S. Thomas’ College scored a try in the dying minutes to defeat Wesley College 19-13 in the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2023 game played at the Big Club Grounds in Mount Lavinia.
The Thomians wrest back the Sir Oliver Goonetilleke Shield from the Campbell Park boys after a lapse of six years. The tally now stands at three wins for S. Thomas’ and two for Wesley with game not played in 2018, 2020, 2021 and 2022.
The S. Thomas’ started the game on the front foot dominating possession and territory. Yehan Bulathisinghalage put the hosts in front with a penalty in the 3rd minute and doubled the score with another 3-pointer in the 15th minute.
Bulathsinghalage’s booming kicks were creating havoc amongst the Wesley ranks while they were unable to get accustomed to the windy conditions at the School by the Sea. A counterattack from deep inside their half saw the Thomians score a try through D.A. Senaratne. Bulathisinghalage failed to add the extra two points as the scores read 11-0.
With the yellow card to Thomians’ No.8 S.D. Fernando, momentum shifted to Wesley’s favour as they rumbled through for a try in the 32nd minute. Chamodh Nimsara’s try was converted by Abdul Haadhi as Wesley went into the halftime breakdown 11-7.
Half Time: S. Thomas’ 11 (1T, 2P) – Wesley 7 (1T, 1C)
Soon after the restart, Bulathisinghalage added a penalty to make it 14-7. In the 49th minute, Haadhi, who had a torrid 1st half, scored a penalty to bring down the gap to 14-10. He again converted a penalty with 15 minutes to go to make the difference just one point (14-13).
Minutes later Wesley’s Abdulla Siddik received a yellow card and the Thomians’ took advantage of it with Mohamed Hakeem scoring a try in the 63rd minute. Bulathsinghalage missed the conversion (19-13). S. Thomas’ held off the advancing Wesleyities in the dying moments to secure the win.
Full Time: S. Thomas’ 19 (2T, 3P) – Wesley 13 (1T, 1C, 2P)
NDB Player of the Match – S.D. Fernando (STC)
Points Scorers
Thomas’ – D.A. Senaratne (1T), Mohamed Hakeem (1T) & Yehan Bulathsinghalage (3P)
Wesley – Chamodh Nimsara (1T), Abdul Haadhi (1C & 2P)
