Science College survived the Wesleyan scare when the Double Blues took the Science lads by surprise but did not have the privilege of ending up on the winning side as the hosts cramped to a hard and fought win.
Full-time score: 13 – 7 in favor of Science
Wesley College will only have themselves to blame as the Double Blues dominated almost 75% of possession creating ample opportunities but none of them got past the try line to bring in points for the team. Science wasn’t playing their usual game with the absence of their valuable skipper Nirosh Udayanga to support their open play. They struggled but came out victorious at the end.
From the kick off whistle, Wesley was utilizing their forwards to add in pressure to the Science three-quarters and their fast runners were not spared a few meters to run. Wesley had two scoring opportunities from the rolling maul but cardinal ball handling errors deprived the visitors of scoring.
It took Science 20 minutes to get themselves into their attacking 22m and Sanjula Rohan missed out on a try when Thanuja Maduranga’s chip which was a little bit overcooked landed in the deadline. Wesley saw themselves with another opportunity when referee Pradeep Fernando sin-binned Supun Dilshan of Science and despite having the opposition one man short, poor decision making prevented the visitors from scoring.
Photo Album – Science College vs Wesley College
Science got an opportunity to draw first blood with a 22m penalty but Thanuja Maduranga’s kick knocked the posts and drifted away. However minutes before half time, home side had the privilege of scoring off a 5-meter free kick and with their forwards making phases, scrum half Hashan Madumadawa scored the first try in the 40th minute. Maduranga’s under the post conversion did not bisect the posts but Science went into lemons with a 5 point lead.
Half time: Science 5 – 0 Wesley
Soon after the restart Science’s Thanuja Maduranga who missed two back to back kicks got his next kick through in the second half as his 20 m penalty got Science back the lead (8-0).
Wesley resurgence came a bit too late with the clock ticking 20 minutes, their lock forward Thimira Ananada crossed over for the try that was later converted by Murshid Zubair getting Wesley closer to the opponent (07-08).
The Wesley try intensified the game in the second half at Ratmalana but the Wesleyites could not build on their momentum to get the winning points in place.
The turning point of the game came when Thanuja Maduranga was able to get another penalty off his boots to take his team to double figures bringing momentum back in favor of the Mount Lavinia lads (11-08).
In reply, Wesley went all out to create opportunities even during the final of play but ball-handling errors deprived them the winning score.
Science College was the happiest to hear the final whistle as they had successfully held the Double Blues to win. It was a win that the Mount Lavinia lads cannot be too proud of having played fast moving rugby all this while.
Wesley College focused more on creating chances and less on the final execution and that made them end up in the losing avenue.
ThePapare.com Player of the Match– Janith Lakshan (Science College)
His efforts in the breakdowns and defense were exemplary.
Score breakdown:
Science 11 (1T 2P) Try by Hashan Madumadawa & Penalties (2) by Thanuja Maduranga to Wesley 7 (1T 1C) Try by Thimira Ananda. Conversion by Murshid Zubair
