St. Anthony’s College registered a determined victory over Lumbini College in a wet and demanding Week 4 encounter of the Dialog Schools Rugby League, played at the Nittawela Grounds. In a match that saw momentum swing both ways, the Antonians held their composure across 70 minutes to overcome a spirited Lumbini outfit in testing conditions.
The game kicked off earlier than scheduled due to the weather conditions, with Lumbini getting proceedings underway. However, early nerves were evident as St. Anthony’s knocked the ball on from the kickoff, setting the tone for a scrappy opening on a slippery surface.
The breakthrough came in the 5th minute when, following a quick tap by the Antonians after a ruck infringement, Lumbini winger Sachintha Induwara intercepted a loose pass deep inside the Anthonian 22. Sprinting the length of the field, he touched down for a stunning opening try before calmly adding the conversion. (SACK 00 – 07 LC)
St. Anthony’s responded in the 14th minute after Lumbini were penalized for offside at a lineout. Opting for a scrum, the Antonians executed a series of phases before lock Dinuka Jayasundara powered over for a well-worked try. Fullback Daham Perera added the extras to level the scores. (SACK 07 – 07 LC)
Just minutes later, a costly mistake from the restart saw St. Anthony’s concede a penalty, which was duly slotted by Induwara to restore Lumbini’s lead. (SACK 07 – 10 LC)
The Antonians’ forward pack began to assert dominance, and in the 19th minute, a series of pick-and-go phases resulted in prop Shevin Nethsara crashing over for a crucial try. (SACK 12 – 10 LC)
Momentum continued to build for the lads from Katugastota, and in the 28th minute, sustained pressure near the Lumbini line, combined with a maul infringement, allowed St. Anthony’s to capitalize. A rolling maul culminated in Alan Frazer grounding the ball in the corner, with Perera adding an excellent conversion from out wide. (SACK 19 – 10 LC)
Half Time: St. Anthony’s College 19 (3T, 2C) – 10 (1T, 1C, 1P) Lumbini College
The second half began with renewed intent from Lumbini. In the 42nd minute, a quick tap following an offside penalty caught the Antonians off guard, allowing number 8 Thisun Perera to break through the defence and score. Induwara converted to bring the visitors back within striking distance. (SACK 19 – 17 LC)
St. Anthony’s responded once again through their forwards. In the 47th minute, after earning a penalty for hands in the ruck, they kicked for touch and executed a textbook rolling maul, with Dinuka Jayasundara grabbing his second try of the match. (SACK 24 – 17 LC)
Lumbini kept the pressure on, and in the 52nd minute, Induwara added another penalty after the Antonians failed to retreat 10 metres. (SACK 24 – 20 LC)
The turning point came in the 59th minute when repeated infringements by Lumbini at the maul saw their captain warned by the referee. St. Anthony’s capitalized immediately, working another rolling maul before hooker Sithum Premarathne crossed the whitewash. Perera was once again on target with the conversion. (SACK 31 – 20 LC)
Despite the deficit, Lumbini continued to fight. In the 69th minute, a turnover from a four-man lineout deep in Anthonian territory, coupled with a yellow card for offside, gave Lumbini an opening. Taking a quick tap, their number 8 powered over for a late try, narrowing the gap once more. (SACK 31 – 25 LC)
However, time was not on their side, and St. Anthony’s held firm in the closing moments to secure a well-earned victory in a physically demanding contest.
Full Time: St. Anthony’s College 31 (5T, 3C) – 25 (3T, 2C) Lumbini College
- Swisstek Perfect Player of the Match: Dinuka Jayasundara (SACK)
Points Breakdown
St. Anthony’s College – 31
Dinuka Jayasundara – 2T, Shevin Nethsara – 1T, Alan Frazer – 1T, Sithum Premarathne – 1T, Daham Perera – 3C
Lumbini College – 25
Sachintha Induwara – 1T, 2C, 2P
Thisun Perera (No.8) – 2T
