Dons beaten Black and Blue
View(s):By Riyad Riffai
S. Thomas’ College showed much grit and composure as they easily overcame a spirited performance by D.S. Senanayake College by 29-15 in their Dialog Schools Rugby League fixture at Mt. Lavinia yesterday.
In a tightly fought game, much was expected from the Dons, who however to the dismay of their supporters played an aimless kicking game. This was brilliantly countered by the Thomian backs who brilliantly combined with their forwards to outplay the opponents.
Despite the torrential downpour, on the second minute of play the burly Thomian tight head prop forward, Sithil Perera used his weight to good use as he brushed away a few DSS defenders to score mid left of the try line. Fullback and skipper Yehan Bulathsinhalage made no mistake with the conversion.
The Dons hit back with a five-metre scrum in the fifth minute as No.8 Thiven Perera crashed through to score, which was easily converted by flyhalf Sehanda Umagiliyage, a key playmaker in the D.S. Senanayake outfit.
A Thomian being dearly challenged by the desperate DSS defenders
In the 20th minute, the Thomians were gifted a penalty by the Dons pack and was brilliantly put to touch by Bulathsinhalage. Moments later Thomina hooker, Eyan Pereira scored via a beautifully executed driving maul by the forwards. Bulathsinhalage missed the conversion as the Thomians took the lead 12-7.
Both teams lost many attacking opportunities due to aimless kicking which resembled a Wimbledon tennis match rather than a rugby game. The only logic for this bizarre play would be both teams hoping the other would knock on the ball due to the availing slippery conditions.
In the 33rd minute of play, Bulthsinhalage missed a long-range penalty, which was always in doubt due to the heavy ground conditions. However, the hosts showed much composure to combine their forwards with the backs for prop forward Perera to score his second try. Bulathsinhalage booted the easy conversion to push the score to 19-7 in favour of his team on the stroke of half time.
After the turnaround, the Thomians got a golden opportunity for an easy three points, however good defence by the Dons thwarted the opportunity. On the 45th minute of play Dons playmaker Umagiliyage slotted over a difficult penalty to close the gap 19-10, still in favour of the Thomians.
In the 48th minute, Thomian fullback Akith Cooray made a blistering run of a ruck to score the fourth try and the bonus point for his team. Skipper Bulathsinhalage made no mistake with the extra points to push the score 26-10.
Bulathsinhalage extended the score with a beautiful kick to the posts to lead 29-10 by the 50th minute.
In the dying moments of the game, the Dons scored a consolidation try by a pick and drive by Kavisha Janajaya. Umagiliyage fluffed the straightforward conversion to bring further dismay for the Dons, who have themselves to blame for the final scoreline as the lack of structured play was detrimental for the young and upcoming side which wasted numerous opportunities to score.