Wesley down Trinity to end League on a high note
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Wesley dominated Trinity
Wesley College ended their League campaign on a high note when they defeated Trinity College 16-7 in their Singer Inter-Schools Under-19 Rugby Tournament encounter worked off at the Sugathadasa Stadium in Colombo yesterday.
After last week’s setback against Science College, Mount Lavinia, the Wesleyites came back into recognition with a strong performance as they collected their points from one goal and three penalties.
The Trinitians, who were trailing 0-13 at half time, made a determined effort to make a match of it with an improved performance in the second half as they touched down during the latter stages before they ran out of time.
In fact, the visitors were able to put a lot of pressure on their opponents during the last few minutes of the game while keeping the Wesleyites pinned in their territory. However, Wesley looked absolutely brilliant in their defence as they made some splendid spoiling work while depriving their opponents of going over their try-line.
Wesley started off in style with dynamic fly half Tharindu Walpitage firing across a neat penalty as early as in the third minute from 25 metres out. Wesley of course had the better of the exchanges in both scrums and line-outs as they went on to increase the lead with Walpitage making no mistake with his second penalty of the game.
Wesley scored their solitary try at the 30-minute mark when Janosha Mendis dived over mid-right after the entire pack had supported him following a successful five-metre scrum. Walpitage added the extra points and Wesley enjoyed a 13-0 lead going into half time.
Trinity started the second half in a more positive manner with their forwards and the three quarters showing a lot of urgency to make a comeback. But Wesley were able to counterattack whenever they got an opportunity and they extended the lead to 16-0 with another Walpitage penalty in the 51st minute.
Trinity then made a couple of replacements in a desperate attempt to score their first try and they were rewarded when substitute Damien Tennekoon fell over almost under the post for a push over try. Mihiranga Subasinghe added the extra points to reduce the margin and to lift their hopes but Wesley held on during the last couple of minutes to register a morale boosting victory.
Referee: Gihan Yatawara