S. Thomas’ managed to win with a bonus point against Science College in a seemingly scrappy encounter which ended up in 37 points to 9 today at Mount Lavinia. The Mount Lavinia Derby didn’t have the best of starts with numerous errors from both sides with the scores reading 13 – 06 at halftime in favour of the Thomians.
Science College fly half Hasaranga Akmeemana kick started proceedings and after a penalty was handed over, the visitors opted to go for 3 points right away and Kavindu Cooray made no mistake with the penalty just in front of the posts. (STC 00 – SC 03) The Thomians were looking to attack right from the restart and after mauling their way into the Science 22, Science College managed to steal the ball which deprived the Thomians of an easy try. Another penalty was awarded to Science and that too was kicked for 3 points right in front of the posts by Kavindu (STC 00 – SC 06)
With 6 points behind in under 10 minutes, the Thomians were awarded a penalty as Science College were guilty for being offside and immediately pointed towards the posts. Sakith Perera converted the easy penalty to get the home team off the mark (STC 03- SC 06). Science College once again managed to steal the ball away from the Thomians and after some phases of play, the home team was awarded another penalty in front of the posts and Sakith leveled the scores with the kick. (STC 06- SC 06)
Despite the Thomians having the more dominating pack, they were not clean in their ball distribution which resulted in many turnovers in favour of Science. Even after a yellow card was awarded to Imesh Pitiyage, the Thomians managed to score again just in the brink of half-time when Science regained their full numbers. Thomian skipper Harith Senanayake powered over the line while Sakith made no mistake in the conversion. (STC 13- SC 06)
Half time S. Thomas’ College 13 (1T 1C 2P) : Science College 06 (2P)
Science College managed to cut the deficit by slotting an easy penalty in front of the posts. (STC 13- SC 09). However the home team shifted gears and used their big forwards to rattle Science College. A good line out throw from Lashandra De Silva was followed by a clean collection, he managed to barge over from the blind side. Sakith missed the conversion from the difficult angle. (STC 18- SC 09)
From there onwards the Thomians seemed to get their act together as they kept on using the mauls and line out throws. At one point the visitors almost scored a try but knocked it on. They had the faster runners but were no match for the larger Thomian forwards who were on their toes in defence. The Thomians scored again through the pick and go with number 8 Revanke Abeywardene crawling over. Sakith made no mistake in the conversion. (STC 25- SC 09)
Replacements kept coming in as the home team had a comfortable margin and only needed one more try to get the bonus point. In the end it was replacement lock forward Aaquib Cader who made a dash under the post from the ruck fending off oncoming defenders. Sajith once again cleared the conversion with ease. (STC 32- SC 09)
The Science backline, especially Prinse Ravising and Rohan Sanjula tried their best to wiggle their way past the home team but kept crashing into traffic and lost possession. In fact Dunal Fernando made 4 crucial line out steals in the second half. Despite the Thomians reduced to 14 in the dying stages with Charin Siriwardene being guilty of hands in the ruck, the Thomians hit the final nail in the Science coffin with replacement hooker Revaan Tissera barging over the white wash. Sakith Perera missed the conversion from the difficult angle but made a match winning performance with his kicking duties.
Full Time STC 37 (5T 3C 2P) : SC 09 (3P)
Scores breakdown
S.Thomas’ College : Tries – Harith Senanayake, Lashandra De Silva, Revanka Abeywardhene, Aaquib Cader, Revaan Tissera
Penalties and Conversions – Sakith Perera (3C 2P)Science College : Penalties – Kavindu Cooray (3P)
Man of the Match- Sakith Perera
Referee – Isuru Buddhika
