Sports - Wesley too good for Ananda

Wesley too good for Ananda

Wesley 34 Ananda 16

By Bernie Wijesekera

Amid dull and dreary conditions, Wesley playing their last group ‘A’ match after leading 22-8 at the turn around registered a hard-fought win over a gritty Ananda outfit by 34 points ( 2 goals, 4 tries) to 16 ( 2 tries and 2 drop goals) at Longden Place last evening.

With this empathic win Wesley are placed third in the table, behind St. Peter’s and Kingswood. The Campbell Park School was riding a crest of a wave of success in their recent games.

Ananda taking the field as under dogs fought a relentless battle. Quite often Ananda breached Wesley’s defence but lacked finish to convert them into points.

The score line was no indication. Ananda were beaten. But in no way were they disgraced. The showpiece of the match was Ananda’s roving fly-half Mangala Amith. He was the play maker and fired two spectacular drop goals, one of them being dropped from 40 yards out. Ironically Ananda hadn’t a game plan. Ananda’s Sri Lanka Youth No. 8 Gayan Fernando played his heart out.

To their credit Wesley played to a better plan to maintain their winning streak. Their first try was scored in the 3rd minute off a penalty. A corner flag unconverted try by fullback Yasas Nonis.

Ananda hit back in the 9th minute playing advantage off a penalty in the 25. Second-rower Udara Suriyapperuma barged over for an unconverted try 5- all. Ananda went further ahead with a beautiful drop goal by Amith 8-5 Nonis scored the second try for Wesley 10-8. Fly half 3rd try by Denis Amal scored. Mid right Samantha Lakshan added the extra points 17-8.

Denis Amal scored again before the short-whistle to make it 22-8.

With clouds covering the venue Ananda scored again through a drop goal 22-11. Wesley scored their 5th try though Dillshan Devananda 27-11 and their sixth through Lahiru, S. Lakshan added the extra points 34-11 just before the long whistle.

In the dying stages Ananda scored again through Sandun Ananda which went unconverted, when Referee Orville Fernando blew no side 34-16.

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