Science College finally celebrated their maiden victory of the ongoing Dialog Schools Rugby League, edging out Thurstan College in a gripping group stage encounter played at the Science College grounds in Mount Lavinia yesterday (17th). In a match that promised high intensity, the hosts delivered a clinical performance to secure a 26-14 win, a result that could very well change their fortunes in the tournament.
Science College set the tone for the contest right from the kickoff, displaying intent and aggression. Playing on home soil, they started on a highly positive note by applying tremendous pressure on the visitors. After a few minutes of play, Science College received a scrum inside their own half. After a no. 08 break the ball switched to the scrum-half, and then it was given to the fly-half, who made a peach of a kick which bounced inside of the field of play. It resulted in a 50-22 lineout which gave possession back to Science College. After a clean line-out, science forwards attacked with a well-constructed maul, and they steamrolled the opposition to draw the first blood of the encounter. The try came courtesy of Dehen Manuranga, and the scrum-half Oshada Fonseka nailed a stunning conversion. (SC 07 – 00 TC)
Then Thurstan received a yellow card, and after a scrummage Science applied tremendous pressure on the opposition. As a result, the clearance kick which was made from the in-goal area just gained 10-15 metres, giving a brilliant attacking chance to the lads from Mt Lavinia. It was followed by a strong driving maul, but during this time, Thurstan’s forwards were up to the task early and gave a good resistance. Hence, the maul went inside ways, and finally, they made a strong push before being brought down just inches short of the whitewash. Then Science used the blind side to attack, and after a couple of phases, Mohommed Nabeel crossed for their second by giving a solid platform for a victory. Oshadha Fonseka made no mistake with the conversion by extending the lead. (SC 14 – 00 TC)
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After back-to-back blows, the lads from Cinnamon Gardens regrouped and staged a superb play. During the phase, fullback Theekshana Munasinghe joined the line and penetrated through the defence and made an excellent run by avoiding the tacklers with his side-stepping skills. He was brought down after reaching 10 metres away from the try line. Then the ball was worked in sideways, and the strong centre three-quarter and the skipper of Thurstan College, Ahad Sally, went through the defence like a hot knife through butter. Akeesha Pushpakumara made no mistake with the conversion. (SC 14 – 07 TC)
When Thurstan was fighting back, the spirited Science outfit never let the opposition settle. Without wasting much time, they attacked deep into the Thurstan territory. After some fine movement by the three-quarters, the fullback Minula Abeydheera made the break in the defence. Then he sprinted at lightning speed to get away from the chasers to cross the try line to extend their lead. (SC 19 – 07 TC)
At the brink of halftime, Science College received a scrum with their throwing, and Thurtan’s defence had the utmost accuracy when releasing the ball carrier and putting the hand on the ball to catch Science for not releasing the ball. Fly-half Thenuka Virun saw the opportunity and made a quick tap and brought the play near to the try line. Then Thurstan attacked with set pieces and drove forward inch by inch. Finally, Pasan Sushmitha crossed the whitewash with his latching players’ support to keep Thurstan in the hunt for glory. Akeesha continued to impress the Thurstan supporters with another accurate conversion. (SC 19 – 14 TC)
It was followed by the short whistle, and Science went for the lemons with a lead of just 5 points, but Thurstan returned for the dugout with the game momentum through the late strike.
Half Time: Science College, Mt. Lavinia 19 (3T, 2C) – 14 (2T, 2C) Thurstan College
Thurstan College started the proceedings in the second half with a short but high-hanging kick-off. Though Thurtan chasers did well to reach the ball, they failed to hold onto the ball with a fumble. Later, Thurtan College skipper Ahad Sally went through the defence to score his second, but the assistant referee Thuwan Azeez spotted a forward pass which looked like a flat pass to the naked eye.
When the Thurstan College were eagerly attacking to square the game, their course was eased as they were reduced to 14 men. Rivin Edirisooriya was the culprit who was sin-binned due to a stiff-arm tackle. But the opportunity went begging as Thurstan failed to find the touch. Later, the referee equalised the numbers on the field as Thurstan front rower Nithika Fernando was sin-binned for a dangerous play.
During the final quarter of the game, Science attacked deep into Thurstan territory, but the hosts gave away a scrum. There, Science received a lineout throw after Thurstan went for a clearance kick under tremendous pressure. After earning a good attacking position Science had a poor lineout as it was over-thrown. But the Science second rower not only did well to hold on to the loose ball but also well enough to make some good territory to bring his side on the verge of another try. Then the heavy-weighted forward, Niketh Pahasara, who came as a replacement, came into the act and picked up the ball from a ruck. He kept a good body position and used a nice angle to barge over the whitewash to score the bonus point try right under the crossbar. Akila Rajapaksha nailed one of the easiest conversions of the game. (SC 26 – 14 TC)
The game went for an anticlimax after the Science outfit was reduced to fourteen men again by presenting a five-metre penalty on a silver platter. To capitalise on the numerical advantage, Thurtan opted for a tap, but another opportunity went begging as the wing three-quarters made a knock-on. After a brief play, the referee blew the long whistle. This victory marks a significant turning point for Science College, offering them a much-needed confidence boost as they look to climb the league table following a streak of mixed results.
Full Time: Science College, Mt. Lavinia 26 (4T, 3C) – 14 (2T, 2C) Thurstan College, Colombo
- Swisstek Perfect Player of the Match – Minula Abeydheera (Science College)
Points Breakdown
Science College, Mt. Lavinia – 26
Dehen Manuranga 1T, Mohommed Nabeel 1T, Minula Abeydheera 1T, Niketh Pahasara 1T, Oshada Fonseka 2C, Akila Rajapaksha 1C
Thurstan College, Colombo – 14
Ahad Sally 1T, Sanul De Soysa 1T, Akeesha Pushpakumara 2C,
Match Referee – Hasantha Weranga
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