Sports

Sports

Kingswood out to retain President's Trophy
By Shamseer Jaleel
The inter-schools President's trophy rugby championship kicked off in grand style in Colombo and Kandy. In the opening encounter Kingswood had an easy outing when they outclassed their home town rivals St Sylvester's College 30-7 to book a place in one of the Semi finals against St Anthony's College Kandy.

With two Kandy schools locking horns in the semi finals the final will be worked off in Kandy for the first time, as one of the Kandy schools will be in the finals. Kingswood who are the defending champions who beat St Thomas College last year is the hot favourates to retain the trophy once again. Ronnie Ibrahim who has done a yeoman services to the school though not highlighted in the press, coaches the school, which introduced rugby to the country. They are led by national player Fazil Marija.

Meanwhile the Antonians had a good 17-0 win over the Thomians in Colombo. The lads from Katugastota collected their points from one goal and two tries having led 12-0 at the short breather.

This was one of the best victories as they went down to the same opponent in the league only a week ago 10-22. Their forwards and three-quarters clicked well and their tackling was high class. In another exciting quarter finals match Ananda edged out the "Green Shirts" 18-16 with Nadeesha Chathuranga being the match winner for the Maradana school. The ever-reliable place kicker Chaturanga who gave an excellent exhibition of place kicking scored all points for Ananda. At the short breather Ananda led 12-3.

Wesley registered a hard fought 18-14 win over the "B" division league champions St Joseph's College. Joes who led 14-13 until the last minute saw a dashing try by Wesley College winger Niranjan Wickramaratne who crashed through by the right corner flag for the match winning try. With this win Wesley will meet Ananda in one of the semi finals.

Top