The round up of 2nd week matches for the Singer League 2014 Schools Under 20 Rugby Tournament was worked off over the weekend with Trinity, Kingswood, St’Peters, Royal, S’Thomas and Isipathana College emerging victorious. Defending Champions Dharmaraja, Wesley, St’Anthony’s and D.S.Senanayake College recorded their second conservative defeats, are in danger of being relegated to the plate championship.
(29/03/2014)
On Saturday two matches were worked off up in Kandy with Trinity College coming up strongly in the second half to register a 34 points to 17 victory over St’Joseph College at Pallekelle after the Joes lead 14 points to 09 at half time. It was not until midway into the second half with Joes leading 17 points to 16 but the Lions cut lose to score a further 18 points to seal the game in favor of them. Tharindu Ratwatte was the local hero scoring two tries, conversions and two penalties while Lochana Girihagama scored the other two tries. For the Joes Gunawardena and Vishwamithra Peiris scored the tries while Shamilka Kurumbalapitiya put over both conversion with Dulith Fernando the penalty.
Meanwhile at Bogambara Kingswood College beat their rivals Dharmaraja College by a massive 50 points to 10 after leading 19 points to 10 at half time. It was another good performance by the Kings who outclassed their opponents and for the losers it was their worst start to the league.
(30/03/2014)
On Sunday three matches were scheduled with the big one being played at Science College Grounds in Mount Lavinia where St’Peters College held up a late challenge by the home team before securing a 27 points to 22 win after leading 22 to 08 points lead at half time. The Peterites started well and dominated proceedings to score three tries before the break. Flanker Nishon Perera scored two and Shamri Burah one while Shamri converted both tries and put over a penalty.
Soon after the resumption of play in the second half, the home team struck twice in quick session with two converted tries to level the scores. But the Peterites surged ahead midway in the second half through a try by Dilshan Fonseka which the scores stood till the end. Science College tried everything but could not penetrate the Peterites defense. Science College Player Prasad Malinda saw Red for trying to get into a brawl during the closing minutes of the match
In the other matches Royal College who were given a last minute scare held on to a close win over Wesley College by 22 points to 20 after the visitors lead 15 to 10 points at half time, The match was played at the Royal College Grounds, and the game came to a light in the second half for the home team when they scored tries through Supun Warnakulasuriya and Nikil Gunawardana while Nimshan converting and Royal lead 22 to 15 points with time running out for the visitors. They were then down to 14 players when flanker Perera was given the marching orders for his second yellow card but that did not prevent Wesley from scoring a try in the last minute of play with the conversion to come which could have levelled the scores. But the conversion went wide much to the delight of the home fans when Royal held their nerve for a vital victory.
S’Thomas College showed their clear intentions in the top division by recording their second win over St’ Anthony’s College by 25 points to 10 after the eagles lead 10 points to 05 match played at Havelock Grounds. After scoring just 05 points in the first half the Thomians dominated play in the second half and scored a further 20 points while not conceding any point to take the game beyond the visitors. The Thomians scored through Shanel Perera, Kasun Jayasuriya, A.H.R. Senanayake and S.Jayatilake while Walpola converting one try and putting over a penalty. For the Anthonians scrum half D.M. Jayatissa scored all 10 points.
(31/03/2014)
On Monday Isipathana College ran riot and outclassed D.S.Senanayake College by 85 points to 12 after leading 31 point to 12 at half time. The match was played at Royal College Grounds. As expected it was another tough time for the new comers to cope up in top division sides while Isipathana crossed the opponents line on 13 occasions while the lossers could manage only 4 penalties put over in the first half. It was a brilliant display of rugby by the Isipathanians; open and fast rugby. They move the ball wherever and whenever they please as the DSS were rendered hapless. This was Isipathana’s second win.
With the 3rd week of matches scheduled for this week S’Thomas, Kingswood and St’Peters College remain unbeaten in Group A while Trinity and Isipathana College remain unbeaten in Group B
Singer Schools League 2014 Schools under 20 Division 1-A Rugby tournament Match Results for week 2
