St.Peter’s College defeated Trinity College 38(6T, 4C) points to 24(4T, 2C) in the quarter finals of the Milo President’s Knockouts, at Sugathadasa Stadium earlier today and qualified for the semifinal.

Trinity came into the game after losing the prestigious Bradby shield to Royal with two back to back defeats against the Reid Avenue side. On other hand St.Peter’s had an inconsistent schools rugby season but they showed few glimpses of a side that could beat any team on their day. St.Peter’s won the league fixture 15 points to 13 and Trinity were single-minded for victory in this quarterfinal encounter.

Rashean Bandaranayake kicked off the game under perfect conditions at the Sugathadasa Stadium. The early exchanges saw St.Peter’s dominated possession but Trinity defended perfectly as they didn’t allow the Peterites to score.

Diyath Fernando intercepted a pass from Naween Rajaratnam near the half way line and scored under the post to open scoring for this game. Theekshana Dassanayake added the extra points. (SPC 07-00 TCK)

Trinity straight away replied through their powerful center Woren Weerakoon as he powered himself over three Peterite defenders to touch down for the Lions. Bandaranayake couldn’t add the extras. It was an end to end game as St.Peter’s hit back strongly at Trinity as Raveen Fernando took quick tap and moved the ball to his center Dassanayake as he went over for the Peterites .Dassanayake converted his own try with ease. (SPC 14-05 TCK)

Tries kept on coming and this time it was Shenal Abeywarne as he ended a superb move which Rashean Bandaranayake started and Abeywarne ended it  with a ‘pick and go’ to reduce the deficit. Bandaranayake bisected the upright perfectly with his conversion. (SPC 14 – 12 TCK)

St.Peter’s were feeling the pressure as Trinity kept on attacking at them. St.Peter’s somehow managed to defend the Trinity onslaught and then the makeshift flanker Jason Karunarathna found an overlap in the Trinity defence and went over to score the third try for his side. Dassanayake was spot on with his conversion (SPC 21 – 12 TCK)

Trinity came back strong to finish the first half when Woren Weerakoon cut through the Peterite defence and committing more tacklers towards him and then skipper Nathan Yee picked the ball from Weerakoon and scored an important try under the post. Bandaranayake’s conversion was block by Jason Karunarathna .just before the half time Weerakoon went right through the St.Peter’s defence to put his side to the lead for the first time in the game. Bandaranayke this time didn’t miss his convertion. (SPC 21 – 24 TCK)

Half Time – St.Peter’s 21 (3T, 3C) – 24 (4T, 2C) Trinity

St.Peter’s got off to a flying start when Theekshana Dassanayke found a gap in the Trinity  defence and then offloaded it to the speedster Diyath Fernando to score under the post. Dassanayke added the much important two points. St.Peter’s grew in confidence even further when Trinity was down to 14 in the park as Shenal Abeywarne was shown yellow card for a high tackle. St.Peter’s opted to go for touch from that penalty and hooker Julian Charles opted for a long line out throw and bulky prop Faiz Abdulla collect the line out throw and powered himself over the Trinity defence. Dassanayake couldn’t increase the lead through his kick this time. (SPC 33 – 24 TCK)

Trinity had few opportunities to score but they couldn’t finish those moves as they were unable to add the finishing touches for those promising moves. St.Peter’s put the icing on the cake right at the end with Jason Karunarathna going over for an unconverted try near left corner flag. (SPC 21 – 12 TCK)

St.Peter’s managed to see out the remaining few minutes without conceding any more points securing a vital victory in this quarterfinal.

Full Time – St.Peter’s 38 (6T, 4C) – 24 (4T, 2C) Trinity

ThePapare player of the match – Theekshana Dassanayake (St.Peter’s College)

Match referee – Dinka Pieris

ThePapare player of the match Theekshana Dassanayake expressed his thoughts about the game “we played the game very well as a team and Trinity gave good fight and they were leading at half time too. We came to win this game and because we played as a team we won it”

 

The score breakdown

St.Peter’s College 38 (21) 6T, 4C

Tries: Diyath Fernando (2), Jason Karunarathna (2), Theekshana Dassanayake, Faiz Abdulla

Conversions: Theekshana Dassanayake (4)

Trinity College 24 (24) 4T, 2C

Tries: Woren Weerakoon (2), Nathan Yee, Shenal Abeywarne

Conversions: Rashean Bandaranayake

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