S.Thomas’ College bounced back strongly from last week’s loss, inflicting Dharmaraja their second defeat in as many matches 39 (5T, 4C, 2P) – 26 (4T, 3C).
Both sides were coming off two defeats in week one, against Science College and Trinity College and though it was a high scoring affair it was the indiscipline and yellow cards that took center stage. As many as five yellow cards and two red cards were dished out by referee Irshad Cader.
Hosts, S.Thomas’ College coach Jivan Goonethilake was stressing more on their execution of play which had let them down in the opener.
“Two changes Praveen Ferdinando at flyhalf, Hans Walpola drops to the bench and Jurampathy starts in the wing. Nothing wrong with the tactics it’s just that we need to play better. Execution was the problem and planning on doing better and lot more efficiently,” he told ThePapare.com.
As for Dharmaraja they came back strongly against Trinity but it was too little too late, and Assistant coach Subodha Kalupe mentioned they have rectified their mistakes.
“Nothing much changed from last week; we plan on doing the same things we practiced on and we are confident of the win.” Kalupe added.
It was the hosts who came out of the blocks with intent scoring inside the first ten minutes using the superior pack to advantage and Ashwantha Herath stepping in as place-kicker for Hans Walpola slotted in giving a 7-0 lead.
Dharmaraja came close to the try line but S.Thomas’ turned into an attacking threat as Jurampathy earned his side a penalty for holding on after a 60 meter kick and chase. Herath opted for the posts and made it 10-0.
The visitors as in the last match showed they were slow starters and quickly bounced back with P.H.Epa scoring under the post as they spread the ball wide from an attacking lineout. Captain Viraj Weerasekara added the easy two points cutting the lead to just three. 10-07
Towards the end of the first half Ashwantha added another penalty making it 13-07 but the Thomians were reduced to 14 when Rathnayake was sin-binned for continuous infringements on the stroke of halftime.
The second half started with Rajans pilling on the pressure and S.Thomas’ were down to 12 men when firstly Herath was sin binned and minutes later Pandula De Silva for not dropping back 10 meters for a penalty.
Dharmaraja were camped in the opposition red zone but were unable to make the break for large periods of time as the Thomian defense held off the storm gallantly. However it was bound to wear-off and Tharaka Rathnayake crossed over the white wash. Weerasekara’s conversion was good. 13-14.
After the Thomians got two of their players back from the sin-bin the nippy Rajans scrum-half Hurigolla dived over for another try showing ominous signs for the hosts. 13-19.
In a twist of fortunes just as S.Thomas’ were back to full strength Dharmaraja were reduced to 14 men and Herath punished almost instantly going over for the try and converted for good measure resting back the lead determined not to give back. 20-19.
The school by the sea lads sensing blood used their huge forward pack as battering rams and hooker Pandula making up for his yellow card scored the third try and prop Deshapriya added another to secure the bonus point with Herath adding the extra points. 32-19.
Unlike the Rajans S.Thomas’ took full use of the extra man and scored their fifth try and Herath converted making it 39-19. Dharmaraja player was red carded in the build-up to that try.
In a last ditch effort to gain some pride Dharmaraja went on the offense and were within striking distance when Thomian hooker Pandula De Silva took down a player with a dangerous tackle and Cader had no hesitation in showing him the second yellow, resulting in a red card. Rajans’ Basu Rajapakse scored near the post and Ishara Deshapriya converted making the final score 39-26.
ThePapare.com’s Player of the Match – Ashwantha Herath
