Dons regain R.I.T. Alles Trophy
D.S. Senanayake College recorded an easy 36-19 win over traditional rivals Zahira College to regain the R.I.T. Alles Memorial Trophy in their annual match played at Maradana yesterday. DSS, having taken a comfortable 26-14 lead at the breather accumulated their points through five tries, four conversions and a penalty to the three tries and two conversions by Zahira.
Zahira surprised their fancied opponents by scoring back-to-back tries in the 15th and 20th minutes with centre Ijas Inam and second row Thaahir Chunchee going over for tries and flyhalf Farzan Mohamed booting over the two conversions.
Zahira made initial breakthroughs by D.S. Senanayake bounced back brilliantly
DSS, undeterred, got their act together and gave the home side some torrid moments and succeeded to breach the defense in the 29th minute with prop Omika Lison going over for a try with skipper and flyhalf Shehanda Umagiliyage making no mistake with the conversion.
They continued to have the Zahirians under pressure and scored two more tries within the space of four minutes with Lison going over for his second try of the match in the 29th minute and second row Sandeep Caldera in the 33rd minute. Umagiliyage was able to make only one conversion but they went into the lead. DSS increased the lead further with winger Kaveesha Jananjaya’s try in the dying stages of the session and with Umagailiyage adding the extra points they went into the lemons with DSS leading 26-14.
On resumption DSS further surged ahead with Umagiliyage booting over a penalty that was offered. With the two sides sharing honours, it took a considerable period for the next scoring to be done which was by DSS with lock Chenitha Welgamage barging his way for a try and Umagiliyage adding extra points.
With DSS having almost sealed the game they made little effort but Zahira making the advantage succeeded to go over for a consolation unconverted try by lock Abdullah Hassen before the long whistle was blown with DSS succeeding to regain the R.I.T. Alles Memorial Trophy. With this win, the Dons equaled the winning tally 2-all.