Trinity survive Peter’s challenge

A Trinity olayer is held by the Peterite defence, - Pic by Sanka Vidanagama

Trinity survived a second half onslaught to inflict the third successive defeat on St. Peter’s in their Division One Segment ‘A’ inter school league rugby match played at Bambalapitiya yesterday. Trinity emerged victorious by 43 points (five goals, one try and one penalty) to 33 (four goals and one try).

With just one week to go for the first leg of the Bradby Shield against Royal, Trinity’s defensive frailties was exposed by a Peterite side sans its only two senior players in Skipper Dilshan Paul and Keith Gurusinha.
The visitors led by 33 points to 7 at half time before almost blowing their massive advantage in the second half.

It was the visitors from the first whistle when wing three quarter Kennon Armstrong intercepted an errant pass by a Peterite to score the first of his three tries. And the big difference between the two sides was that Trinity were willing to use the full width of the ground, while the hosts tended to rely more on their forwards.

Rather ironically practically all the tries were scored against the run of play. In the first half the Peterites dominated territory, yet it was the visitors who ran in five tries, four of which were converted by Armstrong senior – his younger brother Shannon who plays number eight was a constant threat to the losers.
The first try was followed soon after by right wing three quarter Akila Dissanayake who touched down. But he later limped off and whether he will be fit for the Bradby only time will tell. Try number three followed when flanker Duminda Nayakaratne touched and Armstrong made no mistake with the conversion.

Shortly after St. Peter’s enjoyed their only moment of joy in the first half when after numerous phases of play flanker Chamath Maduranga touched and wing three quarter Sandun Herath converted. Trinity was awarded a penalty in the Peterite ‘22’ and flanker Damith Dissanayake touched down for arguably the easiest try he will score this season. Armstrong scored his second on the stroke of half time.

The second half saw Trinity dominating territory and possession, but it was St Peter’s who suddenly seemed to wake up. Centres Dhanushka Ranjan, Bhanuka Nanayakkara lock Sayoru Anthony and wing three quarter Sandun Herath brought the Peterites back in to the game. Herath incidentally, put over all the conversions. The scoring by the home side was interspersed by Armstrong’s third try and fittingly he put over a penalty just before the final whistle.

The team from Kandy dominated the scrums winning the ball even against the head, the edged out the Peterites in the line outs and recycled the ball far quicker from breakdown situations. But it was their first time tackling and cover defense that let them down. And they have just one week to address this.
Referee; Aruna Jayasekera