St. Peter’s book final berth in a cliffhanger
It was a narrow escape for defending champions and current league champions St. Peter’s College as they escaped in a cliffhanger in the first semi-final encounter of the Dialog Schools President’s Trophy Knockout Tournament with a close 23-20 win over gritty Wesley College at the Royal Sports Complex yesterday.
The Peterites, having held on to a slender 13-8 lead at the breather, accumulated their points through two converted tries and three penalties to three tries, a conversion and a penalty scored by the Wesleyites.
The Wesleyites had the Peterites struggling for survival as they gave them some torrid moments in the latter stages of the second half. They had their opponents under tremendous pressure whilst dominating but it was unfortunate that they were unable to go over for the crucial try which would have turned tables. However for the Peterites it was the win that they needed and they achieved with the greatest difficulty.
Wesley centre Adeep Yousuf goes for a try against favourites St. Peter's in a close KO semi-final
It was the Wesleyites who drew first blood in the very first minute with fullback Abdul Haadhi making no mistake with the penalty offered. The Peterites surged ahead five minutes later with scrum half Salith Gallage going over for a try and fly half Rahul Peter adding the extra points.
Wesley, undeterred, took up the challenge and went into the attack and succeeded to breach the opponent’s defense with centre Adeeb Yoosuf going over for an unconverted try in the ninth minute.
The game turned out rough with players being sin binned for rough play and the Peterites were offered two penalties within the space of three minutes. They succeeded with fly half half Rahul Peter booting it over with ease.
The Peterites were down to 13 players with two of their players being sin binned five minutes before the short whistle when the Peterites were holding on to a slender 13-8 lead.
On resumption the Wesleyites continued their dominance but in a melee Peterie winger Vishenka Silva ran over for a peach of a try as he intercepted a Wesley pass and sprinted over 75 metres to go over for a try under the post. With the reliable Peter making an easy kick at goal, St. Peter’s increased the lead to 20-8.
With the two sides exchanging honours, the Peterites went further ahead in the 15th minute with Peter booting over a penalty and six minutes later Wesley reduced their deficit with lock Kaveesh Dilhara going over for an unconverted try.
From there on the Wesleyites, playing with much cohesion and confidence, had the Peterites struggling and in the 56th minute they shocked them with the second row barging his way through for a try. With full back Abdul Haadhi adding the extra points, the Peterites were only three points ahead on 23-20. Wesley with their robust approach had the Peterites struggling for survival and had them on pins but fell short of making any scores as the Peterites managed to hold on and escape with a close win. They will now meet the winner of second semi-final between Isipathana College and S. Thomas’ College scheduled to be played today at the same venue.
Mahanama and Nugawela
Central enter final
Mahanama College Colombo and Nugawela Central College entered the final of the Premier Trophy and Chairman Trophy Dialog Schools Knockout Tournament respectively, when they came out victorious in the two semi-final encounters played at the same venue that preceded the President’s Trophy encounter.
Mahanama pulled off a convincing 37-0 win over Piliyandala Central in the Premier Trophy encounter. Mahanama made up their scoring through six tries and a conversion.
Nugawela Central pulled off a comfortable 48-17 win over Moratu MV in the Chairman’s Trophy semi-final encounter. Nugawela Central accumulated their points from seven tries, five conversions and a penalty to three tries and a conversion scored by Moratu MV.