St. Peters edge past Isipathana in a thriller at all island 7s

The defending triple champions Isipathana College’s hearts were broken by St. Peters College in a nail biting finale at the Royal Sports Complex in the all island inter school 7s tournament.

Cup semi finals –

Isipathana 17 – S Thomas 12 

Peters 21 – Trinity 5 

The big final began with Pathana looking to win their 3rd consecutive title. Peters going into the final had come in with more momentum and confidence following dominant performances and super physical conditioning. 

The encounter began with Peters kicking off from right to left.  Within the  first 2 minutes Petes were on the back foot and were rocked when skipper Kevin Dickson was sent to the bin following a high tackle.   

Nevertheless with the extra man Pathana began their surge to the try line and would have drawn blood first if not for a knock on right in front by skipper Omalka Gunarathne. His pick and go was right under the post and this miss was the difference maker in the final score, Even though it was this early chances to score were few for both sides due to the determination and compact nature of both defences. Pathana however made the extra man count finally with Dickson still in the bin as Dilan Gallage  outpaced his opposite number. His momentum almost took him over the dead line but his quick feet prevailed as the winger came inside to make the conversion easier. 

The outside half Kongahawatta stepped up and under pressure but could not convert. The 1st half did not get better for the Bambalapitya clan as Romesh Fernando was shown the way to the bin for an infringement deemed by red Drinka Pieris. Things in terms of discipline got even worse when it was 6 on 6 as Ushan Silva from Isipathana was sent to the bin for not retreating ten meters. That saw the end of the first half. All to do for Peters.

Half time: 5 nil Pathana

Second half resumption was a sign of what was to come as the kick off didn’t make the ten meters. Peters capitalised and made their way into the opponent’s half venturing for points. Some constant pressure saw Arshana Pieris score in the corner for the Peterites. This came about from a scrum down and lovely acceleration by the Peterite skipper who released his speedster on the outside. Arshana managed to curve in and score under the post which meant Dickson found it all but too easy to slot it over. 5 – 7 in favour of Peters who were looking to discover some past sevens glory. 

The game went on with both teams defending well. A slight rush of blood saw another Peterite Nishon Perera given a yellow card for an illegal tackle from behind. Peters now down to 6 again with seconds remaining and in the lead by 2. 

Controversy had to add its final touches as game .was delayed due to a certain issue. The Peterite coaching staff led their team off the field however returned a few minutes later to resume the game. 

Tensions ran high but the Peterites were determined to hold on to the lead. As play resumed Pathana had one last chance but a knock on saw the dream of winning their third consecutive title was over. SPC held on for a famous victory and quite deserving win in the end for the hard word determination and grit shown after going down to six men on three occasions. 

Plate semi finals –

St Josephs 26 – Dharmaraja 5

D S Senanayake 19 – Science 14

Plate Final

St Josephs v DS Senanayake

DS kicked-off from left to right 

1st try came after 2 minutes after lovely combination play between Joes captain Tariq and Romesh Priyanke. The latter scoring besides the post making the conversion for Shamilka Kurumbulapitiya a cake walk.  Moments later Priyanke was at it again with another try this time running across the field to score near the right side touch flag. The following conversion was brilliantly put over from the corner flag. Frustration grew as DS saw a player sent to the bin for a high tackle. Joes immediately capitalizing as little man Suneth Chathuranga jogged across the try line after once again some good work from the Joes skipper. Tariq picked the ball up during some scrappy play and released the Chathuranga who had one to beat. Shamilka added the extra points at half time Joes in total command leading 21nil 

Half time – Joes 21 nil 

DS looked adventurous throwing caution to the wind but finally succumbed to some quality set piece rugby. Vimukthi the beneficiary on this occasion for Joes as the outside center was too good for his marker Shamilka this time finding the corner flag kick a bit out of his range. In the dying moments DS finally proved why they deserved to be in the plate finals as a lovely sweeping move off a turn over saw them score their first try of the game. The DS winger a bit too quick for the covering defense of Joes who were on their heels knowing they had already wrapped the plate championship up. 

Full time Joes 26-DS 5

Bowl semi finals –

Anthony 17 Wesley 12

Kingswood 19 Piliyandala Central 12

Bowl Final

St Anthony 19 Kingswood17

Early pressure from Anthonies saw winger number 7 score first try and tough conversion missed.

In the next minute a breakaway try by Kingswood big boy forward number 3 scored besides the post and the fly half number 8 converted easily. Towards the end of the first half a classic 7’s set play saw Anthonies speedster number 7 touch down in the corner making the conversion a bit too tough for the kicker. 

Half time 10 – 7 Anthonies leading

Total Kingswood fight-back and domination saw a try and goal scored by numbers 2 and speedster 7. Score 10 – 19 kings. In extra time St Anthonies rallied to score one more try through number 7 winger and managed to convert but that was the final whistle. 

Full Time 19- 17 King’s victory

Shield final

Sylvester 5 Mahanama 22