Antonians too strong for Ananda

St. Anthony’s College hit hard enough to emerge victories in their Inter-School Rugby encounter against hosts Ananda College yesterday at Havelock Park. The final score read, St. Anthony’s College 34 points ( 3 Goals, 2 Tries and 1 Penalty) to Ananda College 21 points ( 3 Tries and 2 Penalties).

Any rugby enthusiast witnessing this match would agree that both teams left a lot to be desired. Good passages of play were few and too far between. The visitors made their mark first with a penalty in the twelfth minute. Then Ananda hit back with the only impressive try in the twenty third minute, a move that was initiated by a very crafty scrum-half that was put over the line by young Shoshira Jayasuriya (his first try of a hat-trick in this match). Neither team seemed to able to capitalize on the mistakes by the other. At times both teams just resorted to kicking the ball aimlessly from one side to the other. But by the thirtieth minute the visitors managed to take control of the match; hitting Ananda College consecutively, first with a try in the twenty eight minute and two minutes later another courtesy Mohamed Vice -right under the post both tries were converted by Ashan Madusanka. At the breather St. Anthony’s lead by 22 points to 5.

The second half provided no better rugby, as both teams still continued to make simple mistakes and further fumbles in their ball handling. Ananda College scored first with the second of S. Jayasuriya;s hat-trick. But the visitors shining star master M. Vice going over for two more tries just ventilated the hosts. A try (S. Jayasuriya) and a penalty in the last minute of the match by the hosts proved simply not enough and the Anthonians went on to seal the victory.
Referee – Irshad Cader.