St.Benedicts College rounded off a clinical performance beating Nalanda College in the chairman trophy final by 37 points to 12. Benedictines collected their points through six tries, two conversions and one penalty, where the visitors collected their points through two tries and one conversion.
St.Benedicts College started off brightly scoring in the far corner where the back line was prominently involved in making space for R.Merinus. Conversion was unsuccessful by Malitha Deshan. ( SBC 05 NC 00)
A few minutes later Nalanda college Line was caught offside and Bens flyhalf Malitha Deshan made no mistake with the penalty. (SBC 08 NC 00)
The Benedictines were on a roll as they pounced on every opportunity that came their way. A Clean line out ball was well worked finding a hole in the defense and B.M.L Perera touched down easily and Malitha Deshan was successful with the conversion. (SBC 15 NC 00)
Bens built more pressure through their powerful forwards and again they were able to form a maul off line out and through the blind side B.M.L Perera was able to score and Malitha Deshan was successful with the conversion. (SBC 22 NC 00)
Nalanda College finally came into the game just before the half time and off a quick tap D.R Mahindarathne burst through the opposite defense to score his team’s first try. Mahindarahtne made no mistake with the conversion. (SBC 22 NC 07)
Half Time – St.Benedicts College 22 Nalanda College 07
Second half just like the first belonged to St.Benedict’s as they dominated the scrums and the line outs. A quick tap was taken by B.M.L Perera who touched down for his hat-trick. Malitha Deshan missed the conversion. (SBC 27 NC 07)
A few minutes’ later forwards for Bens gained the hard yards through a maul and M.S Pushpakumara burst through the opposite defense and scored. Malitha Deshan missed the conversion. (SBC 32 NC 07)
Nalanda was awarded a penalty in the opposite twenty two meter. A quick tap was taken yet again and Mahindarathne pierced the defense to touch down for second try. Mahindarathne missed the conversion. (SBC 32 NC 12)
Bens added the icing on the cake as they wrapped up the game delighting their supporters scoring through a maul and M.S Pushpakumara went over. Malitha Deshan missed the conversion.(SBC 37 NC 12)
At full time it was a well-deserved victory for the Benedictines beating a hapless Nalanda side as they took home the Chairman’s trophy.
Referee- Sarath Madugalla
ThePapare Player of the match – St.Benedicts College No 06 B.M.L Perera
