Petes takes Basil Wiratunga Trophy

St.Peter’s-27 St.Joseph’s-14

By Rangi Akbar

St. Peter’s who trailed 5-9 at the breather, came back to their own in the second half to drub St. Joseph’s 27-14 to retain the Basil Wiratunga Trophy in their annual Inter-School rugby tryst at Bambalapitiya yesterday.
The Josephians had the Peterites pinned to their own territory in the first half with some robust tackling. Dilshan Perera kicked three penalties accurately to give them a 9-5 lead at the breather.

“We rested five of our regulars for the knock-out,” said St. Peter’s coach Sanath Martis, adding, “We wanted to try out some of the youngsters.” St. Peter’s are the reigning A Division League Champions.Last week they achieved this target when they beat St. Anthony’s convincingly at Bogambara.

Josephian coach S.W. Chang who sacrificed watching his old school Trinity defeat Royal in the first leg at the Royal Complex said that they were very keen to keep the Josephians victory margin low.

Dilshan Perera kicked two penalties and the Joes enjoyed a 6-0 lead early in the game.

St. Peter’s scored a peach of a try next through center Gerard Canute to cut down the lead to 6-5 and the Joes went ahead at 9-0 through another Dilshan Perera penalty.

St. Peter’s pulled up their socks on resumption with a Harsha Weerakkody penalty. Even then St. Joseph’s led 9-8.

Then came the opportunity for the Petes to draw ahead at 15-9 through a try by Wirantha Karunanayake which was converted by Harsha Weerakkody.

A Harsha Weerakkody try put the Petes firmly ahead at 20-9. Ranuka Jayasinghe scored next enabling Harsha Weerakkody to convert.
This put the Petes well ahead at 27-9.

When the Peterites were almost sure of victory, the Joes scored out of the blue through Lahiru Fernando to reduce the final tally to 14-27.
Referee Aruna Rankothge.

The Rector of St. Joseph’s Fr. Sylvester Ranasinghe awarded the Basil Wiratunga trophy to the Peterites in front of a large gathering.

St. Joseph’s won the Under 15 and Under 17 encounters. The Under 11 game ended in a 7 all draw and St. Peter’s won the Under 18 game convincingly.