A thrilling see-saw encounter saw St. Anthony’s College Kandy and Science College Mt. Lavinia ended in home side victory 24-21.
Sri Lanka school’s rugby calendar showed a change in dates due to the absence of officials on last week. Therefore the game was re-scheduled today at the same venue. Both teams arrived at Bogambara this evening knowing that a win would ensure their safety from relegation.
The visitors dominated their territory right from the kick off whistle. Wet conditions resulted regular knock-ons by the home side. With a turn over ball Science right winger made a good attempt for a touch down but the Eagles defense gave no chance for him to cross the line. However with some perfect passes Science inside center Chethiya held the ball and shoved towards the try line and marked the first try of the day. Chathura Gomes who has performed well throughout the season landed the conversion successfully to have an early lead for 7 nil.
From then onwards the Antonians came up strong breaking the Science defense. With two moves, Antonian hooker and the Skipper Yakoob Ali did good in the right corner near the line out mark in recording his sixth try for the season but the conversion kick was well wide.
Thereafter kicks were often displayed. Antonians were penalized for not releasing and gave Science a chance to kick at goal. Chathura landed his second kick of the day successfully to extend the lead for 10-5. In the 30th minute yet again Antonians were penalized for coming in from the side near their own 40m line. Chthura made no mistakes with his boots and was on target to extend a further lead for 13-5.
At the brink of first half Antonians came up sturdily and some fine work saw Antonian fly half Fazlur Fazeer touch- down for a try on the left corner. The kicker Sajith Hemantha yet again missed the conversion to leave a 3 point margin at the short whistle.
Half Time: SACK 10 (2T) – SC 13 (1T, 1C, 2P)
After the break, both teams exposed an assaulting mode of play. In the 60th minute Antonians were penalized near their own 22 for not releasing the ball, thus Science College gained an opportunity to kick at goal. The kicker Chathura Gomes who showed up well from the outset, was unsuccessful this time.
Afterwards the Antonians came up with some fine strategies. In the 65th minute the winger C.B Ranaraja made an effort for a try but the science jostled him at the touch line.The Antonians got hold of the ball after the line out was won on the 70th minute and the scrum half T.V.K Jagoda brushed through the Science gates and touched down for a try right under the post. Sajith converted for an Eagles lead of 17-13.
In reply, Science winger Thanuja made a grabber to move the ball along the field, collected it safely and made a superior try. Though Yakoob made an effort to block him up, it wasn’t successful. Chathura added two more points with his boots to extend the lead by a single point.
In the 75th minute once again the Antonians were penalized for attacking from the side of the ruck and therefore Science were awarded with a penalty kick. This time Chathura was right on the target to broaden the margin for 21-17.
In the extra minutes awarded, Antonian loose head prop T.N Sahabandu shoved with his pack to touch down the final try of the day. Kicker Sajith Hemantha clipped it over the uprights to conclude the scoring. Antonians recorded their third win for the season and safeguarded themselves from the relegation zone.
Full Time : SACK 24 (4T, 2C) – SC 21 (2T, 1C, 3P)
