A game that lived up to its billing. Arguably the best school boy rugby encounter in recent times. Two unbeaten teams in the cup segment, Trinity and Zahira locked horns at the Zahira College Grounds in Maradana. At the end of the 70 minutes, it was Trinity that edged passed Zahira to win 37-32.
Zahira started the game strong. Trinity were on the backfoot right from the get-go. After a string of penalties, Zahira took a quick tap and their scrum half Afham Abdeen brushed passed the Trinity defense to score the first of many tries of the day. Shaifullah Zulfikar added the extras. (Trinity 00 – 07 Zahira)
However, that early lead was leveled by the Trinitians. After a well set maul, Trinity’s number 8 Achintha Jayasena barged over to score Trinity’s first try. Shan Althaf added the 2 points. (Trinity 07 – 07 Zahira)
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Zahira got the next score through a penalty kick put over by Zulfikkar, however Trinity replied in no time. Akash Fernando got over to get Trinity the lead for the first time in the game.Althaf missed the extras.
Zahira’s defense was on point. Zahira’s kicking game caused problems. Trinity’s attack was wobbly. But the defending champions found themselves in the lead.
Half Time – Trinity 12 (2T, 1C) vs Zahira 10 (1T, 1C, 1P)
Trinity started the second half strong. Taking all points on offer was the name of the game for both teams. Shan Althaf knocked over a penalty from 40m out to extend Trinity’s lead. (Trinity 15 – 10 Zahira)
Zahira replied in kind in quick time with a penalty from Zulfikkar to reduce the gap to two points. (Trinity 15 – 13 Zahira)
The blows didn’t stop. Both teams kept exchanging punches. It was Trinity who scored next through Achintha Jayasena. Althaf added the extras. (Trinity 22 – 13 Zahira)
This game didn’t stop delivering. Zahira threw the next blow. Ahamed Arafath the prop forward, silenced the Trinity faithful with a brace, as Zulfikkar missed to add the 2 points. (Trinity 22 – 18 Zahira)
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Trinity broke the pattern. They scored twice in quick succession. The most important 10 minutes of the game. A penalty through Shan Althaf, and an exceptional try from Akash Fernando chasing a box kick from Udan Wijekoon. Althaf added the extras. For the first time in the game, the margin between the two schools passed 10 points. (Trinity 32 – 18 Zahira)
It had to be Muzil Samath who scored next. It was Zahira’s best forward that bridged the gap, in a bid to make a comeback for the ages. Zulfikkar’s conversion made it a 7 point game. (Trinity 32 – 25 Zahira)
But with Trinity playing the games in the right oart of the field, a well-worked set move play, allowed Shan Althaf to brush passed a number of would-be tacklers, to score in the corner, and take the Zahirians down a peg. (Trinity 37 – 25 Zahira)
With the game approaching the last 2 minutes. Basith Feroze scored right off the restart. With the game was going, that was no surprise. Zulfikkar added the extras.
After a hard fough game. A game where the pendulum swung multiple times. It was Trinity that held on to their unbeaten tag.
Full Time – Trinity 37 (5T, 3C, 2P) vs Zahira 32 (4T, 3C, 2P)
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The league is anything but done. Week 9 here we come. Will we have a new league champion? Or will Trinity defend their title?
