A resilient performance by the Trinity outfit saw them booking their qualification to the semi-finals in the Milo President’s Knock outs defeating D.S. Senanayaka Collegr 41-14 in their quarter final game at the Royal Complex.
The first ten minutes gave the spectators the thoughts of a miraculous win for the D.S. team considering the manner they played but they were unable to sustain it. The Don’s won the game in the first 10 minutes but lost the rest.
It was a perfect start for D.S. as full back Romesh Priyankara followed a kicking strategy to keep the ball in their attacking 22. Despite the excellent display from the boots of Romesh, D.S. didn’t have the strength to move the two three meters to the try line.
However their efforts bore fruit when skipper Sachintha Abeysekara spotted the solitary gap to score the first.
The try came in as a rude shock for the lads from Kandy and with the conversion by Ashroff, the common spectator had the predictions of a major upset coming in their way.
A powerful forward run by Rahul Karunathilake from a Sanushka Abeywickrema offload saw him dragging his defender with him to the try line to score the first try for Trinity (5-7). Fly half Lashane Wijesuriya gave Trinity the equalizing points (7-7).
Right away from the restart came the forceful attack by Ryan Weerakoon who broke through the defense and had to do some skipping to score under the posts (12-7). Sanushka converted (14-7).
The two freshers in the team Geshan Pethiyagoda and Ayesha Edirisinghe crafted a beautiful third try for the side as Geshan Pethiyagoda was successful to chase Edirisinghe’s box kick to score (19-7). Wijesuriya missed the conversion.
Just before lemons Trinity opted to go for points at the 22m line which Sanushka Abeywickrema kicked successfully to end the first passage of play.
Half Time 22-7
The first half was nothing different to the first. As per the first, D.S. Senanayaka got hands on the ball to score another in the first few minutes. It was Wishal who crossed over for the try on the outside and Ashroff added the rest (14-22).
Disappointingly, the Dons had the luxury of stamina only in their first ten minutes. Sanushka Abeywickrema staged a 40 meter run right away from the restart before sending it off to Weerakoon who allowed Diluksha Dange to do the final honors of scoring (27-14). Lashane added the extras (29-14).
Dange was followed up by Sanushka, who scored two back to back tries to elevate scores further up. Lashane converted one of the two Sanushka tries (41-14).
As referee Priyantha Gunarathne blew for the final time, Trinity took home their qualification for the semi-finals where they will face defending champions Isipathana College.
Full Time 41-14
In an overall point Trinity will need to improve in their attacking strategies as they lacked communication at few instances and will need to formulate a better attacking plan if they intend to overcome the green army.
D.S. Senanyaka College conclude their 2015 run with the quarter finals. They surely have no regret this season as they got themselves the promotion pass for the top division next season. Overall the Dons should be pleased with their performance.
