U-20 Rugby: St. Peter’s clinch Schools 7s title beating last-year champs Isipathana

In a closely contested battle St. Peter's College bounced back to edge last year’s champions Isipathana College by 7-5 to bag the All-Island Schools Under-20 7s Rugby Championship at Royal College Sports Complex on Sunday (1).   The Peterites led by three-quarter Kevin Dickson, despite being brought down to six men in the latter stage of the game, came up with a gallant display to claim the win by scoring a thrilling try with a conversion after trailing 0-5 at halftime.   Isipathana, who dominated the first half, opened scoring in the fifth minutes off winger Dilan Gallage, who scored a try that went unconverted.   The crucial and match-winning try for the winners came in the third minute of the second half from winger Harshana Peiris and skipper Dickson added extra points to give them the lead 7-5.   In the semi-finals St. Peter’s beat tournament favourites Trinity College 19-5 while Isipathana had a close call against the much-improved S. Thomas' College by 17-12 to reach the Cup final.   The win brings St. Peter’s 7s title tally to five after having won the tournament in 2004, 2010, 2011 and 2013.   The victotious St. Peter’s College team led by Kevin Dickson also comprised Nishon Perera, Harshana Peiris, Kamesh Fernando, Ramesh Fernando, Shehan Mark, Romal Fernando, Sandesh Jayawickrema and Udara Anjana.   St. Joseph’s College won the Plate title recording an easy 26-5 win against D.S. Senanayake College.   The Josephians scored from four tries and three conversions while conceding an unconverted try.   Kingswood College recorded a thrilling 19-17 win against hometown rivals St. Anthony’s College to clinch the Bowl championship.   The winners scored from three tries and two conversions while the losers scored from three tries and a conversion.   Mahanama College bagged the Shield title after beating St. Sylvester’s College by 15-7 after scoring from three unconverted tries while the losers scored from a solitary converted try.