It was a glimpse of the form of yesteryear by the pioneers of schools Rugby, Kingswood college Kandy when they thrashed defending champions Dharmaraja at the Bogambara Stadium in Kandy. The hill capital of Sri Lanka was brought to life with the two action packed schools rugby matches which took place at Pallakelle and Bogambara.
Kingswood College, captained by their star fly half Akila Wijesingha brought about a comfortable win over the Dharmaraja with 50 points to 10. The Dharmaraja side which had a tremendous season last year indeed seems to be heading to a bleak and perhaps an unpalatable season this year with two losses already in their bag with no wins.
Kingswood took a comfortable lead over their counterparts with 19 points to 10 at the breather. Their 19 points comprised of two goals and a try whilst the Rajans were able to bag only a penalty and a try respectively.
It was indeed an action packed first half where almost all points on the scoreboard were made during the first quarter, while it was evident that the game was slowing down as we inched to the breather, it was understandable that both teams had stepped into attack mode from minute one.
Although it was apparent that hefty mistakes, knock-ons at crucial points of the game caused them to lose valuable opportunities, slow rucks and kicks were made by both teams. It was perceptible that every single player in the field was trying his best in the true spirit of the game to take the William Weerasingha trophy home.
Kingswood showed dominance over the Rajans from the very beginning of the game; capitalizing on almost all their mistakes were able to add another 31 points in the second half of the game making their total score up to a mammoth 50 points whilst the Rajans were not able to score a single point in the second half.
The big Number 8 for Dharmaraja College, H.Adikari was indeed a highlight throughout the game for the Rajans as he was singlehandedly trying to hold up the sinking ship afloat, whilst players such as Fly Half A.Wijesingha, Hooker R.Amarasingha and Wing T.Jaleel were exceptional in their playing to take the battle and conquer the Rajans.
Kingswood’s extent of teamwork was noticeable as plain as day during several key moments of the game such as the first and second tries in the second half. The first try was a joint effort by scrum-half S.Mohomed and Wing T.Jaleel who in the end delivered the ball to Center Udagalhitiyawa for a spectacular try minutes after the breather. The second was a maul right down to the tryline which enabled Hooker Amarasingha who had an excellent day of play to score another invaluable try.
It would be inequitable if the efforts of the Rajans’ star player H.Adikari and Wing N.Hurigolla to go unmentioned; they were indeed responsible for almost all points on the scoreboard and was excellent in their play, Adikari’s early try which was converted by N.Hurigolla was immaculate and timely, if given the support he desperately needed from his team, Adikari would have indeed been an unstoppable entity.
The 50 points in favor of Kingswood were made of 5 goals and 3 tries. The try scorers for Kingswood College were M.Seneviratne, A.Kumara, D.Amarasingha, S.Udagalhitiyawa, S.Paranagama, T.Atigodage and A.Wijesingha respectively. Fly Half A.Wijesingha had a field day today at Bogambara converting 5 out of 8 tries which were scored during the game. Whilst the 10 points for Dharmaraja came through a single goal and a penalty which were both successfully converted by N.Hurigolla.
At the long whistle, Kingswood had dominated almost every minute of play today at Bogambara, although opportunities arose for the Rajans to add more points to the tally, they were unable to capitalize on them unlike their counterparts. It was a terrific show of sportsmanship by both teams, and it was indeed heartwarming to observe that almost all players treating each other with high esteem and mutual respect through every offense or injury, Kingswood clearly being the superior team surpassed the Rajans to clench the 18th battle for the William Weerasingha Trophy for themselves.
“We were happy to see out new patterns and renewed team spirit paying off today at the game, we were clearly better that our previous match against St.Peters” – Akila Wijesingha (Captain – Kingswood College)
ThePapare Player of the Match – Kingswood Hooker D.Ranatunga
