Science College, led from the front by their skipper Dilruwan Perera, earned a hard-fought win against a Dharmaraja outfit that battled not only just their opponents, but relegation fears as well.
It was Tharusha Gallage, the big man out in front for Science College that drew first blood, going across a gap in the defense for five points, with skipper Dilruwan Perera converting well. (07-00) No later than three minutes had passed, when Dharmaraja college found their footing for a magic run down the wing, only to be denied their first try inches from the whitewash by an eagle-eyed Science defender.
For a while, it seemed like Dharmaraja College had done well to keep the home outfit on the back foot, with multiple phases in their 22, but Dilruwan Perera proved his burgeoning talent once more with a well timed kick in their own tryline to get themselves a 50-22. Such was his involvement in the game that in his absence, Science College looked a different team altogether.
It was Bosith Thilakarathne on the wing that found a massive cut-out pass from his skipper Perera and scored once more for Science College. (12-00)
Dilruwan Perera himself found himself in the try-scorer’s list, as he found an excellent pass from his nippy halfback to plug a gap in the Rajan defense to come down hard for an excellent try and conversion. (19-00)
Demitha Silva made sure Science College would go into lemons with a commanding lead with the third try for his team, with Dilruwan Perera converting it well for an extra two points. (26-00)
HALF TIME – (26–00)
Science College – 3T | 2C | 0P v Dharmaraja College 0T | 0C | 0P
The second half saw some needless disciplinary infringements from both sides, with Science College being handed a well-deserved yellow card for a reckless high tackle that saw play stopped for several minutes.
Dharmaraja College from that point on looked a force to be reckoned with defensively, with them denying Science College their first try despite the intimidating Science forwards frequently testing the Rajan defense on their own whitewash.
In fact, Dharmaraja were able to turn the tide on to the home side, with Bihanga Yapa Bandara giving the Kandyans their first five points, with their competent fly-half Pawan Manodya converting well. (26-07)
However, Science could not be silenced for long, as the big man Gallage came in for his brace, for a well fought five points. (31-07)
Skipper Dilruwan Perera put his surgical mentality on display once more as he drew in two defenders, off a wild lob pass from a lineout, only to offload a majestic pass to Rithnuka Dabare, who went on to capitalize for five points, with Perera converting well. (38-07)
With almost sixty minutes gone, it was Dulaksha Rajapaksha for the Rajans that finally got them over double digits for a well-earned try, but at this point, it was too little, too late for the Kandyan side. (38-12)
Science College waited out a few scares from an adrenaline-fuelled Rajan attack to find the whitewash for the final time, as the bench got in on the action as well- Sasanka Sangeeth came off the bench to find the whitewash for Science College, as scenes erupted at the Science College Grounds as the sun set. (43-12)
Points Breakdown
Science College
Tharusha Gallage 2T, Bosith Thilakaratne 1T, Dilruwan Perera 1T 4C, Demitha Silva 1T, Rithnuka Dabare 1T, Sasanka Sangeeth 1T
Science College
Bihanga Yapa Bandara 1T, Dulaksha Rajapaksha 1T, Pawan Manodya 1C
- ThePapare.com Player of The Match – Dilruwan Perera (C) – Science College
