Sports

Kingswood romp home with Schools rugby plum

By M. Shamil Amit

Kingswood 26

S.Thomas 22

Kingswood topped off their remarkable rugby season this year with the much cherished plum of Schools Knockout champions defeating S.Thomas' Mt Lavinia 26 points (3 goals, 1 try) - 22 (2 goals, 1 try, 1 penalty) in the final at the Sugathadasa Stadium yesterday.

Thomian fly half Wasim Thajudeen is stopped in his tracks by two Kingswood defenders. An action from the entertaining Schools Knock-out played at Sugathadasa Stadium Yesterday. (Pic by Ishara S. Kodikara).

The Kandy lads who took time to settle down, ten minutes in fact stamped their seal of authority before the first half was over running in three tries to lead at lemons 21 - 7.

Play began at a hot pace with the Thomians spearheaded by number eight Namal Rajapakse making sporadic moves. They were rewarded for their efforts when their line got in motion to end with a try by winger Kasun Kohanna. Prop forward Isuru Fernando sent their supporters haywire by converting it. A few minutes later the Thomians got an opprtunity to increase the lead through a penalty but Isusru's kick went astray.

The Kinswoodians who were a bit shaky at the start got their act together and in the 18th minute off a melee near the Thomian ten metre line number eight Achala Perera barged his way through to score. Eranda Weerakkody added the extra points to level the scores. From then onwards they never looked back and increased their tally four minutes later when Eranda taking the ball from Achala Perera went over for a try which he converted. Kingswood 14 - S. Thomas' 7.

Kingswood fly half Fazil Marija sent shock waves down the Thomian supporters’ spines with a peach of a try in the 26th minute when he intercepted a Thomian pass and sprinted almost 35 meters to score under the post and with Eranda coverting they took a 14- point lead. The Thomians not to be outdone fought back gallantly and kept up the pressure until they succeeded in reducing the deficit in the last minute of the first half. Number eight Namal Rajapakse with his usual flamboyant playing style outsmarted many defenders to score and Isuru added the extra points.

In the second half the Thomians again drew first blood with a second minute try through scrum half Mani Siriwardena. Four minutes later Kingswood's Eranda missed a penalty. With no quarter asked nor given the Thomians fought back like tigers and took the lead when in the 12th minute Isuru put over a 30 metre penalty. S. Thomas' 22 - Kingswood 21. Five minutes later Kingswood playing with more cohesion and a better plan took the lead when fly half Fazil Marija receiving a pass from skipper Dinesh sizzled his way through for a try on the right corner flag. From then on the Thomians who were in their opponents territory for most of the time never made use of the opportunities they got and the game ended in favour of the Kinsgwoodians. Credit cannot be taken away from the Kingswoodians who gave the Thomians a run for their money and were worthy champions. They had the honour of being the only unbeaten side in the schools rugby season this season this year.-Referee - Nizam Jamaldeen.


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