By Shamseer Jaleel
Trinity 15 points St Antony’s 11 points
Trinity College started their rugby season on a winning note against Katugastota Antonians by 15 points (3 tries) to 11 points (2 penalties, 1 try) win their Singer League Under 19 encounter at the Nittawela Rugby Stadium yesterday.
At the short breather, Antonians led 11- 5.
The game was played under overcast and wet conditions up in the Hills. Ball handling was a tough ask, but both sides did well. Antonians played well in the early stages of the game. They gained a lot of territorial advantage through Makrim’s kicks, but failed to end in scoring on most occasions. Their number 8 and national player, Mohamed Shabeer, was outstanding. He was lightning fast in close play where he took many turn-overs for the Katugastota lads. Skipper Amarkoon too stood out but was carried away with a knee injury later on in the game. Trinity played well with their three quarter line. Warren Weerakoon, Avishka Sheik and Naveen Rajaratnam were always threatening in their moves. They split the Antonian defence on many occasions. In the kicking game Trinity was far below form, missing out on 2 conversion kicks under the posts, plus failing to gain territorial advantage through long touch kicks.
Antonians drew first blood in the seventh minute of the game when they won a penalty for high tackle. Mohamed Makrim put them on the board with a 35 meter penalty. Seven minutes later, Trinity fought back with the ball changing hands – their number 8, Lenox Calyanaratne, touched down and took the lead. Skipper, Avishka Sheik missed the conversion. Trinity lost their winger, Geeshapa Kulatunge for a high tackle offense with a Yellow Card. This helped Antonians to attack in Trinity half. Through a sweeping three quarter move their centre, Ishara Liyanage, foxed the entire Trinity three quarters when he scored the only Antonian try. Makrim missed the conversion but the home team took the lead 8/5. Another Makrim penalty took Antonians to a 6 points lead at the short breather (11/5).
After the turn around Trinity made several bold moves though their centre Warren Weerakoon with some powerful play. He handed off a few defenders before touching down a try for Trinity to narrow the gap by one point. With the time running out, Trinity made a thundering move, working from their 22 in to the Antonian half. After several phases of play, their skipper Avishka Sheik found the try line.
Referee: P Weranga
Trinity won the Under16 game 24/12
Joes outclass Thomians
St Joseph’s College kicked off the Singer League 2018 Under 19 rugby encounter when they outclassed S. Thomas’ College Mount Lavinia by 33 points (4 goals, 1 try) to 10 points (2 tries) at Havelock Park yesterday. At the short breather Joes led 21/5. (SJ)
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