The first match after the new year break of the Singer League 2014 was played today between St. Peter`s College, Colombo 04 and Dharamaraja College, Kandy at the Air Force Grounds Ratmalana. Peterites continuing the winning streak which commenced when they beat Science College, scored off their hat-trick win today. The Kandy lads coming in to the game with a much needed victory yet again failed to execute their plans to lift them up to that position. At full time score board read in favour of the Blue, White and Gold brigade 41-15.
With the overcast sky without a single drop of rain and a slight wind blowing over it was perfect conditions for an evening game of rugby at the picturesque Air Force Grounds. Both the teams took time to settle down and play their own game on the rich grass of the Airmen. The teams were taking their chances to get the score board ticking when the Rajan`s missed a penalty that was awarded in favour of them in the fifth minute. Right after that the Peterite fly half Shamri Burah missed the scoring opportunity which was initiated by Kevin Dixon. Basic errors in passing the ball and working the line were witnessed by all the lads in the first phase.
However the defending champions bisected the uprights in the sixteenth minute of the game of a penalty awarded in favour of them which and took the early lead of the game.
(SPC-00 DRCK-03)
The strong Peterite outfit were right back in the game in the twenty fifth minute when Kevin Dixon drew the curtains apart for St. Peter`s College when he touched the ball down right under the post executing sheer pace after the receiving a cut out pass from his teammate. Burah sailed through the uprights and got the points for his side.
(SPC – 07 DRCK – 03)
It was party time for the Peterites right after. In the twenty eighth minute of the game Peterite flanker Nishon Perera got the crowd in to the sidelines when he scored his first for the game through the possession initiated by Kevin Dixon and Burah`s boots yet again made the white flags go up when he bought full value to the try. (SPC -14 DRCK-03)
It was a massive blow to the Bambalapitya camp when Kevin Dixon and the Peterite winger Shallon Direkze walked out of the field to due to injuries during the game. Replacements proved how strong the Peterite bench could be when Deshan Fernando touched the ball on the left side of the lawn which was initiated by the off load pass by Burah during the thirty first minute of the game. Though the conversion failed it was spectacular try which bought the start for a lot more eye catching moves. (SPC -19 DRCK-03)
Momentum was building up and the Peterites were hungry for more. It was show down in the thirty fifth minute, when their prop forward off loaded a pass to Ranith Sliva where he ran down with immense pace leaving the defenders mere spectators with his lovely side step and foot work touching the ball right under the post. Burah found touch and bisected the uprights. (SPC -26 DRCK – 03)
It was pressure on the minds of the hill country lads with the shifting of the gears by the Colombo boys. They were trying hard to find their touch in the game but crucial mistakes on basic errors were taking it away from them. Just minutes away before the blow of the whistle for lemons, Rajan No.8 Adikari scored off a pick and go which bought hopes for a strong comeback in the second half for them proving anybody’s game to take back home. Conversion failed. (SPC -26 DRCK -08)
Half Time – St.Peter`s College – 26 Dharamaraja College – 08
The minds of the Rajan supporters expected a strong come back with a new strategy but the mistakes continued and the home team gained the better of it. Colombo boys passed on the message that they wanted to finish off what they started on a high note. The fifty second minute of saw some sloppy play by the Kandy boys when Ranith Silva ran through with the ball and started troubling the scorers and touched the ball down on the left corner on green grass for the Petes. (SPC – 31 DRCK – 08)
The Peterite No. 8 Frank Roger was doing what the doctor had prescribed for them and broke off in a blink of an eye and passed on the to the scrum half Steve Dharamaratne who covered the ground with immense pace, left the Kandy lads trailing after. Sandesh Jayawickrama taking the responsibility to sail the ball through succeeded his attempt.
(SPC – 38 DRCK- 08)
Meanwhile Dharmaraja were playing all the tricks that they bought down to Colombo and were playing positive rugby still believing in the much needed victory. But the home team showed that they have done their home work well. The Peterite skipper was yellow carded for the third time in the tournament when everything else was on their side. He was sent off the field to calm his self down and he should set an example for the rest as a senior player in the outfit.
The Kandy full back Bandara initiated a fantastic play in the sixty eighth minute of the game but failed to finish it off in style and bring full value and now they were in a battle against the clock and the scores without options in their hands.
A penalty was called off in the seventy third minute of the game due to hands on the ruck in favour of the Peterites and Burah helped the home team to pass over the forty mark. (SPC- 41 DRCK – 08)
At the end Kandy finding some luck under their belts Samarakoon scored off a penalty try and bisected the uprights to revive lost glory of being the defending champions. (SPC -41 DRCK -15)
It was anybody`s game at the start but Peterites proved that they are ready to accept the challenge and to nail it down just with rugby filled with talent. It was game worth on the money spent by the spectators where school boy rugby was showcased at its best. Referee stopped the clock when it struck eighty minutes to declare the hat-trick win for St.Peter`s College, Colombo 04 where they still stand unbeaten.
Full time – St. Peter`s College – 41 Dharamaraja College -15
ThePapare player of the match – Peterite No. 8 Frank Roger
