Wesley College dominated the 31st L E Blaze Memorial trophy over Kingswood College, which is marked as one of the most prestigious encounters in both of the school calendars. It was too easy for the double blues as they led 26 – 00 in the half time and finishing a thumping 57(T9 C6) to 07 (T1 C1) at Royal Complex.
The double blues – Wesley College was given the ‘tag dark horses’ at the beginning of the season where they surprised many teams in the first round showcasing some outstanding play thus naturally Wesley came in to the field today as the favorites. Whereas Kingswood the oldest rugby playing school walked into the pitch with nothing to lose but to retain the prestigious L.E.Blaze trophy with their new coaching consultant Mothilal Jayathilake.
It was indeed a beautiful weather for rugby at Reid Avenue where Kingswood kicked off the game but the kick failed to reach the 10 meter mark.
Album – 31st L.E Blaze Memorial Trophy – Wesley vs Kingswood
The double blues showed some mature rugby skills by playing the fast open game, they were very good in the breakdowns and set-piece. Winger Ranaweera scored the first try in the far left after some great team work and unselfish play by Avantha Lee and last year’s captain Omar Kuthubdeen’s passes. Minutes later Kingswood had a kickable 15m penalty but the opted to go for the touch, perhaps that was where they lost the momentum of early points on the board. However, since then it was well managed game as Avishka Lee supplied some quick balls and also the man of the match Murshid Zubair distributing and making good decisions at pivotal points which was a treat to watch.
Wesley blazed through for three more tries through Kuthubdeen, Zubair and Sashika Ashan the number 8. Scrum half Lee made 3 out of 4 conversion in the first half. Kingswood could not settle down as Wesley capitalised the ball position and the territorial play. Kuthubdeen made a fine try saving tackle on Kingswood winger soon after he scored his first try. Wesley’s loose forwards was brilliant as well also the lock forward Avishka who made some great yards with his fast line breaks. Kingswood had odd chances storming towards the Wesley half but was in vain as they could not hold on possession before the break.
WC 26 (4T 3C P0) KCK 00
Fan Album – 31st L.E Blaze Memorial Trophy
After lemons with a comfortable lead for the hosts, Kingswood planned to score and change the rhythm of the attack. Wesley restarted ticking the points and in the seventh minute of the second half, but until the 78th minute it was Wesley who dominated pretty much every aspect of the game. The Lee brothers were outstanding along with the skipper Zayan Sabar also making an impact after couple of knock-ons in the first half. Kingswood certainly had the talent but they were just clueless to defend the opposition’s running pattern. Avantha, Walipitagama and Bahardeen scored some good tries in quick succession for the Wesleyites, whilst Kuthubdeen and Zubair scored their second.
Slight rain in the second half also helped the fitness as they managed to capitalize points. Kingswood had only the consolation try in the dying stage through Ekanayake which was converted by fly half Ranaweera. This performance will really put Kingswood under pressure in terms of playing the segment 1 next year. As they now play the Singer schools league in the plate segment alongside St. Joseph’s, D.S.Senanayake, Prince of Wales and Mahanama College.
Nevertheless, this Wesley team who lost by 2 points to Trinity and by 3 points to Royal in the first round of the league, will be itching to make a surprise in the second round which starts from 28th May 2016.
ThePapare Player of the match – Murshid Zubair (Wesley College)
FT – WC 57 (9T 6C 0P) Ranaweera 1 M.Zubair 2 Akthab 1 Omar Kuthubdeen 2 S.Ashan 1 T.Avantha 1 Walipitigama 1 Bahardeen 1 Converted by M.zubair
KCK 07 (1T 1P) Ekanayake 1 Converted by Ranaweera
 - 07 (T1 C1) win. Kingswood scored a consolation try in the last minute of the game.){kind=link}