The third quarter final of the second day of the Inter University tournament ended with Peradeniya and Moratuwa Universities emerging victors. It was a easy stroll through for Pera against Uva University while Moratuwa had to face a much harder opposition in the Kelaniya University.
The first game of the day was between the hosts Peradeniya and Uva Province. It was a run through for the Pera lions as they piled up a massive 61 points against nothing from the opposition. At the breather the hosts led by 29 points to nothing. The second center Isuru Herath had a excellent game, he managed to spilt open the defence and score two tries while the most of the others managed to score a try apiece. There was nothing much the lads from Uva could do as they hardly had any possession or opportunity to actually threaten the opposition. Soon after the start N.De.Alwis went in for the first try of the game followed by Isuru Herath twice at the 10th minute and the 15 minute mark. N.De.Alwis then charged down a kick which he chased to touchdown left of the posts. S.Adhikari scored the last try of the first half for Peradeniya in the dying minutes of the first half. Isuru Herath could only convert two of his kicks.
Half Time: Peradeniya 29 (5T 2C) – 00 Uva
In the second half Pera scored another 32 points coming off 6 tries and a single conversion. Rajeev Karunanayake and S.Mahanama were on the scoresheet minutes after the second half had begun. Rajeev barging his way over the line after a little side step and Mahanama a simple pick and drop over the line. Later in the game Mevan Ekanayake, S.Kodithuwakku, C.Abeysekara and B.Wickramaarachchi scored back to back tries of which only one was converted. The game ended with a scoreline of 61 points to nil with 11 tries second highest this season being scored.
Full Time; Peradeniya 61 (11T 3C)- 00 Uva
N.de.Alwis (2T)
Isuru Herath (2T 3C)
Rajeev Karunanayake (1T)
S.Mahanama (1T)
S.Adhikari (1T)
Mevan Ekanayake (1T)
S.Kodithuwakku (1T)
C.Abeysekara (1T)
B.Wickramaarachchi (1T)
The second game of the day was between Moratuwa and Kelaniya Universities. This as promised turned out to be a nail biter for the few spectators who had turned up. The final scores turned out to be 15 points to 05 in favour of Moratuwa. At half time Moratuwa led 05 points to nil. The game went on deep into the first half without any points being scored by both teams. However Moratuwa drew first blood through their second row forward D.Katugampola. The resulting conversion was unsuccessful by their fly half B.Weerakoon. With the conversion going wide the referee brought the first half to an end. Kelaniya had so many opportunities which they squandered due to their poor handling skills.
Half Time; Moratuwa 05 (1T) – 00 Kelaniya
Soon after the restart Moratuwa scored again through S.Anthony. Just like in the previous occasion the kicker failed. Both tries were courtesy of their forwards making the hard yards when they finally got into the 22m line of the Kelaniya territory. After the break the Kelaniya players just like in the first half made the hard yards but failed to score but finally when something had to give they scored through some excellent passes, the try scorer being A.Perera. The kicker failed to convert. In the dying minutes of the game V.Weerakoon sealed the deal for the Moratuwa team as he sprinted off against the run off play. He made a good 40m before he finally scored left of the posts. B.Weerakoon yet again failed to convert. This brought the game to an end with the score reading 15 points to 5.
Full Time; Moratuwa 15(3T)- 05(1T) Kelaniya
Moratuwa
V.Weerakoon (1T)
D.Katugampola (1T)
S.Anthony (1T)
Kelaniya
A.Perera (1T)
