Wesley pip STC at the death; Ends League in 2nd and bags Shield

Wesley College were fortunate enough to end on the winning side of the referees whistle as the Double Blue pipped S. Thomas’ at the death 43 (7T 4C) – 38 (6T 4C) in a thrilling encounter played for the Sir Oliver Goonetilleke Memorial Shield and second place on the Dialog Schools Rugby League – Cup Championship table.

The home team started off on the front foot as Danush Dasanayake went close to scoring in the 2^nd minute of the game, however that attack was repelled by the Thomians as Wesley’s hands let them down in the first 5-minutes.

Wesley were 4^th time lucky as Prarthana Rodrigo went over on the far side after some good work by Hamdan Safraz as he made the initial bust up to break the Thomian defence. Haadi failed with the extras from the far touch line. (WC 05-00 STC)

The Thomians struck back straight away with a try of their own through Akith Cooray as the full back ghosted through the heart of the Wesley defence after 11 strong phases to touch down for the visitors opener which he rounded off under the posts.

Mayanka Dias made no mistake from under the uprights as the Thomians made their first entry into their opponents 22 count. (WC 05-07 STC)

The game was a side to side affair as both teams went hammer and tongs at each other in hope of breaking their opponents defences.

Mohommed Fawas made a dazzling run down the near touchline as he stepped past two would be defenders, but was held on by Zayden Akbar, as he held on for dear-life. His efforts were unfruitful as Fawas popped an offload for Inthikab to dot down for the Les-Blue’s second try of the evening.

Haadi failed with the extras from the near touch line this time, however, the home team took slender 3-point lead. (WC 10-07 STC)

The visitors kicking woes continued as they conceded their next points off a kick out on the full.

Wesley created an unstoppable maul as the visiting forwards failed to bring down the rumbling maul which was in front of them. Pawan Thirangama was the beneficiary as the third conversion too, from the touchline, Haadi failed with the extras but he hosts lead was extended. (WC 15-07 STC)

The Thomians struck back straight away as Avishka Perera and Mayanka Dias combined to score off first phases ball from a scrum, slicing through the hosts defence as Udan set up Avishka to assist Dias.

Dias failed with the extras this time as the visitors continued to trail. (WC 15-12 STC)

A scuffle broke through with the game held up for nearly 13 minutes as the two teams the crowd all got involved in what was an unnecessary brawl.

Soon after, the game restarted, Wesley were reduced to 13 while Thora were down a man with all involved in escalating the braw were sent to the bin.

The visitors pounced on the opportunity, electing for a scrum, given their superiority in numbers.

Mckyle broke off the scrum, however, made very little yards but a few phases later, Udan put in a well weighted grubber, to catch Wesley off guard at the back, as Mayanka Dias hared through to score, taking the visitors into lemons with a 4-point lead as he kicked over the extras himself.

Half time: Wesley College 15 (3T) trailed S. Thomas’ College 19 (3T 2C)

Both teams battled hard at the beginning of the second half, but it was Wesley scoring in similar fashion to the first, this time, Haadi finding himself diving over beside the upright untouched.

Udan’s failed touch-finder was where the try sprouted from and Haadi made mistake with the extras. (WC 22-19 STC)

Wesley failed to clear their lines from the restart which did not do their team any favors as the Thomians attacked, retaining the ball in style, and 8-phases later, with an advantage to their team, Udan, chanced his arm, giving Avishka Perera the ball and in potent fashion, the winger added the finish touch, stepping past two would-be tacklers to grab the lead again.

Dias made no mistake with the extras as he made it a 4-point game, as both teams traded blows, but neither able to knock-out their opponent. (WC 22-26 STC)

Plenty of time was left in the game as both teams were still in the reckoning for a win. Haadi was in the mix of things and seemed to have hurt his AC-join but nothing seemed to stop the Wesley vice-captain.

Mckyle was the next to get his name on the scoresheet as the big Eighth-man crashed his way over under the sticks to give the visitors a healthy lead after Dias slotted over for the extras. (WC 22-33 STC)

Time was on the side of Wesley as they trailed by 11-points.

Despite weathering the strong by being two men down, Wesley put their defence down for a few minutes which the Thomians preyed on, giving them a substantial lead to work with.

Wesley were the next to score as they hammered away at the Blue & Black defensive wall, and the pressure told as big prop Hapugala bagged a crucial 5-pointer, to put the home team one score away.

Haadi nailed the conversion over the black dot, giving, his team a glimmer of hope. (WC 29-33 STC)

A displaced kick by the Thomians, handed Wesley an opportunity as skipper Gammanpila broke off a lineout mall, scoring the next try, giving the home side the lead.

Haadi extended the lead with his conversion, meaning the game went into the final 10-minutes with 3-points separating the two teams. (WC 36-33 STC)

Wesley were under the cosh, but Mckyle fumbled over the try line as the Wesley defence was breached.

With 2-minutes left on the clock, Mckyle divied over the white-wash for a second time, this time fumbling, but backwards and somehow managed to dot down in time to give the visitors a lead with minutes left.

Dias failed with the extras as the game restarted with a minute left. (WC 36-38 STC)

With time running out, Wesley regathered the restart, and made headway with the STC defence unable to cope up with pressure.

After 8 phases, Haadi dived over, but seemed to lose the ball backwards, giving Dasanayake the chance to collect the ball off the padding to score.

The try was awarded after much review, Haadi added the extras as Wesley won the game after the 70^th minute to regain the Sir Oliver Goonetilleke Memorial Shield after 2019 and ending the League in 2^nd place.

Full time: Wesley College 43 (7T 4C) beat S. Thomas’ College 38 (6T 4C)

• Swisstek Player of the Match: Abdul Haadi (WC No. 15)

Points Breakdown:

Wesley: Prarthana Rodrigo 1T, Inthikab 1T, Pawan Thirangama 1T, Abdul Haadi 1T 4C, Hapugala 1T, Gammanpila 1T, Dasanayake 1T,

 

S. Thomas’: Akith Cooray 1T, Mayanka Dias 2T 4C, Avishka Perera 1T, Mckyle Karunarathne 2T,