Unimpressive Zahira overcome minnows Thurstan
Zahira College displayed a rare uninspiring performance, but somehow overcame minnows Thurstan College by 28-13 in their Dialog Schools Rugby League 2024 game played at Maradana yesterday. Having committed uncountable amount of errors, from the start to the end, the hosts managed to record a bonus point win with a tally of four tries and three conversions. Thurstan, on the other hand, were comparatively perfect than their previous outings as well as their opponents, but led the game for almost 25 minutes during the first half. They opened the scoring through back-to-back penalties from flyhalf Nethupul Lasandu, in the first and ninth minutes, to take an early 6-0 lead.
But in the 21st minute, Zahira managed to turn the tables on Thurstan by going over for a try through their lock Arfat Ahmed, and with a successful conversion from winger Mahir Basith the hosts gained a slender 7-6 lead. Yet, Zahira have to blame only themselves for failing to convert their efforts into points, after two failed try attempts mainly due to poor ball handling, prior to their third attempt, which was successful.
Pic by Akila Jayawardena
Their slight lead, however was short-lived as flanker Chanith Perera entirely surprised Zahira by going over for Thurstan’s only try in the 32nd minute. With Lasandu’s successful conversion Thurstan regained the lead 13-7 and kept up until the halftime, before Zahira retaliated with a brilliant try from prop Abdullah Naushad. With Basith’s successful conversion they breathed a sigh with a slender 14-13 lead at halftime.
The second half was similar to the first session, but Thurstan looked jaded than Zahira, who breached their opponent’s defence twice. Tries from centre Tuan Chunchi in the 39th minute, with a conversion from Basith, and another from replacement scrumhalf Afham Abdeen in the 69th minute, followed by a successful conversion from fullback Zain Hassan was enough for Zahira to seal a bonus point win.