Last year’s league runner-up and knockout champions Wesley College seals a much needed win overpowering D.S. Senanayake 42 – 10 at CR & FC grounds today.
Wesley Centre Ishara Madushan kicked off the game for the Double Blues on a perfect day to play rugby. Both teams took on each other from the start of play with the intention of sealing a place in the league. D.S. Senanayake who was below Wesley on the points table was desperate for a much wanted victory and for Wesley it was a matter of pride.
Wesley scored an early try from a lovely workout through their three quarters with the help of their No. 11 K. Samaratunga to take initial lead over D.S. Senanayke 5 – 0. The conversion was unsuccessful as the ball soared past the side of the goal post from a kick made by skipper Joel Tillekeratne.
Score did not move after the first try until the 20th minute, however a brilliant footwork of Ishara Madhushan and his off load pass was collected by Lasindu Prasad the full back makes no mistake in scoring the second try for double blues. Conversion was not successful. (10 – 00)
Sithum Peiris showed his strength once again bringing 3 defenders down which created Mithila Perera to score one more try on a pick and go in the ruck where referee had to make a decision with the touch judge to give the try. Lasindu Prasad made no mistake in converting. (17 – 00)
D.S giving their maximum effort in the Wesley territory, unfortunately a knock on advantage played by Wesley and once again the first try scorer K. Samaratunga made a brilliant 60m run and a wonderful solo effort try in left corner. An unsuccesful conversion by Lahiru Prasad as score was ticked (22- 00)
It was a mismatched affair but there was much intensity as both teams worked every plan up their sleeves. The pressure was getting in to the heads of the boys from D.S. as they struggled in desperation to score. Just before the lemons Wesley capitalizing the opportunity with ball position and sensational Ishara Madhushan side step two defenders and made his try effortless, as the score moved 27 with the missed conversion.
Half Time : Wesley 27 – DS 00
Wesley played safe in the 2nd half as they blocked the Senanayakians with the same game plan from the 1st half. Though after a few minutes D.S. were back to their style of play as they pushed the Wesley defense back.
In the 50th minute D.S. Skipper H.M. Wijekoon scored a much wanted try to help them out of a pit. As the conversion was taken and another given by the referee were both unsuccessful which was not great for D.S.
T. Anojithan proves why he was brought on to the team as he pushes through the D.S. defense even after being tackled hard. Former player from Hindu College, it is hoped that he would give his team something to cheer about with the immense of talent that he has.
The violent No. 8 of Wesley College, Sithum Peiris scores a try with ease as he breaks through the D.S. defense. 32 – 05 with the immense amount of experience Sithum would be a hard opponent for the rest.
Another try came about for Wesley as Ishara Madushanka scored off a boot to keep down the scores 37 – 05.
D.S. would have liked to speed up the scoring but they were out of their league. However, their resilience and mind power would not let them give up as Charith Kariyawasam scores a try from a pass through the Wesley defense.
Wesley took charge of the ball yet again to hover the score 42-10 with the help of Omar Rizan.
The game was Wesley’s all along. As we hit full time the Wesley team had a win towards their name and for D.S. a momentum they valued the most.
Full time : Wesley 42– D.S. 10
