Sports -Peterites feast on Thurstan

St. Peter’s walked through to their third successive victory of the Under 20 inter-schools rugby league tournament with an emphatic 56 points (four goals, five tries, one penalty) to 7 (one goal) win over Thurstan at Bambalapitiya yesterday.

With this win they are the only unbeaten side of the ongoing league championship with the other teams in their group Kingswood, S. Thomas’, Wesley, Ananda, St Anthony’s and the Thurstan being early victims of the season.

For the Thurstanites it was going to be a daunting task to prevent the in form Peterites from making a big score. The Petes got into action in the second minute with a penalty booted over by their star player full back Irfard Meedin which was over 35 metres. From there on it was the Bambalapitiya boys all the way.

Playing in their own den was another advantage for them but likewise they were too good for their opponents who were unable to prevent the rampaging Petes from scoring at will. Immediately after the penalty being booted the scoreboard began moving at a steady pace with a third minute unconverted try from scrum half Ranuka Jayasinghe which was followed by two tries from brothers wing three quarter Viduranga Karunaratne and prop Wimanga Karunaratne in the 12th and 17th minutes of which one was goaled by Meedin.

Four minutes later skipper and No 8 Harendra Ariyawardena joined the scoring wagon with a peach of try which was followed by Viduranga going over for a left corner flag try in the dying stages of the first half. Meedin made no mistake with the kick at goal before referee Dilanka Peiris blew the short whistle. The scores read 36-0 in favour of the Petes.

With the game in their pocket it was left to be seen what the margin of victory would be. They began their second half campaign with little difference with wing three Viduranga Karunaratne going over for his third try in the seventh minute. Seven minutes later wing three Gerald Canute increased the Petes lead with an unconverted try.

Immediately after that Thurstan grassed a penalty that was offered but made amends and managed to go past the Pete defence for a consolation try through Thanoj Nanayakkara which was converted by Dasun Weerasinghe. That was all that they could do as the Petes put the issue beyond doubt with tries by full back Meedin and skipper Ariyawardena to record this convincing 56-7 victory.