Hat-trick hero for the day! Nizran Nilar scores his second try for the day as St. Peter's take major honours against the Double Blues
St. Peter’s College demolished Wesley College 33 (5T,2C) points to 17 (3T,1C) in the Singer Schools Rugby League 2018 encounter worked off at Havelock Park earlier this evening. Peterite lock forward Nizran Nillar scored a hat-trick of tries to help his team secure their 2nd victory of the season
Wesley College opened their season on a high, as basic rugby skills were displayed as a draw pass from Mursheed Zubair, which opened up the winger Mahanandas Paranithran to touch down in the far corner for the double blues. Zubair missed the conversion from a tight angle. (SPC 00 – 05 WC)
Peterites were unsettled in the first five minutes and errors kept on coming as Wesley managed score once again and increase their score. This time it was the scrum half Sathmina Perera who found space in the Peterite defence and offloaded it to playmaker Tharindu Walapita to score near the uprights. Zubair didn’t disappoint his team mates with his conversion. (SPC 00 – 12 WC)
The Peterites felt the pressure as Wesley had a perfect start to their season but Dilshan Madushanka managed to sneak in a try with quick feet to reduce the deficit as Shehan Liyanapathirana bisected the uprights with his conversion.
St. Peter’s had the urgency to increase the tempo of the game with their speedy backs threatening the opposition at regularly intervals. A bold decision from the scrum half Jason Karunarathne to take a quick tap from a penalty in front of the sticks paid off as Nizran Nillar scored his first try to level the game. Surprisingly Liyanapathirana missed a sitter kick in front of the sticks. (SPC 12 – 12 WC)
St. Peter’s College v Wesley College | ThePapare Stats Centre
Schools rugby 2018
Petes coming from behind had a kickable penalty but Liyanapathirana missed another easy kick. Peterite forwards combined together as they were patient in their attack as more pick and drives were executed perfectly with their skipper Javid Zarook managing to put his side to the lead as he found the white wash. Liyanapathirana missed easy kicks but was spot on with this difficult kick to increase the lead. (SPC 19 – 12 WC)
Former Sri Lanka under 18 seven’s Player Raveen Fernando was stretchered off the field with an ankle injury, which could keep him out of rugby for some time and St. Peter’s faithful will be hoping for a speedy recovery for Fernando as he is a vital asset for the bamba brigade .Wesley somehow managed to score just before the half time with training ground moves from a lineout. The first receiver, combining with the scrum half opened up space for the hooker, Tharindu Samarakoon to score a crucial try for the double blues. Zubair was unable to add the extras.
Half Time: St. Peter’s College 19 (3T, 2C) – 17 (3T, 1C) Wesley College
Second half was purely dominated the by Peterite forwards as they changed their game plan and used their forwards a lot with rolling mauls and pick and drives. Wesley was unable cope with the pressure of the rolling maul as they conceded penalties regularly and the Petes scored from a rolling maul with Nizran touching down for the second time and the bonus point try for the Petes. Liyanapathirana managed to add the extras.
Wesley still conceding penalties at regular intervals, saw the centre, Eranda Harshana, sent to the bin for continuous infringements in the breakdown.
Petes managed to score on the brink of full time again through lock forward Nizran, scoring his third try near the post from a pick and drive. Liyanapathirana managed to add the extra two points as the Referee Aaqil Jamaldeen blew the final Whistle.
Full Time: St. Peter’s College 33 (5T, 4C) – 17 (3T, 1C) Wesley College
ThePapare.com’s Player of the match – Nizran Nillar (St. Peter’s College)
Match referee – Aaqil Jamaldeen
Breakdown
St. Peter’s College: Tries from Nizran Nillar (3), Javid Zarook and Dilshan Madushanka Conversions by Shehan. Liyanapathirana (4)
Wesley College: Tries from Mahanandas Paranithran, Tharindu Walapita and Tharindu Samarakoon Conversion by Mursheed Zubair
Send offs: (Yellow) Eranda Harshana
