Trinity College pulled off a scrappy but deserving victory over St. Thomas’ College as they managed to retain the Canon R. S. De Saram Shield for the 4th year running. Despite the halftime scores reading 07-08 in favor of the Thomians, Trinity managed to finish 17-08 as their opponents were down to 13 and were gifted many opportunities.
The Thomians looked very confident early on in the game as they scored their very first try in the opening minutes of the game. Which happened to be the only try scored throughout. Janidu Thilakaratne scored off the short line out and the rolling maul was formed. Jaan De Zoysa’s kick went astray. (00-05)
The game was rather scrappy from there in as knock-ons and stolen line outs were abundant from both sides. Sakith Perera at one point cut through the Trinity defense but couldn’t hold onto the ball on the try line. Rahul Dhanaraj was yellow carded and the Thomians were unable to hold possession on several occasions as their line outs were no straight.
There was one breakthrough when Ovin Hettiarachchi dashed 40m and was stopped close to the try line but the Thomians opted to go for the 3 points when awarded a penalty. Jaan De Zoysa didn’t miss this kick right in front of the posts. (00-08)
The final minutes of the first half saw Trinity inching closer to the Thomian defence and Asiri Kodithuwakku went through untouched. Thamuditha Dodanwatte added 2 points to narrow the gap to just a single point before half time.
Half time – Trinity College 7 (1T 1C) – S. Thomas’ College 8 (1T 1P)
The second half started reasonably well for Trinity despite the early misjudgment in the high ball collection. Trinity College held on very well and Rahul Dhanaraj scored Trinity’s second try. Dodanwatte’s kick went astray. (12-08)
Things were not going well for STC as they received their second yellow card and it was their scrum-half, Sakith Perera. Trinity managed to cross the try line once again but Koojana Kulatunga was held up. Not long after both teams were playing with 14 men on the park as Trinity hooker Asiri Kodithuwakku was yellow carded for dangerous play.
Both teams were guilty of gifting continuous penalties to each other and only had themselves to blame for bad ball handling. However, the replacements came in for Trinity and it paved well for them as they scored their 3rd and final try of the game through replacement hooker Dulara Alawattegama. Dodanwatte’s kick went astray once again.
The Thomians were playing a very energetic match which was not seen throughout the second half. They almost scored a try, had Koojana Kulatunga not collecting the ball close to the deadline. Jaan De Zoysa missed the penalty which further demoralised the Thomians. They suffered heavy blows and Shanil Samarakkody and Jaan De Zoysa were sin-binned and had to play with 13 men in the last 3 minutes. Trinity also were reduced to 14 men, the 6th yellow card of the day as referee Jamaldeen was very strict on dangerous play. In the end, costly ball handling by the Thomians and stout defense by the Trinitians saw the home team secure the first W of the season.
Full Time – Trinity College 17 (3T 1C) – S. Thomas’ College 08 (1T 1P)
- Player of the match- Ruvishan Pananwala (Trinity)
- Referee- Arshad Jamaldeen
Trinity College-
Tries – Asiri Kodithuwakku, Rahul Dhanaraj, Dulara Alawattegama
Conversions-
Yellow cards – Rahul Dhanaraj, Asiri Kodithuwakku, Umar Mohomad
Thomas’ College-
Tries – Janidu Thilakaratne
Penalties – Jaan De Zoysa
Yellow cards – Sakith Perera, Shanil Samarakkody, Jaan De Zoysa
