Science College edged past St Peters by 2 points in the final to claim the cup in the inaugural “Milo” under 18 ‘Fifteen a side’ rugby tournament.
In a battle that ran to the wire, the U 18s who had made it to the final show down put up a fitting display for the cup.
St. Peter’s College started the game on a good note and ran hard at the Science defense. Following a good start Petes found themselves in the Science 22 and the pressure told as the Science defense was caught off side in the kicking range of Peters Fly half Sandesh Jayawickrama. He made no mistake as he successfully converted the penalty and handed the early lead to the Peterites as the scored read 3-nil in favor of Sr. Peters College.
Science College continued to gift easy penalties to St Peters with over enthusiastic play but this time Jayawickrama was unable to convert off the tee as the score remained at 3-nil in favour of Peters.
Following falling back on the score board Science College stepped up their game, pressurized Peters and entered the Peterite 22. Looking to clear their lines Petes tried a box kick but it was charged down as Science lock forward B.S.R. Kulathunga pounced on the loose ball to score the first try of the game. N. Neranjan failed to add the extra two points as Science gained the lead in the game for the first time and end the first half. Science 5-3 Peters.
Half time: Science 5-3 Peters.
St. Peters College managed to milk a penalty in the break down as the boys from Mount Lavinia were penalized for not holding their feet at the ruck. The Fly half stepped up but failed to convert the kick as the scores remained the same.
The game went down to the wire as it became a tight hand wrestle and Peters piled pressure on the Science defense. The Science defense was caught off side and as the Peterites were handed another chance to get the lead in the game, but Jayawickrama yet again failed to covert and it went on to cost Peters the game and the Cup in the “Milo” under 18 ‘Fifteen a side’ rugby tournament.
Full time: Science College 05 beat St. Peters College 03.
ThePapare Player of the match: Dhaminda Laksara (Science No.8)
