The Colombo Blues team, with several stars of school Rugby mainly from Royal, St Thomas’, St Peter’s and Isipathana, with the help of a late second half rally beat the Kandy Reds, which consisted of players from Trinity, Kingswood and St Anthony’s, by 36 points (3 Goals, 3 Tries) to 27 Points (1 Goal, 4 Tries) in their The Papare YES FM and Dialog All Stars rugby encounter played at Longdon Place yesterday.
Keen tussle for the ball in the rugby encounter played between Colombo and Kandy School sides at Longdon Place yesterday to select the final pool for the Under 20 Junior Rugby Asiad. (Pic by Ranjith Perera) |
At the breather the winners led 12-10.
Talent was not short in this last game of the season and the national selectors were present to identify the final touring squad of 22 players for the Junior Rugby Asiad which will be worked off in Thailand from August 21-28.
Both teams dished out champagne rugby. In the initial half the Colombo ‘Blues’ led by Thomian Shaveen Kapuwatte ran the line at every given opportunity. They found gapping holes in the Kandy “Red” line. Colombo Centre Anurudha Wilwara was outstanding both in defence as well in attack. On the other hand in the loose Sudarshana Muthuthanthri was omnipresent. He produced some superb cover tackles which kept the Kandy side from scoring. Keith Gurusinghe, Prasad Devinda, Sandun Herath were also in the thick of things.
Kandy “Reds” played with lot of coordination in the initial half between their forwards and three quarters. But in the second half they were like soldiers firing without any direction. Their scrum half Mohamed Abzal was outstanding in choosing the option of either working the line or going solo. Centre Kanchana Ramanayke, flanker Chethiya Wadugodapitiya and Full back and skipper Rajitha Sansoni were above average, catching the eyes of the selectors.
Kandy “Reds” drew first blood in the 16th minute of the game with Danushka Wijesinghe dashing by the corner flag to touch down. Five minutes later Colombo Centre Anuruddha Wilwara dashed through to touch down. Prasad Davinda added the extra points to take a 7-5 lead. Colombo winger Chamara Dabrare scored to take a 12-5 lead. But the Kandy side cut the deficit through a superb number 8 try by Sanka Rajaguru.
The second half tries were scored by Lakith Perera (2), Chamara Dabrare, Mushin Faleel, Lawanka Perera and Mayura Sanjeewa for the Colombo side. For Kandy Chethiya Wadugodapitiya and Tharindu Chanaka touched down. - Referee Dilroy Fernando
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