Thomians regain shield after three years

By M. Shamil Amit

A Trinity player is held by two Thomians in their schools rugby clash at Longdon Place. S.Thomas’ won the game and the Canon R.S. de Saram Shield at 19-15. - Pic by Saman Kariyawasam

S. Thomas’ regained the Canon R.S. de Saram trophy after three years when they defeated arch rivals Trinity by 19 points (one goal, one drop goal, two penalties) to 15 (three tries) in their inter-school rugby encounter at Longdon Place yesterday, ending Trinity’s promotion to the top division on a sour note. This was also a tournament game organized by the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Association (SLSRA).

The two teams shared ten points at the end of the short whistle. Although the final tally was just four points in favour of the Thomians, it was they who dominated the proceedings in the second half. The Thomians drew first blood in the tenth minute when full back Manjith Thamaragama booted over a penalty. The day belonged to him as well as he contributed 14 points towards the win.

The Thomians made the first move. However it lasted for only four minutes as Trinity took the lead through a right corner flag try by centre Kenon Amstrong. The Kandy lads increased their lead 15 minutes later through a try by fly half Kenneth Jacob. with. Both conversions however went astray.

Not to be outdone, the Thomians made some sporadic moves and succeeded with a peach of a try through fly half Sanka de Livera who ran over 40 meters to score under the posts. Thamaragama added the extra points. The two teams changed sides sharing ten points each.

The second half saw the Thomians giving the Trinitians, who were off colour, a tough time. They took the lead through a fourth minute penalty put over by Thamaragama, He kept up the good work by booting over two more penalties in the 11th and 37th minutes. The Trinitians had no chance as their opponents dominated play and were in their territory for most part of this half. Trinity made only one move in this session which came in the dying stages. A Trinity prop forward succeeded in penetrating the Thomian defence for a try. But it was too late as referee Orville Fernando blew no side after the conversion was fluffed by the Trinity kicker.

Isipathana to play under protest
An official of the Isipathana rugby committee stated that they will be playing their inter-school rugby encounter against Kingswood at Bogambara today under protest. He cited that the disciplinary committee of the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Association (SLSRA) has failed to take action against a Kingswood player who allegedly manhandled Isipathana player Reza Mubarak at the Schools Rugby 7’s final against Kingswood in Kandy.