Vidura wins inaugural rugby big match
View(s):Vidura College Colombo emerged victorious against President’s College Maharagama at the inaugural Big Match Rugby encounter launched at 
the CR&FC grounds in Longdon Place Colombo last week. Two games were played on the big day where rugby players, students, officials,teachers, parents and well-wishers of both schools gathered in numbers to celebrate the event. Vidura College won both encounters – the Under-20 and Under-16 – in similar margins by 10-0 after a grueling, absorbing and well-fought game of rugby.
In the main encounter, the Under-20, Vidura College took the lead with an early unconverted try from Nipuna Sri to lead the first half by 5-0. Sahan Perera added another unconverted try after the turnaround to make it 10-0 in favour of the winners. Presidents College gave a tough fight but ran out of luck as their opponents snatched a thrilling and historic win.
In the Under-16 encounter, which was the prelude to the main clash, Vidura College won the game in similar fashion as their seniors did. Manuka Dilum barged through the Presidents College defence to score the first try which went unconverted as Vidura College took a 5-0 lead at halftime. Naveen Keshava managed to penetrate the Presidents College defence in the second 
half to add another unconverted try as Vidura College walked out as the deserving winners by 10-0.
Earlier this season, Vidura College stamped their authority in schools rugby by impressive win in the first ever major tournament they appeared by winning the Bowl championship of 
the Milo Sri Lanka Schools Under-18 Division II 10s tournament. Vidura College won three games and lost one and was one of the 36 teams that took part in the 10s competition which featured some of the finely tuned up school rugby teams. With that initiative Vidura College highly focuses on the game of rugby as a potential team sport that could give bring glory and pride to their institution. The Rugby Big Match was inaugurated with that intention stated Manager of Sports of Vidura College, Upali de Silva.
Dilanjan Perera, who plays a dual role as coach and master-in-charge, has worked tirelessly to shape up a result oriented unit from the potentially talented rugby players of Vidura. The winning team under the leadership of Thumula Fernando comprised Nipuna Fernando, Nipuna Ranasinghe, Kavisha Wijeratne, Sahan Perera, Kulith Gamage, Oshen Weerasinghe, Chamath Fernando, Lakshan Dissanayake, Lakshan Paranawithana, Ashen Amarajeewa, Ravindu Kulawardene, Naveen de Silva, Lahiru Udana, Mahima Iddamalgoda, Akila Dep, Nushan Weerasinghe, Dhaneesha Ranaweera, Udara Vimukthi, Deelaka Dissanayaka, Udayanga Dissanayaka, Charith Dep, Harish Dep, Yowan Vinditha and Heshan Bandara.
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Pix by Amila Gamage