Science College hosted S. Thomas’ College in a Week 03 clash of the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2024 yesterday (30th of June) at the Air Force Rugby Grounds in Ratmalana. After a closely contested tussle, the Thomians managed to walk out with the win 30-26.
Merckyle Karunaratne scored the opening try as the Thomians made use of the penalty they received 5m away from the try line and opted for the scrum. Karunaratne managed to take the ball out and outpower the last line of defence from the blindside. Udan Bulathsinghalage missed the first conversion of the day. (SC 00 – 05 STC)
>>Dharmaraja Marches Forward through Sumangala<<
Just few minutes later. Science College managed to hit back when Udan Bulathsinghalage knocked the ball forward inside their own 22m, and Science, from the scrum that followed, worked the ball to the left, with Oshadha Perera spotting the gap to perfection and going over, making sure to convert the try as well. (SC 07 – 05 STC)
The 2nd try for the Thomians came when they received a Penalty just 5m away from the whitewash, and they used the blindside again as Seneshka Liyanagunawardene reached out for the try. The conversion went astray once again. (SC 07 – 10 STC)
Just before Half Time, the visitors received a tackler not releasing advantage and they went for the Penalty as Udan Bulathsinghalage finally got the kick right. adding the 3 points. (SC 07 – 13 STC)
Half Time – Science College 07 – 13 S. Thomas’ College
Science College began the 2nd half with a bang as a tremendous rolling maul caught the Thomians offguard and it took them inside the opposition 22m territory. From a penalty that followed, they worked the ball from left to right as Perera scored the try. With a good conversion, he made sure Science got the lead early in the 2nd half. (SC 14 – 13 STC)
>>D.S Senanayake hammer lacklustre Rajans to begin 2024 League<<
However, the lead was unfortunately short-lived for the hosts. A tackler not rolling away advantage to Thomas and Udan with a good territory-gaining kick, took them inside the opposition 22m territory, and the Thomian forwards finished the job this time as Kaveesha Lenagala went over. However, the conversion once again went away from the right post. (SC 14 – 18 STC)
A few minutes later after taking back the lead, S. Thomas managed to increase the buffer as another rolling maul took Thora close, and they worked the line from left to right as Liyanagunawardene scored his 2nd try. Experienced campaigner Yehan Bulathsinghalage took over the kicking duties and added the 2 points. (SC 14 – 25 STC)
>>Trinity retain Canon R.S de Saram Shield to kick off 2024 League<<
Trailing by 11 points, it was quite clear that Science College were failing to get their act right as they conceded another try after Perera’s clearance kick was charged down by Tieshya Aluwihare, and Perera was unable to make the recovery as Aluwihare kept kicking the ball. Perera missed the opportunity to kick the ball out as well, giving Aluwihare ample time to touchdown for the try. (SC 14 – 30 STC)
With time running out, Science College, with some newfound energy, started making inroads to the Thomian territory. They also received a penalty just a few metres short of the try line and they took the tap as Ravindu Nishantha the big forward went over. Lakshan Silva converted the try for the home team. (SC 21 – 30 STC)
With just a few minutes to go, the visitors all of a sudden started to give away penalty after penalty for Science. and the hosts, who took advantage of the situation, found another try through Ravindu, who produced an overpowering run against the Thomian defenders. This time, the conversion missed but Science College were well in the game and were able to produce a shock turnaround in the dying minutes. (SC 26 – 30 STC)
In the last move of the game, a rejuvenated Science College who scored back to back tries inside 10 minutes, came very close to the whitewash, and almost thought they managed to register that match winning try. However, unfortunately, the try was not awarded and the referee blew the final whistle as S. Thomas’ College had a narrow escape. The home team will be kicking themselves for not using all their speed without making mistakes, while the Thomians will be extremely happy on how their forwards contributed.
>>Green Machine begin the season with a thumping victory at home Dialog Schools Rugby League 2024<<
Seneshka Liyanagunawardene was instrumental for the Thomians to register this win, scoring two tries. He was phenomenal as a defender for the team as well. Due to his immense contribution, he walked out with the NDB Bank Player of the Match award.
Full Time – S. Thomas’ College 30 (5T 1C 1P) beat Science College 26 (4T 3C)
- NDB Bank Player of the Match – Seneshka Liyanagunawardene (STC)
Points Breakdown
S . Thomas’ College – Seneshka Liyanagunawardene 10 Points (2 Tries), Merckycle Karunarathna 5 Points (1 Try), Kaveesha Lenagala 5 Points (1 Try), Tieshya Aluwihare 5 Points (1 Try), Udan Bulathsinghalage 3 Points (1 Penalty), Yehan Bulathsinghalage 2 Points (1 Conversion)
Science College – Dilruwan Perera 14 Points (2 Tries 2 Conversions), Ravindu Nishantha 10 Points (2 Tries), Lakshan Silva 2 Points (1 Conversion)
 at the Air Force Rugby Grounds in Ratmalana. After a closely contested tussle, the Thomians managed to walk out with the win 30-26.){kind=link}