Zahira College recorded only their second win in the 2019 schools rugby season in their final match against Maliyadeva College at Maradana earlier today. The home team led 17 – 14 at half time and went on to win the game 33 – 19.
The home team opened the scoring through the forwards who drove over the 5 meter line as Mohommed Mirzan stretched out to jot the ball over the whitewash 20 minutes into the game. Abdul Salaam made no mistake with the conversion as he added the extra two. With just 5 minutes to go before half time, the visitors evened the scores after Kaveen Dahanayake broke through the center drawing first blood. Skipper, Kaushalya Gunaweera bisected the posts as both teams were fighting neck-to-neck.
At the brink of half time, the Zahirian hooker, Mohommed Nafees, surprised the Devans after bursting over a ruck from 10 meters away. Salaam made no mistake the second time as well, putting his team on a 7 point cushion at the end of the first half.
Half time: ZC led 14 – 7 MC
10 minutes into the second half, the Zahirians extended their lead once again through the forwards, who inch by inch closed towards the try line and pushed the prop, Fazlath Fahmy, over the whitewash. Salaam slotted a successful conversion as the home team began dominating. Salaam added his name on the score sheet yet again, this time after scoring a try in the 53rd minute of the game. He made no mistake with the conversion.
As the end of the game approached, Zahira College sealed the deal when Mohommed Nafees scored his second try after picking and going in the Maliyadeva red-zone. Dilshan Pramujith and Bawantha Weerasekara scored for Maliyadeva, but couldn’t beat the clock as Referee Gihan Yatawara blew the final whistle, confirming a Zahira victory.
However, both teams will be relegated to the Division 1 Segment ‘B’ for the 2020 Singer Schools Rugby League, as Vidyartha and Dharmaraja College earn themselves a promotion for next year.
Full time: ZC won 33 (5T 4C) – 19 MC (3T 2C)
Score Breakdown ZCC
- Tries: Mohommed Nafees 2, Abdul Salaam, Fazlath Fahmy, Mohommed Mirzan
- Conversions: Abdul Salaam 4
- Bookings: Dilshan Manapperuma, Imath Shane
Score Breakdown MC
- Tries: Bawantha Weerasekara, Dilshan Pramujith, Kaveen Dahanayake
- Conversions: Kaushalya Gunaweera
- Bookings: Bawantha Weerasekara