Speedy Thomians stun indisciplined Trinity
View(s):What could be termed as an entertaining game of school rugby was marred by an ugly incident after the final whistle, as S. Thomas’ College played a different brand of game to snatch a possible win away from Trinity College to emerge victorious 17-14 and regain the Canon R.S. de Saram Shield at Havelock Park yesterday.
Thomian grit prevailed against Lions - Pic by M.A. Pushpakumara
Both teams scored identically, from two converted tries but the penalty put over by the Thomians in the 11th minute to gain an early lead, made all the difference. Trinity enjoyed a handsome lead of 14-3 at halftime, but could not live up to the expectations, as they played minus one player, for 30 minutes of the whole game. Three of their players were sin binned and the final and fourth yellow card came seconds before the final whistle, for excessively arguing with the referee. Trinity was lucky not to get two red cards for dangerous play, and were shown yellow cards instead by referee Isuru Perera, who controlled the game splendidly. Unfortunately Trinity players and their supporters, notably parents, could not justify their own mistakes, instead opted to manhandle referee Perera before the hosting side came to his salvage.
S. Thomas’ played a totally different game, unlike they are known for — speedy and swift — while also balancing well with their forwards. Trinity on the other hand were perfect on set pieces, perfect at line-outs yet were indecent. They opened the game with a yellow card on Lithmal Moragoda, as flyhalf Yohan Bulathsinhala out the Thomians in the lead with a penalty.
The raging game took a complete turn in the 19th minute when Trinity attacked the Thomian territory with forwards, yet eventually changed tactics to make a sudden move to hand winger Minidu Jayasundara the opportunity to brace a try. With flyhalf Thanudithas Dodanwatte’s conversion, they took the lead 7-3.
The Thomians were gritty as always and attacked well to flummox Trinity, until they lost momentum during injury time of the first half. It ended with a similar ending as earlier, when lock Asiri Kodituwakku landed a try under the post to give Didanwatte an easy kick over the posts. With that Trinity took enjoyed a comfortable 14-3 lead at halftime.
Soon after the resumption, the Thomians continued their mode of attacking, but yet again they were outplayed by Trinity, who took charge of their territory. But Thomian centre Ovin Kodituwakku was as canny and watchful, when he intercepted what could have given Trinity their third try, and run almost an entire field to score under the post in the 38th minute. With Bulathsinhala’s conversion the Thomians shredded down the deficit, yet trailed by 10-14.
Their momentum continued to brim over until they were on Trinity’s 22 for a longer period than expected, only to end up with a try. Lock Akila Perera took the honours of landing the try in the 42nd minute to give Bulathsinhala an easy conversion as S. Thomas’ took the lead by 17-14 and held on to it until the final whistle.