St. Peter’s hold S. Thomas’ to 22 all draw
Young referee K. Jamaldeen had to be escorted out of the grounds by officials at the end of the St. Peter’s – S. Thomas’ Inter-school rugby game which ended in a 22 all draw at the Peterite grounds in Bambalapitiya yesterday.
Protesters booed at the referee after the game and he was taken into the pavilion under the protection of the officials.
Dion Dias, the Thomian scrum half, had a golden opportunity of giving the Thomians a win but he fluffed a sitter of a penalty in the dying moments of the game.
Until then the scores were deadlocked at 22 each. St. Peter’s were lying sixth and S. Thomas’ were seventh in the points table before the game. The Peterites who came into the game full of confidence, after their convincing win over Zahira the previous weekend.
The game was also played for the Archibald Perera Trophy. The Thomians were the holders after their 36-13 win last year and the Peterites were looking forward to regain it.
With the game ending in a 22 all draw, the Thomians will retain the Trophy this year.
The Peterites entered the game with a better record in the school season, winning five games as opposed to the three by the Thomians.
S. Thomas’ scored first through winger Naveen Heenkankanamage and Dion Dias converted to put them ahead at 7-0. St. Peter’s scored next through a penalty by Arun Ferdinando to cut down the Thomians lead to 3-7.
The Peterites came battling into the game and scored a try mid left through Julian to take the lead at 15-7. S. Thomas’ scored next through Theekshana Dasanayake enabling Diyath Fernando to convert and took back the lead at 15-12. This was the score at half time.
On resumption S. Thomas’ increased the lead to 22-12 through a try by Shanuka Perera which was converted. Another conversion by Dion Dias made it 22 all. The scores remained deadlocked at this score for a considerable time until the penalty by Dion Dias was fluffed in the dying moments, depriving the Thomians of a victory.