Dons tame Lions to historic win
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D.S. Senanayake skipper Sehanda Umagiliyage charges to score the game's first try - Pic by Eshan Fernando
Skipper Sehanda Umagiliyage, in matured fashion, led from the front as D.S. Senanayake College created rugby history defeating seasoned campaigners Trinity College 14-10 in a startling Dialog Schools Rugby League 2024 encounter played at Havelock Park yesterday.
The Dons, as they are fondly referred, were clinical from the onset, forcing firm favourites Trinity to shove off pressure mounted by their newly crowned opponents, who raked all their points from two converted tries from the first half. With D.S. Senanayake leading the halftime at 14-0, the Lions had nothing but themselves to blame for being scrappy throughout the first session of play.
Had they put over an early penalty that came in favour off the boots of fullback Yevan Hulangamuwa, Trinity could have changed the fate of the game, but constant mistakes eventually had them grounded for the first time in many years by a less known opposition.
Trinity, on the other hand, evidently approached the game under a cozy setting, perhaps intending to accelerate the pace as it progresses, a style they frequently follow. Yet, they were taken by total surprise by the Dons, who applied unending pressure. This was evident with the flops made by some of their key players, including last week’s game-changer Shan Althaf, who manned the flyhalf position instead the usual fullback. Eventually when Trinity struck back, it was way too late and all they could do was slotting two unconverted tries, despite holding their opponents from scoring a single point.
D.S. Senanayake gradually upgraded their mode of attack soon after Hulangamuwa’s failed penalty kick and pressured their opponents to succumb on their own, grave mistakes. A try that was never in sight was offered by Althaf, who experienced a rather bad day in office.
A clearance kick from the D.S.S. defenders from their own territory, was miscued at collection by Althaf on Trinity’s 22, as he jumped in the air way too early and missed it completely. The presence of mind of D.S.S. skipper Umagiliyage was evidently at play when he charged and seized the opportunity by claiming the ball and evading couple of Trinity defenders to brace a try under the post in the 14th minute. With the successful conversion of winger Janindu Wijayaratne the Dons earned as early lead of 7-0, as Trinity desperately attempted to change the fortunes. But they ran totally out of luck, for nearly 20 minutes until Lankesh Wickramasinghe brilliantly finished off a forward play initiated by his deputy skipper and No.8 Thiven Perera to help D.S.S. expand the lead in the 31st minute. After Wijayaratne’s conversion the Dons were enjoying a comfortable 14-0 lead, which went up to the end of the first half.
However, the approach Trinity took after the turnaround was more aggressive and clear. But what they lacked was probably the much needed luck to enjoy a perfect finish the initiatives they took. Eventually the Trinitians managed to change their lackluster performance to one that of brilliant, when the backs teamed up to initiate a move that ended up skipper and centre Anuhas Kodituwakku from bracing a try in the 38th minute.
However their fortunes looked as it was not ready to leave them. The D.S.S. defenders were craftier and screwed than anticipated, and their intention of slowing down the pace of the game worked according to their plan. Trinity enjoyed brief dominance, but failed to capitalise for a longer period with the amount of pressure and counterattack carried out by the Dons, who made a costly mistake in the 54th minute while defending their own yard.
Their defenders were brilliantly marked by the Trinitians, who forced a try from a carbon copy failure of Althaf from the first half, with centre Murad Raizan doing the honours of scoring a try. However Trinity’s nemesis in the low-scoring crucial game was partly contributed by Hulangamuwa, who failed to convert both tries from close ranges.
Trinity stood on a golden opportunity of scoring their third try, which would have changed the fate of the game for them, but in spite of occupying on their opponent’s territory during the final few minutes, they made a mockery by conceding to pressure.