Zahira College Colombo commenced their singer schools rugby league 2017 by defeating the much fancied Science College Mount Lavinia by 19 points to 13 at Ratmalana this evening. At half time it was 13 points to 8 in favor of the newly promoted lads from Maradana.
Game started under windy and overcast conditions at Air force grounds. From the inception Zahira College meant business as their back line continually attacked the Science defense with dazzling hits and sublime running angles meant that science was under tremendous pressure. Minhaj Samsudeen the outside center of Zahira College originating an attacking move with his rapid speed which gained more than 40 meters before offloading the ball to the speedster Yuzraan Lantra to score under the sticks. Zaid Sinhawansa bisected the uprights with no difficulty. (SC 00-07 ZC)
Science College lacked experience in the middle as they made so many unforced errors, they had their attacking strategies too but the finishing touches were missing. The outside half of Science college Vibuda Sahan got two scoring opportunities with penalties offered him in kickable range but he could only get one penalty through the uprights to reduce the deficit on the other hand Zaid was spot on with the penalty kick he received when the Science line was deemed offside. Science College made the maximum out of the mistakes by the Zahira defense through Sanjula Rohan as he collected a long cutout pass from Hashan Madumadawa to touch down in the right corner to close down the gap. Unfortunately, Madumadawa missed the conversion. (SC 08-13 ZC)
Half Time – SC 08-13 ZC
Second half saw both teams striving towards scoring points under windy conditions. Zahid missed two penalty kicks in quick succession as the conditions didn’t helped him at all. Science College equalized the score through their full back Imash Priyadarshana who received the ball from a set move initialed by their fly half Vibuda Sahan, Sahan himself had the opportunity to put his side to the lead through his conversion kick but he was unable to do so. (SC 13-13 ZC)
Last quarter of the game saw Science college opting to go for touch when they received kickable penalties as the team didn’t have any confidence about their kicker but it was a different story for their opponents as Zahira opted to take a shot at the goal each time when they received a penalty inside the opposition half. Zahid responded to the responsibility entrusted to him when he bisected the uprights twice in the last five minutes to take his team toward victory. (SC 13-19 ZC)
Full time – SC 13-19 ZC
Post-match, Zahira College Head coach Shamli Nawas Shared his views about the performance of his players and about their outside half.
“Zahid had a good game and I congratulate the backs because they were taking ball up and they played a huge role in this game. They should get the credit for destroying the science team”
ThePapare player of the match – Zahid Sinhawansa (Zahira College)
The score breakdown
Science College (08) 13
Tries: Sanjula Rohan, Imash Priyadarshana
Penalties: Vibuda Sahan
Zahira College (13) 19
Tries: Yuzraan Lantra
Conversions: Zahid Sinhawansa
Penalties: Zahid Sinhawansa (4)
