Thomians scrape through to earn semi-final berth
S. Thomas’ College was made to fight hard before overcoming a gritty Zahira College side to pull off a close 27-20 win in the second quarter-final encounter of the Dialog Schools President’s Trophy Knockout Tournament played at Sugathadasa Stadium yesterday.
The Thomians, having taken a comfortable 20-8 lead at the breather, accumulated their points through four tries, two conversions and a penalty while Zahira made up their points from three tries, a conversion and a penalty.
The Thomians had to pull out all the tricks out of the bag as they underwent some anxious moments before staving off the challenge to gain a seven-point victory. Despite giving S. Thomas’ some anxious moments during the early stages, Zahira were unable to prevent them from keeping the score moving.
The Thomians began their scoring campaign in the fourth minute with a penalty booted over by skipper and flyhalf Yehan Bulathsinghalage and they further surged ahead two minutes later with centre Akira Cooray going over for a try. With Bulathsinghalage making no mistake with the conversion, S. Thomas’ extended the lead to 10-0.
With the two sides sharing honours, it took another 20 minutes for the next scoring to be done which was by Zahira from a penalty booted over by flyhalf Farzan Mohamed. But the Thomians undeterred, struck back as they stretched their lead with second row Tehan Senaratne going over for an unconverted try to make it 15-3.
Zahira, not to be outdone came back with vengeance with winger Arfham Abdeen creeping through for a try on a melee but unfortunately a kickable conversation was fluffed. With the two sides battling out, the Thomians went further ahead with winger Avishka Perera going over for an unconverted try in the dying stages each saw them go into the breather with a 20-8 lead.
On resumption Zahira came into the field with a different game plan and surprised the Thomians as they succeeded to reduce the deficit in the 40th minute with winger Akith Cooray going over for an unconverted try which was his second of the match. Zahira continued to put their opponents under tremendous pressure and were in the attack for most part and they succeeded to add more points in the 52nd minute with their flanker going over for try. Flyhalf Farzan added the extra points.
The Thomians made a comeback two minutes later which turned out to be the winning try with prop Mayantha Dias going over and skipper Bulathsinghalage making the conversion.
The Thomians will now meet Isipathana College in the second semi-final scheduled to be played at the Royal Sports Complex on September 8 while defending champions St. Peter’s College will lock horns with Wesley College in the first semi-final on September 7 at the same venue.