Fernando hat-trick takes Petes to KO final
Peterite Raveen Fernando played a key role for the winners - Pic by Priyantha Wickramaarachchi
Seventeen-year-old Peterite winger G.I.S. Fenando was all the rage, and the toast of the Peterites, as he contributed all three tries to the team’s tally on the way to a grimly fought 19 (2 goals, 1 try) to 14 (2 goals) win over Isipathana in their Presidents Trophy Rugby Knockout semi-final at the Royal Complex yesterday.
If one expected delightful, running rugby that kept the crowd on the edge of their seats, one was bound to be disappointed. The stakes were high as a place in the final was up for grabs. Isipathana probably had slightly more power, but the spirited Peterites countered that with more pace.
The match tended to get out of hand as the contest on the field was fierce. At the final whistle blown by Ishanka Abeykoon, there was a free-for-all in the centre of the field. Thankfully, the Police were on the job in no time and this helped to defuse the situation. Those two Imposters, Triumph and Disaster, were not treated the same.
Pathana had territorial advantage in the first half, but had only a goal to show for their efforts. Handling was poor and the passing loose. According to the sequence of events, it was always the winners who scored first. Pathana were left to play catch-up rugby. Seven-all at lemons, it became 14-all in the middle of the second half.
At times, Pathana made the wrong choices and this did not help their cause. What was obvious was that the Havelock Town lads had become a very different entity to what it was in the first round of the League.
It took 13 minutes for the first score. In a move that began in midfield, the Peterites exchanged a couple of passes and then sent winger Fernando on his way. He outran the defence by scorching along the right touchline to fall over. Reliable kicker Thenuka Nanayakkara provided the icing on the cake (7-0).
Stung to the quick by these happenings, Pathana stepped up the tempo of their attacks. They worked their way upfield and camped near the goal line for a fair while. Peterite resistance collapsed, and Isipathana’s hooker Shamindu Sihasara dived over for Malinka Ruberu to add the extra points (7-7).
Isipathana had a chance of taking the lead nearing the end of the this half. However, the 40-yard penalty awarded to them was not availed of. Centre Ruberu’s attempted conversion did not have the legs to go over.
Glory was denied the losers early in the second half when Pathana broke away and a player was heading for the line. It was a one-on-one situation ten yards from the line. But a couple of Peterite defenders rushed to the spot and rescued their mate.
The Peterites now broke away and two players were threatening the line. The Pathana defenders got at the ball-carrier, but in the act off falling, he lobbed the ball to winger Fernando, who scored his second try. Nanayakkara made it 14-7.
It was Pathana’s turn to attack. Play was near the goal-line, and the Peterite defence blinked for a few seconds. That was all it took for Number. 8 Dhayan Wickremaarachchi to crash over. Ruberu was on target and the score-line read 14-all.
The next few minutes saw the rugby becoming increasingly fast and furious. Pathana was striving determinedly to get in front. But the Peterites were tackling them spiritedly.
Of a sudden, the Peterite backs started a nice move. The ball was transferred to Fernando, who went over for his third try. Nanayakkara’s attempted conversion fell short. No matter, the Peterites held on in the face of daunting odds.
Wesley, the other finalist, was not at that convincing in their 36-25 defeat of Vidyartha. Optimistic Peterites can be forgiven for thinking that the trophy will be theirs.
Referee – Ishanka Abeykoon