Avishka Lee managed a crucial last gasp penalty from an acute angle to cap off a magnificent victory for Wesley, winning a seesaw 32-29 win against Zahira College at Longdon Place.
The game was kicked off the boot of Mursheed Zubair on a hot and humid evening at Longdon Place.
The game was predicted to be an entralling encounter and it lived up to it from the first minute as both teams traded early penalties for a couple of rare ill disciplines.
First Les Blues half back Avishka Lee pierced the upright for an infringement at the break down. Moments later Zaid Sinhawansa brought the game to where it began, leveling the scores (WC 03-03 ZC)
Yusran Lantra scored the first try of the game following a scintillating break from M.S. Swito. The fullback pierced a yawning gap in the heart of the Zahira defence to set up the swift winger.
Photo Album: Wesley College vs Zahira College | Schools Rugby 2017
The winger made something out of nothing for try number two as he fielded a loose ball and showed an immense turn of pace to cut in past the final two cover defenders to dot down under the post. Zaid Sinhawansa was successful this time from close range as he failed with his first conversion. (WC 03-15 ZC)
Captain Shifaz Amath saw yellow for an unusual offence, getting his marching orders for listening to instructions from his coach through the walkie-talkie.
The game lived up to expectation of been a fast and furious affair but neither team managed to breach each other’s defenses, as there was a fine balance of attack and defense on show.
With a man advantage, It was a rolling maul that finally brought an end to the defensive spectacle as Wesley, this time crossed the white wash. Second rower, G.O.D.N Dias fielded a line out and wheeled around the maul, diving over. Avishka added the extras making it a 5 point game. (WC 10-15 ZC)
Sinhawansa had one last opportunity to add to the lead of the boys from Maradana but failed as referee Dinka Peiris brought the first half to an end.
Full time: Wesley College 10 (1T 1C 1P) – Zahira College 15 (2T 1C 1P)
Player of the game, Avishka Lee scored a typical poacher’s try as the doubles notched ahead by two points converting his own try. Quick thinking by the scrum half was rewarded duly just five minutes after Sinhawansa kicked off the second half. (WC 17-15 ZC)
A brain freeze by captain Danister Goonethilake cost his team it’s lead on the stroke of the hour mark. A cross kick back fired on the captain as Lantra got back in the act with another trade mark run leaving the Wesley winger in his tracks with no chance of denying the wingers hat-trick.Sinhawansa added the extras from under the post with ease. (WC 17-22 ZC)
Avishka Lee missed a penalty as the game entered its prime time with both teams searching for a win.
Avantha made up for his brother with a try of his own. A knock on by a Zahira lad fell into the centers hand as he made advantage count. Avantha put on the afterburners first running around the Zahira defence, stepping in and scoring beside the upright. Avishka made up for his penalty miss a moments ago, adding the extras.(WC 24-22 ZC)
Quick speed was on offer throughout the game and this time it was flanker G.M.I.C Aponso who put on the afterburners leaving the Zahira fullback for dead scoring in the near corner. Zahira was still one converted try away from leveling things up, staying in the game thanks to Avishka missing the touch line conversion. (WC 29-22 ZC)
The game turned on its head as center H Razick showed some blockbuster power to bundle over the center on the Wesley defence.
Singhawansa converted the try with relative ease not knowing the evening was going to take a drastic turn towards a bitter ending. (WC 29-29 ZC)
With the game going into its dying embers, Wesley won a penalty for some ill discipline at the breakdown, out wide beside the far touchline.
Avishka stepped up to the plate and kicked the touch line penalty with ease, displaying the kicking aspect of his game. (WC 32-29 ZC)
With the final whistle just minutes away, Zahira managed to win three penalties in the Wesley red zone but Singhawansa failed with penalty number one and three as Zahira opted to run the second one failing to capitalize on either of three occasions as the final whistle ended another cliffhanger of a game as Zahira found themselves on the wrong end of the score sheet.
Full time: Wesley College 32 (4T 3C 2P) beat Zahira College 29 (4T 3C 1P)
Thepapare.com Player of the match: Avishka Lee
Score breakdown:
Wesley College: G.O.D.N Dias, Avishka Lee 1T 3C 2P, G.M.I.C Aponso, Avantha Lee
Zahira College: Yusran Lantra 3T, H Razick, Zahid Sinhawansa 3C 1P
