St. Peter’s College continued their dominance in the 2024 Dialog Schools Rugby League with a resounding 62-08 victory over Zahira College at Bambalapitiya.
St. Peter’s College began the game strongly, showcasing their skill by moving the ball seamlessly from the right side of the field to the left winger, Vihan Rusith, who capitalized on his exceptional speed to score. Surprisingly, Raul Peter missed the straightforward conversion opportunity. (SPC 05 – 00 ZC)
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The Peterites opted to utilize their backs and employ a running strategy, while Zahira chose to play through their forwards. Zahira capitalized on an opportunity when Revone Perera received a yellow card for St. Peter’s College, allowing Zahira’s pack to capitalize. After playing through several phases, Ahmed Arafath powered through to score, levelling the game. (SPC 05 – 05 ZC)
The defending champions continued to play a fast-paced brand of rugby, executing another impressive passing sequence that culminated in Nethushan Manthusha sprinting to the try line to reclaim the lead. Raul Peter successfully kicked the conversion from a challenging angle, splitting the uprights with precision. (SPC 12 – 05 ZC)
Just before the break, the Peterites scored using their tap and run strategy, swiftly making inroads through the Zahira defence. A rapid distribution of the ball from the ruck by Raul Peter allowed Salith Gallage to squeeze in at the corner and score. Raul added the extras effortlessly.
The Peterites conceded a penalty at the breakdown on the last play of the half, allowing Basith Feroz to successfully kick a penalty and reduce the deficit.
Half Time: St. Peter’s College 19 (3T,2C) – Zahira College 08 (1T,1P)
St. Peter’s started the second half much like they had ended the first, with their backs applying relentless pressure on Zahira. Quick passes from the Peterites created an overlap, allowing Pasindu Bandara to deliver a wide pass that sent Aiden Fernando racing into the right corner to score the bonus point try. (SPC 24 – 08 ZC)
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The Peterite forwards capitalized on their field position by scoring two consecutive tries. Firstly, Skipper Dulaj Nawodya shrugged off the attention of several defenders to score. A few minutes later, Revone Perera powered his way through to the try line, with Raul Peter converting both tries successfully. (SPC 38 – 08 ZC)
St. Peter’s made several replacements as they extended their lead, giving their forwards more opportunities to make strong carries towards the try line. Replacement scrum-half Praneeth Silva spotted a gap opening on the blind side and executed a clever move to dive over and score. (SPC 43 – 08 ZC)
The floodgates opened for the Maradana outfit as the Bamba Brigade unleashed some scintillating rugby. Yumeth Shihara breached the defence and touched down after a seamless combination with Vishenka Silva. A few phases later, a well-timed pass from Aiden Fernando found the try-scoring machine of the Bamba Brigade, Vishenka Silva, who dashed 50 meters to score, eluding the Zahira defence. (SPC 57 – 08 ZC)
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To cap off this resounding victory, Vishenka Silva scored the try of the match. Another simple pass towards the wing created space for Silva, who shrugged off two defenders, evaded another two, and delivered a powerful handoff to propel himself over the try line, securing the 10th try of the game.
Full Time: St. Peter’s College 62 (10T,6C) – Zahira College 08 (1T,1P)
NDB Player of the Match: Salith Gallage (St. Peter’s College)
Points Breakdown
St. Peter’s College: 62
Vihan Rusith 5 points (1T), Nethushan Manthusha 5 points (1T), Salith Gallage 5 points (1T), Aiden Fernando 5 points (1T), Dulaj Nawodya 5 points (1T), Revone Perera 5 points (1T), Praneeth Silva 5 points (1T), Yumeth Shihara 5 points (1T), Vishenka Silva 10 points (2T), Raul Peter 10 points (5C), Ashok Krishan 2 points (1C).
Zahira College 08
Ahmed Arafath 5 points (1T), Basith Feroz 3 points (1P)
