.I Jaleel to cross the line for a try on the right corner. The kicker K.M Perera made a fine attempt but the ball stroke the bar and went away.
On 34 minutes on the clock, Wesley open side flanker D.D Peiris brushed through the Kings gate to mark their first try of the match. But Rahul’s conversion was well wide.
Then after Kings kept holding their territory but was hard to break the heavy Wesley defense. While few minutes to go for the short whistle, Kingswoodians made an attempt to touch down but the Wesley pack gave no room and with a turnover ball Wesley full back kicked for a line out to leave a 3 point margin.
Half Time : KCK 5 (1T) – WC 8 (1T , 1P)
In the 70th minute Wesley were penalized near their 5 meter line and awarded Kingswoodians a chance to scrum. But the scrum was unsuccessful with the slippery hands which resulted a knock on.
Three minutes to go for the long whistle, Wesley yet again were penalized inside their 22 and this time Kingswoodians gained an opportunity to kick at goal and to level the scores on the board. The kicker K.M Perera who has performed well throughout the season slotted it over the uprights to make the scores 8 all.
On the extra time awarded, Kingswoodians were penalized for high tackle inside their 22 thus Wesleyties obtained an opportunity to kick at goal and to settle the visitor’s nerves. The kicker and the skipper Rahul De Silva missed a golden opportunity to kick through and to retain a victory.
Full Time : KCK 8 (1T , 1P) – WC 8 (1T , 1P)
The game was concluded with a presentation ceremony under the patronage of Mr. Ranjith Chandrasekara and Mr. Chandrasekhar Singh Chauhan [Head of Marketing – Barathi Airtel Lanka (PVT) LTD]. The L.E. Blaze trophy was given over to both the captains of the respective teams in marking the 3rd draw in the history of this trophy.
