A windy Air Force Grounds in Ratmalana hosted a high-scoring Group B clash of the Dialog Schools Rugby League between S. Thomas’ College and Mahanama College, where the boys from Mount Lavinia emerged victorious with an all round performance, 50-35.
With their form and the manner in which Mahanama College has been playing this season after making it to the top division, this game was always going to be a well-fought encounter.
S. Thomas’ College were the first to trouble the scorers. Akith Cooray sliced open the Mahanama defense and got them 10m away from the line. They opted for a scrum off a penalty and worked a slick move, before the captain Venuka Wickramasuriya touched down. Mayaka Dias added in the extras. (S. Thomas’ 07 – 00 Mahanama)
Mahanama College were quick to respond with a run away try. An intercept from Sithum Rathnayake saw him snatch the ball and run 80m to score a fantastic try against the run of play. Rathnayake converted his own try. (S. Thomas’ 07 – 07 Mahanama)
It didn’t take the Thomians much time to throw in the next jab. Some fantastic first phase work from the backs off a scrum saw them make their way into the opposition 22m, before Akira Perera scored a try. Dias made no mistake off the tee. (S. Thomas’ 14 – 07 Mahanama)
Mahanama struck back and once again got back on level terms with the Thomians. This time, the Scrum Half Sithupa Fernando crept through the fringe defense of STC to score. Rathnayake added the 2 points. (S. Thomas’ 14 – 14 Mahanama)
Next it was the Thomian Forwards who got in on the act. A driving maul saw Amaan Imran scoring in the corner. The corner flag conversion was a piece of cake for Dias. (S. Thomas’ 21 – 14 Mahanama)
With the mistakes from Mahanama on the rise, STC had another scrum just 5m out, and they swung it out wide for Avishka Perera to score his second. Dias missed his first conversion of the day from the touch line.
Half Time – Mahanama College 14 (2T, 2C) – S. Thomas’ College 26 (4T, 3C)
With the second half underway, Mahanama were reduced to 14 for a high shot. With the overlap, the Thomians worked the ball down the line before Akith Cooray darted over to score a try. Dias was successful with his shot at goal. (S. Thomas’ 33 – 14 Mahanama)
Next was the Try of the Game. A fantastic individual try was seen from the Mahanama Center Isuru Akash, who his dancing shoes on and stepped his way past the hapless Thomian defence who just didn’t see his attack coming. The kick was good from Rathnayake as Mahanama cut the deficit. (S. Thomas’ 33 – 21 Mahanama)
With the game going at a fast pace, S. Thomas’ opted for the post after receiving a penalty. Mayanka Dias made no mistake and added another 3 to the Thomian score. (S. Thomas’ 36 – 21 Mahanama)
Mahanama lost another man to the bin and the Thomians were quick to pounce on it, as Akith Cooray sprinted his way over the line. Dias made no mistake off the tee. (S. Thomas’ 43 – 21 Mahanama)
The pace at which this game was going kept on speeding up. Mahanama scored right after through their Prop Forward Ishanka Sanjana. The reply was quick. Rathnayake continued his 100% accuracy off the tee. (S. Thomas’ 43 – 28 Mahanama)
The Thomians were on route to hit the half century. A spilt ball was booted forward, and Seneshka Liyanagunawardene dived over to score. Dias got the kick through. (S. Thomas’ 50 – 28 Mahanama)
Mahanama Wing Three Quarter Hapuhinna made a clean break a few minutes later. This paved the way for Chamuditha Peiris to score for Mahanama. No surprises, the kick from Rathnayake was a beauty.
A valiant effort from Mahanama was not enough to thump the Thomian Grit at the end of the 70th minute.
Full Time – Mahanama College 35 (5T, 5C) – S. Thomas’ College 50 (7T, 6C, 1P)
Swisstek Perfect Player of the Match
- Udan Bulathsinghalage (STC)
- Venuka Wickramasuriya 1T
- Avishka Perera 2T
- Amaan Imran 1T
- Akith Cooray 2T
- Seneshka Liyanagunawardene 1T
- Mayanka Dias 6C 1P
- Chamuditha Peiris 1T
- Sithupa Fernando 1T
- Ishanka Sanjana 1T
- Isuru Akash 1T
- Sithum Rathnayake 1T 5C
