Explosive Science blast Peterites
Science College concocted an explosive chemical equation to annihilate the home team St. Peter’s College by 34-3 in a Cup segment game of the Singer Schools Under-20 League Rugby Tournament played at Bambalapitiya yesterday. In a surprising turn of events Science virtually thrashed the Peterites with a tally of five tries, three conversions and a penalty while conceding a penalty in favour of the hosts.
A penalty under the post put over by the centre Thanuja Maduranga gave Science the early lead but five minutes later a penalty was awarded to the home team and Nishon Perera successfully made the kick to equalize. It was downhill for St. Peter’s from then onwards. They just could not keep up with the well oiled Science machine and failed to convert any of their possession time and effort into tangible points.
In the 20th minute Tharindu Maduranga, the Science winger breezed past the bulky St. Peter’s defense to score the first try of the day. His younger brother, centre Thanuja, who scored nine points off his kicks of the Science tally, added the extra points. The Maduranga brothers had a stellar game and were the driving force behind the Science team’s impressive win. At lemons Science led 10-3.
The Peterites started the second half with 14 players after their No.8 Mark de Silva was thrown in the sin bin due to unwarranted play. Science wasted no time and capitalized on this opportunity and scored a brilliant try in the 44th minute through their winger Sajith de Silva, who expertly slipped past the crumbling St. Peter’s defensive on the far right corner.
The younger Maduranga’s boots successfully added the extra points. This try set up the momentum of the rest of the game and Science continued to pile on the points. Science worked their line beautifully confounding the Peterite defence, despite desperate attempts by the home team. St. Peter’s made constant changes while Science continued to stamp their supremacy.
The eventual winners scored three more tries. Tharindu, the agile winger went over the try line for the second before Supun Dilshan, the crafty fullback scored in the left flank. The second try was converted by Thanuja further crushing St. Peter’s hopes of reviving. The dying stages of the match produced another try by the visitors through their winger Sajith de Silva who celebrated his second try for the day. Priyantha Gunaratne refereed. The chief guest for the match was Frank Hubert.