The newly commissioned Sir Oliver Gunathileke trophy game Wesley College vs S Thomas college got off amidst some splendor today at the Havelock Grounds.
In a last minute comeback, the Thomians powered their way to an exciting win 36-29 breaking the hearts of the Double blues ‘out-pouring’ at the grounds especially with Wesley storming through gallantly till the end stages of the game.
It was the Double blues who drew first blood in the game inside the fifth minute when Avishka sliced through the Thomian defense to get the party started. The scoreboard had to settle down to five points as skipper Kutubdeen failed to bisect the uprights. The second try got up on the board within the next ten minutes when Tharique Jurampathy sucked in the Thomian defense and offloaded to Chamika Kusal who went over. The skipper failed once more to give full value to the try. ( 10-00 to Wesley after fourteen minutes of play.)
With the head start, the double blues were right on the money as they settled themselves to play a good game of rugby. At the start the Thomians played with a complete lack of confidence despite coming back from a win in Kandy the other week. The desperate Thomians scored their first try of the game in the twenty second minute when Ashwantha Herath scored off the Jayathileke`s quick pass. Converting his own try, he reduced the deficit up to three points and gave the fans a glimpse of hope. Scores 10-7
Ball handling of the Mount-Lavinia lads was not at its best as Dinidu Ranaweera stole the ball from the opposition and ran off ninety five meters and scored off a length of a field try. Skipper Kutubdeen bisecting the uprights for the third try put the home side ahead 17-07. The visitor’s come-back followed up right after as Kasun Jayasooriyadived in the far left corner sending out the message the game is still open. Herath failed to bisect the uprights.
Wesley College being a young side with not much experience did play well sticking into the basics and maintaining momentum. On the other hand, even though Thomians scored a couple of tries their ball handling, kicking and defense was not the best of the shows that one could expect. Double blues led the game when it halted for oranges, melons and lime.
Half Time – Wesley College – 17 (3T 1C) S.Thomas` College – 12 (2T 1C)
The home team took guard after a slight delay as they took time to listen to their coach. In the forty second minute Chamika Kusal cut open the defense as he ran with immense pace and touched down his second try of the game. Skipper converting added seven points to the scoreboard and it read 24-12.
Thomians trying to get hold of a grip in the game scored right after at the other end as Ashwantha Herath scored his second try for the game. Converting his own try he reduced the deficit 24-19. The Doubles Blues counter-attack followed with Dansten Gunethileke cutting through the opposition defense offloaded to Hamidon who took the honors in touching down successfully. Chamika Kusal failed but with 29 -19 in favour of them Wesley thought they sealed the game.
The Thomian coach Jeewan Gunethileke making a crucial decision replaced the starting scrum-half De Sliva with Dion Dias during the last ten minutes of the game. The ‘wild-card’ became the ‘decider’ as the pint-sized half performed giant things for the school by the sea. On the back of this confidence, his senior counterparts finally showed the famous Thomain ‘grit’ and powered their way into points. Two tries came in quick succession. Ashwantha Herath scored his hat-trick while Sachitha Jayathileke scored the other try. Both the tries being converted the game shifted gears drastically. 33-29; visitors leading.
The crestfallen double blues who held sway against their more powerful opponent most of the match, fought valiantly to come back in the game. But the talented Dion Dias coming into the Thomian side straight off the football field slotted in a 40m penalty sealing the game for the Thomians.
Full time – Wesley College – 29 (5T 2C) S. Thomas`s College – (5T 4C 1P)
The teams did justice to the celebrated Sir Oliver Gunatilake by putting on a splendid display of fighting rugby for the crowd present.
ThePapare.com questioned Coach Jeewan Gunethileke about the last minute replacement and he said “Well Dion joined the side after leaving soccer and he is a fabulous soccer player and you would have seen that final kick and I believe it was one of the good choices I made also still I would say that we did play poorly in the first half also it showed a lot of character to come back and win it at the end”.
ThePapare.com apologizes for the confusion with the names in commentary as the team cards issued by the MICs were inaccurate.
