St Peter’s made a superb come back late in the second half to stall Thomians at 31 apiece in their key Singer League Under 20 inter-school’s game worked off at Mount Lavinia yesterday. Thomians scored their points through 4 converted tries and 1 penalty to Peter’s 5 tries and 2 Penalties. With this drawn game Thomians retained the Archibald Perera Trophy (virtue of last year’s win) for yet another year (3rd year running). This trophy was introduced in 1982.
A Peterite player with the ball looking for a break with support behind him. Pic by Ranjith Perera. |
At the short breather it was St Peter’s who lead 16-10.
The game was played at a terrific pace with the Thomians opting to play with their heavier set of forwards. They gave some thundering moves and Peterite defence was full of shock in the first 10 minutes and was seen in pieces.
After 15 minutes St Peter’s settled down to their usual game plan. They looked threatening with their superb three quarter moves. Their skipper and pack leader Keith Gurusinghe was outstanding in defence as well as in attack. He was quick on the loose ball. Meanwhile Thomians flanker Muthuthanthri was outstanding, he went in to a number of threatening moves. With Thomians opting for the forwards, crack centre Anuradha Willawara was left without touching the ball most of the first half. Given the chance in the second half he ran for two unstoppable magical tries.
Thomians drew first blood very early in the game. In fact in the very first minute of the game they were awarded with a penalty for one of the Peterite holding on to the ball. Dervin Jayasinghe was on target with the kick to take an early 3-0 lead. Seven minutes later after number of moves Thomians went over for a push over try through burly Dinuka Amarasinghe. Dervin Jayasinghe added the extra point to take 10-0 lead. St Peter’s fly half Dulaj Perera cut the deficit through an easy penalty. Peterite winger Lakith Perera was in lightning pace on the loose ball. He smothered a clearance kick and touched down far left. Dulaj Perera missed the difficult kick at goal. (10-8 St Thomas)
Ten minutes later the Peterite line was in full action when they attacked the Thomian defence on number of times. In the end Peterite winger Sandun Herath breached through the defence to score and take the lead. With the game played at hectic pace even the players went out of control. Thomian centre Anuradha Willawara was Yellow carded for a high tackle. With five minutes to half time Peterite took a further 3 points lead when Dulaj Perera was on target with a penalty kick.
In the second half Anuradha Willawara (2) and Sudarshana Muthuthanthri scored for the Thomians. Both were converted by Dervin Jayasinghe. For the Peterites tries were scored through Captain and number 8 Keith Gurusinghe, Winger Sandun Herath and fly Half Dulaj Perera. Unfortunately none of them were converted.
Dilroy Fernando controlled the game very well.
Soon after the game a few players were selected and a doping test was done by Dr Seevali of the Sports Unit. Samples will be sent to Malaysia through courier and the results will be known in 3 weeks time. Even the last week’s game between Isiapthana and Royal was also doped tested.
In the junior games St Peter’s won both the under 16 (5-0) and
Under 18 (10-5). |
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