St. Peter’s College dominated from the onset and never slowed down as they beat the visiting Eagles in the 4th quarter final of the Milo Presidents trophy knockout competition, 39-12, booking a semifinal birth and retaining the Rectors trophy with it.
St. Peter’s came to the scene of their last defeat in the final league game — Royal Complex –, while the Eagles from Kandy landed in Colombo on the back of a victory which saw them end the Plate segment of the league as runners up.
The lads from Bambalapitiya started off as favorites to proceed through and made their intentions clear from the onset, however, both teams missed their opportunity to open the scoring, as the scores remained nil-all following the first few exchanges.
The early pressure told as the Peterites scored off an Antonian mistake following a knock which was pounced on by Rukshan Madusanka. Shehan Liyanapathirana made no mistake from under the sticks to make it a perfect seven. (SPC 07-00 SACK)
The next score for the lads from Bamba came off some sumptuous counter attack. Liyanapathirana ended what he began, breaking the back of the visitors defense, however, failed with the conversion, leaving the Anthonians searching for answers to get back into the game. (SPC 12-00 SACK)
Things only got worse for the boys from Kandy as they failed on numerous occasions to break through the defenses of St. Peter’s College.
Dilshan Madusanka punished the visitors after winger Janidu Himsara made a crucial error of carrying a bouncing ball back into the in-goal. Three phases later from the resulting scrum, Madusanka touched down beside the upright.
Liyanapathirana added the extras adding insult to injury as the visitors were held scoreless in the first half.
Half time: St. Peter’s College 19 (3T 2C) – St. Anthony’s College 00
Proceedings seemed tremendously promising for the lads from Bambalapitiya as they stormed out for the second half, however, it was the visitors who stunned the Pete’s and scored as Sohail Waseem finished off a sublime move he started in his own red-zone.
The halfback picked the pieces off a poor kick, returning it with vigour. Centre Ishara Liyanage broke off the back of Waseem’s pass, carrying the ball into the opposition half, and moments later the halfback found himself in possession, diving over to open the scoring for the visitors.
Chamodh Wanasinghe failed to add the extras as the hosts cut the deficit to two converted tries away (SPC 19-05 SACK)
The game opened up following the Eagles score, but both teams were denied tries off forward passes, however, that did no impede Sanath Martis’ side from extending their lead.
Wanasinghe’s day with the boot went from bad to worse as his clearance was charged down by Sunera Fernando to score beside the post. Liyanapathirana failed with the extras, however, a penalty moments earlier helped take the lead to over 20 points. (SPC 27-05 SACK)
St. Peter’s stepped on the gas, taking the tempo of the game a notch up and were rewarded with a converted try through Dilshan Madusanka as the Eagles outside-half Kavishka Jayasooriya was sin-binned for a high tackle.
The Anthonians pulled one back through Winger Niranga Ranaweera, however, the consolation try had no effect on the result as the end of the 2018 schools’ season drew ever so closer for the Eagles. (SPC 34-12 SACK)
Kenneth Wimaladasa was having a silent one till the final exchange of the game. The Peterite first receiver collected off a scrum and sprinted through the heart of a weary Antonian defense to add the final nail on the coffin.
Liyanapathirana did not have the best of days with the boot and went on to miss the final conversion as the game ended with the Peterites taking the Rector’s trophy and with it a spot in the Milo Presidents Trophy Knockout tournament 2018.
Full Time: St. Peter’s College 39 (6T 3C 1P) beat St. Antony’s College 12 (2T 1C)
ThePapare.com Player of the Match: Kenneth Wimaladasa (SPC 10)
Score breakdown:
St. Peters College – Rukshan Madusanka 1T, Shehan Liyanapathirana 1T 3C 1P, Dilshan Madusanka 2T, Sunera Fernanado 1T, Kenneth Wimaladasa 1T
St. Anthony’s College – Sohail Waseem 1T, Niranga Ranaweera 1T, Chamod Wanasinghe 1C
Booking – Kavishka Jayasooriya (Yellow, SACK)
