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The 'kings' of school rugby
Kingswood take President's trophy in style
By Aubrey Kuruppu
Kingswood 33, Wesley 13
Kingswood laid to rest any lingering doubts as to the best schools rugby team this year with a smashing 33 points (2 goals, 2 tries, 2 drop goals and a penalty) to 13 ( a goal and two penalties) win over Wesley in the final of the President's Trophy Tournament played at Nittawela last evening.

In doing so, the doughty lads from Randles Hill performed the double as they had earlier won the league championship as well. Further, they made it two out of two against the formidable Wesley team.

The final seldom touched great heights of excitement and entertainment. There were knock out galore. The defence of both teams was good up to a point. But, slightly dispirited, Wesley gave away some easy pickings late in the game.

Kingswood deserve credit for running the ball at every opportunity. In contrast, the Wesley winger Nuwan Samith hardly got a touch on the ball. One man stood tall by his deeds and that was full back Eranda Weerakkody who seemed to have borrowed brother Nalaka's kicking boots. He accounted for two conversions, 2 drop goals and a penalty.

Wesley was first on the board through a Rukshan Omar penalty in the very first minute. Six minutes later, Weerakkody, restored parity. Soon after, Kingswood pressure on the Wesley line finally told. A short tap and scrum half Heshan Premaratne spotted a tiny gap and dived over - this was converted, (10-3). Premaratne and Achala Perera were in the thick of things and worked out some nice moves.

Wesley was slow in passing and the alert Kingswood defence was able to nab the man in passion. Omar made it 10-6 at lemons with a simple penalty conversion. Soon after the break, the Weerakkody show began with a couple of drop kicks and a penalty.

Wesley made a stirring come-back when number eight Tyronne Harison struggled off a few tackles, swung round and went through a gap to score. Omar's conversion made the score 19-13 and this was as far as Wesley got.

For Kingswood flanker Gamini Kirinde finished off a move that began in mid field. He was given a clear path along the touch - line. Thilina Manoj drove the final nail into the Campbell Park sides coffin by touching down almost on the stroke of full time.

Referee - Dilroy Fernando.
In the Premier trophy final which was concluded before the 'Big Un', Science College ran rings round Lumbini to pose a 32-11 win - In half time, Science led 10-6.

Science college opened out the game in the second half and their back division waltzed through time and again against a dispirited defence.
The place kicking of both teams was good - For the winners, their fly half and full back had excellent games.
Refree - Priyantha Gunaratne.

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