The fast movers of the school division, Science College were not fortunate enough for a possible victory as the visitors Trinity College Kandy registered their fourth successive win in the Singer A Division School’s Rugby format beating the hosts in a close encounter this evening at Mount Lavinia with scores reading 22-17.
Both teams being highlighted to be the two quickest sides in the format this year, were expected to use their arsenal to some running rugby. Trinity were playing their third encounter at the Mount Lavinia grounds came into the game with the nightmares of that 2011 loss to Science in the very same place.
The game kicked off with the visitors taking full control of the first phases of play. The Science quarter-backs being the fast runners were looking for those open gaps in the Trinity defense to make a go to the try line. They finally got their motives satisfied as their outside center Kasun Maduranga picked his gap and sped through to score the first under the post (5-0). Maduranga was very unlucky in his first attempt at the post as it ended on hitting the cross bar.
Trinity replied right away from a 5 meter line out as the Trintiy forwards shoved through using the rolling maul as Rahul Karunathilake went over for the first for Trinity. Saranga Gunathilake missed his chance of getting the conversion straight leaving both teams at even grounds (5-5).
Tactical thinking by Kasun Madhuranga brought in the second Science try as this time around Maduranga who judged the absence of the full back of his opponents went over with ease for #2. He was spot on this time with the conversion as Science got themselves the lead (12-5). Trinity forced in a reply as they repeated their earlier attempt through their 5 meter attacking line out. This time it was Prop Shalendra Alahakoon who scored. Gunathilake’s conversion brought matters back to an even note (12-12).
Trinity’s third try made the difference between the team as a successful execution of their set pieces in the attacking 22 allowed center Ryan Weerakoon to score leftward of the posts. Weerakoon’s try marked the difference with the conversion coming through as the teams broke for lemons (19-12)
HT 19-12 (2G 1T to 1G 1 T)
The second half of play started off with the hosts once again utilizing their chances to score but failed to convert the valuable chances to points. Towards the 20th minute of play in the second half, Trinity was reduced to 14 men as Sachintha Dissanayaka was sin-binned for a dangerous tackle. Their counterparts having the undue advantage capitalized as Lakshan scored on the blind side on the left flag. The angled kick was a tough one for which Madhuranga missed giving Trinity the luxury of a two point lead. (19-17)
With the game still to find a victor, Science College were gifted two penalties within kicking distance which they opted to run rather than go for points. This cost them hugely as their quick tap runs did not finish in the try line. Trinity on the other hand went for points when they were awarded a penalty in their 22 and Saranga Gunathilake made no mistake to get the three on board 22-17.
With time catching up, Trinity College went on to register their fourth successive win this year to continue their unbeaten streak. The visitors were sloppy on the field with quite a number of opportunities going astray due to poor ball handling while Science College failed at many instances to capitalize on their opportunities.
Trinity will go in to the 71st Bradby Shield encounter unbeaten with much to take from this encounter and Science College will continue to hold on to that third place spot at the end of the fourth week.
ThePapare names Trinity’s Anuka Boyagoda and Science’s Kasun Maduranga as the Most Valuable Players.
Points Breakdown
Trinity 22 (2G 1T 1P) Tries by Shalendra Alahakoon, Ryan Weerakoon, Rahul Karunathilake & Conversion by Saranga Gunathilake
Science 17 (2T 1G) Tries by Kasun Madhuranga (2), R.D. Lakshan & Conversion by Kasun Madhuranga
