S. Thomas’ turn blue and black

S. Thomas’ must be wondering what hit them at Bogambara yesterday! Their key game against Trinity was heading for a 10 all draw and was all but over. With the minutes ticking by S. Thomas’ full back Thammanegama fumbled with the ball and Trinity pounced on it like a set off panthers and winger Sameer (No 14) burst through the Thomian defence like a streak of lightning to score mid left. Trinity supporters all but went berserk as they nosed through to a 15 (three tries) to 10 (a goal and drop kick) to win the Canon R. De Saram Shield on the stroke of time.

Thus S. Thomas’ lost their unbeaten tag and Trinity remain unbeaten in the Singer Division A rugby competition. The game had all the trimmings of a Cup final. Trinity entered the field with wins over Isipathana and Vidyartha while S. Thomas’ had two fine wins over St. Peter’s and Dharmaraja.

The first half was stormy. S. Thomas’ scored off a forwards rush with deputy skipper Hallock barging over and Thammanegama was on target with the conversion. With the Thomians having a 7-0 lead Trinity threw all they had to the game but the Thomian defence held. Trinity were reduced to 14 men at this stage when skipper Gunawardena was shown the Yellow Card and was sent to the Sin Bin for a blatant late tackle.

Rough play entered the scene next and players were seen going for each other. A major fracas was prevented when the two skippers in a magnanimous gesture hugged each other and pledged to continue the game without any rough play. S. Thomas’ led 7-0 at the breather.

On resumption Thomian fullback Thammanaegama made a neat drop kick and S. Thomas’ led 10-0 early in the second half. S. Thomas’ were reduced to 14 men next when hooker Andrado was sent to the Sin Bin.

Trinity threw all they had into the attack and the vital breakthrough came during injury time when Trinity forward Ishrath Singhalakshana (No 8) scored off a forwards rush. Trinity trailed 5-10 at this juncture. There was some confusion whether the conversion was successful because the Trinity camp was absolutely sure that it was. If the try was converted Trinity would have drawn level at 7 each. Then came Trinity winger Wijesinghe’s try to draw level at 10 each. Thammanegam missed a penalty for S. Thomas’ and on the wake of it came winger (No 21) Razmi Ramzeen try which turned the game in Trinity’s favour.