The spell-binding brilliance of Thomian center Anuruddha Wilwara, who was responsible for four tries, condemned a fighting Trinity outfit to a 40 points (3 goals,2 tries,3 penalties) to 30 (2 goals, 2 tries,2 penalties) defeat at Pallekele yesterday.The Trinitians will have to concede that on this day their opponents played the more cohesive rugby and were better organized in both attack and defense.
The match itself provided thrills abruptly and the lead changed hands a couple of times to add piquancy to the situation.
Trinity opened scoring when Kanchana Ramanayake put over a penalty awarded for a high tackle. The Thomians replied at once when an aimless kick was directed at their full back who ran up and switched a pass to Wilwara to outpace the defence and score. (STC 5-3).
Having regained the lead with a penalty, Trinity made it 13-5 when number eight Armstrong broke free from a scrum and slipped a pass to skipper Damith Dissanayake who went over. Ramanayake added the points.
A penalty for the Thomians, and Wilwara’s second try made it 13-15 to the visitors. Shortly before the break, the other Thomian centre Shaveen Kapuwatte touched down for a half time score of STC 20-13.
Wilwara then scored his third try and reserved his best for the last. With time running out, the Thomians were defending their line desperately. Wilwara received a pass from full back Devin Jayasinghe just outside his goal line, ran the length of the field almost brushing off a few tackles and scored under the posts. Jayasinghe converted.
Winger Mohammed Seshan also scored for Trinity. The Thomians retained the Cannon R.S. De Saram Trophy by virtue of this win.Referee D. Nimal.
In the Under 16 game Trinity beat S. Thomas’ 14-5.Trinity also won the Under 18 game against the Thomians at 12-7.
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