Second half dominance by S. Thomas’ gave them the fortitude to breach the Lions den when they took home the Cannon R S De Saram shield defeating Trinity 23-20.
Half time score: S.Thomas’ 05-03 Trinity
When everything was heading Trinity’s way in the 60th minute of play with the Lions leading 15-3, a possible comeback by the visitors would have never been on the minds of the packed audience gathered in the stands of Pallekelle. With Trinity College losing their skipper after being shown the red card by the referee, the Lions were forced to play the remainder of the game with 14 men.
S. Thomas’ were for the first time in the league, not allowed to play their usual fast moving game and the defensive Trinity forwards held their ground not leaving space for the three quarters to run. Trinity had two early chances to get on board but Thushila Perera and Sanushka Abeywickrema both missed crucial penalties. The Thomians however made the most of their solitary chance of the half as Ashwantha Herath drew first blood off a penalty (3-0).
Photos – Trinity v S.Thomas’ – Cannon R S De Saram shield
Seconds before half time was called, the Trinity skipper Rahul Karunathilake opted to go for a scrum instead of going for points when his team was awarded a penalty under the post and his decision bore fruit when Shalindra Alahakoon crossed over for the try on the right corner. Perera missed the conversion, but Trinity had a two-point advantage at half time (5-3)
Trinity had the edge in the starting phases to move forward and they were rewarded with a score in the first ten minutes of the half. Avishka Shiek intercepted a pass from Bumindra Dissanayake allowing Sanushka Abeywickrema to cover almost 60 meters and later snuck the ball to Diluksha Dange who did the honors. Perera made no mistake with the under the post kick (12-3).
Coming off the bench with ferocity was Lashan Wijesuriya who got his team another three points and set Trinity up with a lead of 12 points (15-3). Little did the Trinity camp know that this 12 points would not suffice. The dismissal of Rahul Karunathilake was the turning point of the game. He had returned to the field having spent ten minutes in the sin bin for repeated infringements in the first half only to be shown a red card for a high tackle on Sachitha Jayathileke. With the 1-man disadvantage, Trinity had to play the final twenty minutes with 14 men.
Taking the advantage of the extra man, S. Thomas’ used a 5-meter penalty to move forward and Ashwantha Herath warded off almost three players and fell short by mere inches. Coming through in support, it was Harith Senananayake who barged his way over to score the try (15-8). Herath’s conversion bounced off the up-right and was unlucky not to get a second go at it with Trinity having charged his kick early.
Things would only get worse for the Lions as Aveesha Piyankara was shown yellow in the 70th minute which meant they were forced to play the remainder of the match with 13 players. As the gaps opened up in the defense it was Naveen Henakankanamge who came back into his normal playing style. Breaking on the far right was the dynamic winger who touched down for a game changing try following some great work up front by the Thomian forwards. Herath knocked over the conversion from the corner flag and the game was all square (15-15). Soon after the restart came the totally unexpected drop goal from Sarith Nanayakkara that bisected the post and gave STC lead they had been grappling for (18-15).
The Nanayakkara drop goal brought on a surge of confidence in the Thomian camp and left Trinity struggling to cope with the immense pressure. Henakankanamge dug deep into his bag of tricks displaying another one of his signature moves on the far corner, fending his opposite number and bumping off another two defenders to take them beyond reach (23-15).
Trinity kept swinging for the fences till the last minute and fought hard to pull off a last minute try through Avishka Shiek. It was too little too late for the Lions with scoreboard reading 23-20 in favor of S. Thomas’.
An encounter that seemed to be going Trinity’s way suddenly took an unexpected twist and headed in the opposite direction. The Cannon R S De Saram shield will travel to Mount Lavinia after a lapse of three years as the Thomians conquered the Lions in their den after six long years. The last time they won away was in 2010
S. Thomas’ keep their unbeaten run intact while pressing matters will be needed to be discussed in the Trinity camp with a week to go for the 72nd Bradby Shield encounter.
Full time score: S.Thomas’ 23-20 Trinity
ThePapare.com’s player of the match: Ashwantha Herath (STC)
Score Breakdown:
S. Thomas’ 23 – 3T 1C 1P 1DG
Tries by Harith Senanayaka, Naveen Henakankanamge (2)
Conversion and Penalty by Ashwantha Herath
Drop Goal by Sarith Nanayakkara
Trinity 20 – 3T 1C 1P
Tries by Shalindra Alahakoon, Dliuksha Dange and Avishka Shiek
Conversion by Thushila Perera
Penalty by Lashane Wijesuriya
