Trinity beat S. Thomas’ to regain Canon de Saram Shield
A Trinity player tries to regain posession of the ball
Trinity College pulled off a magnificent 20 points (2 tries, 2 conversions, 2 penalties) to 13 points (1 try, 1 conversion, 2 penalties) win in their Dialog Inter-School Under-20 rugby encounter played at the Pallekelle Rugby Stadium yesterday. With this win Trinity regained the Canon de Saram Trophy from the Thomians which they lost out three months back. Trinity led 17-6 at the short breather.
The game was played at a hectic pace with both teams working their three-quarter line at every given opportunity. The Thomians did have lot of possession in the initial 15 minutes of the game but failed to convert them into points as the Trinity defense stood firm. Lineout of both teams looked a pathetic as throw-ins was far below standard.
For Trinity their fly half, Aattab Manzil and fullback, Kovinda Wickremasinghe and scrum half, Shaveen Premaratne were omnipresent and had a grand game. Aattab’s touch kicks and gaining territory was of high standards. Meanwhile for Thomians their skipper, Chariya Kurukulasuriya, prop Mohamed Ali and flyhalf Yehan Bulathsinghala were outstanding.
Thomians drew first blood through a Bulathsinghala penalty but minutes later Trinity worked their three-quarter line and scored through their skipper Lithmal Moragoda. Kovinda Wickremasinghe added the extras. Kovinda was on target with another 30-metre penalty to increase the lead 10/3.
Another magnificent 40-metre dash by the fullback, Kovinda scored Trinititans second try. He added the extra two points. Minutes before the short breather Bulathsinghala was on target with his second penalty to cut the deficit to 11 points to take the short breather at 17-6 favouring the home team.
After the turnaround, the game slowed down a bit and in the last quarter again picked up the momentum. Thomian skipper, Chariya Kurukulasuriya, who had a grand outing, scored through a forward’s rush. Bulathsinghala was on target with the kick at goal. Kovinda who contributed 15 points for the home team put the game to bed when he was on target with a 30-metre penalty. Referee was
Dilum Dheeshana