The Milo Under 18 Rugby league tournament reached its penultimate stage with the Cup semi finals being worked off at the Ananda College Rugby grounds in Rajagiriya. Reigning champions Isipathana took on a strong St.Anthony’s College outfit while Zahira College were pitted against Kingswood College.
Isipathana College Vs St.Anthonys College (Semi Final 01)
Defending champions Isipathana College took on the formidable St.Anthony’s College outfit who had a handful of players who represented their 1st XV team. Despite this advantage it was Isipathana who came out on top with a 08nil victory over the team from Kandy.
Both teams were pumped up for this crucial game it was very much evident in their attacking approach adopted right from the kick off.
despite some breathtaking runs neither side managed to trouble the scoreboard with their respective defenses coming out on top. During the first quarter of the half the Antonians came close to scoring on two occasions but just couldn’t add the finishing touches and had to retreat empty handed.
Isipathana College who came storming into opposition territory then manged to draw first blood through Fullback Supun Senevirathne who put over a straight forward penalty kick from 20 yards out after the Antonians were penalized for offside. With the half almost up the Antonians had one last chance when a clearance kick by one of the Isipathana players was charged down but fortunately for the greens the ball rolled over the dead line before any player could reach it.
Half Time: Isipathana 03 – St.Anthony’s 00
The resumption saw Isipathana trying to consolidate their position in the game by scoring a try but the Antonian defense manged to keep the “Green Machine” in check. Despite the resistance Isipathana kept attacking and finally managed to break the shackles in the 30th minute through Supun Senevirathne who manged to cut through the Antonian defense and score mid right.
Senevirathne fluffed the conversion yet Isipathana led 8nil. Isipathana tried their best to put the issue beyond doubt by scoring again but failed to do so despite coming close on two occasions. The Antonians did try their best to counter but poor passing and static ball to their backs never helped their cause. Isipathana managed to see out the remainder of the game and book their place in the finals for the second consecutive year.
Full Time: Isipathana 08 – St.Anthony’s 00
Zahira College Vs Kingswood College. (Semi Final 02)
Semi Final 2 of the Cup segment saw new boys the A division Rugby circuit taking on Kingswood College, Kandy. taking advantages of the opposition mistakes, Kingswood college managed to book their place in the finals with a 17-05 win.
The game got off to a fast start with Kingswood attacking from the word go. after a considerable amount of pressure the Kandy team took the lead inside just 3 minutes through their No.08 who barged his way through a Zahirian defense that was caught off guard. Fly half Asiri Senevirathne was not successful in adding the extras. (ZC 00 – KCK 05).
Conceding the early try Zahira came back hard at the Kingswoodians and virtually parked themselves inside the opposition 22′. After a series of ‘pick and goes’ Zahira college leveled the scores through flanker Nizran Nilam who scored by powering his way through to score beside the posts. The easy conversion however was missed by Y. Lantra who only managed to smash it against the posts. (ZC 05 – KCK 05)
Kingswood college were forced to make some early changes due to injuries and it did not not help to settle into a rhythm during the game. Zahira however had problems of their own as they kept handing over possession inside their own half through many unforced errors giving opportunities the dangerous backs of Kingswood to have a go. Kingswood manged to take the lead just before the break when winger Sachintha Senevirathne added the finishing touches to a sweeping back division move and score an unconverted try.
Half Time: Zahira 05 – Kingswood 10.
Zahira College started 2nd half, better from the two teams, but the seemed to lack the cutting edge to penetrate the Kingswoodian defense. their center combination was given a torrid time by the Kingswood backs which made life difficult for Zahira to gain territory.
in addition Yuzran Lantra was having a poor game with his kicks to touch which kept putting the pressure back to his team mates without any chance to recover.
Kingswood distanced themselves further through Tharindu Weligampola who scored under the posts giving Sachintha Amarasena an easy kick at goal. (ZC 05 – KCK 17) Zahira College tried their best to make a comeback into the game but some solid defending by the Kingswoodians and some crucial mistakes under pressure by the Zahirians worked in Kingswoods favour as they held on to qualify for the finals against Isipathana College,which will be held scheduled to be held next Friday (15th) at CR & FC.
Full Time: Zahira 05 – Kingswood 17
