Kingswood almost got back to winning ways, but could not weather that last-minute assault that has become a trade-mark of Vidyartha’s play and succumbed by 17 points (1 Goal, 2 Tries) to 20 (1 Goal, 2 Tries, 1 Penalty) at Nittawela last evening.
Kingswood has good reason to feel aggrieved. Leading 17-8 early in the early in the second half, another scoring effort (preferably a try) would have put the issue beyond doubt. But that never materialized. They were desperately unlucky not to score on one occasion but then they had the game snatched from under their noses, as it were.
Vidyartha’s line worked well and the handling was good. Yet the ball seldom went down the line. Talwatte and Kavindu Perera cut through on a few occasions but the cover defense saved Kingswood.
Jason Dissanaike was in the thick of things, scheming all the while. But the rugged defense work spoilt his efforts on many an occasion.
Vidyartha were first on the board after 14 minutes, when a good side-stepping run took play into the Kingswood twenty two. After a few failed attempts at breaking through centre Kavindu Perera finally succeeded (5-0).
Kingswood’s reply wasn’t long in coming. A Vidyartha clearance from the in goal area was seized on and centre Chatura Piyasena was sent on his way.
A superb solo-effort from Dinushan Ariyapala, who picked up from the half line, shrugged off a couple of tacklers and then outpaced a few defenders, saw Kingswood go into a 12-5 lead.
Chamath Fernando’s penalty saw Vidyartha cut the deficit to 12-8 at lemons. The momentum at this stage was clearly with the losers and they were looking for the clincher.
Vidyartha’s backs, good though they were, lost vital seconds by their indecision, especially in sight of the line. Kingswood increased their lead with a try from number eight Uvin Ariyaratne who had a superb game. A powerful thirty yard run, the tackle ten yards short of the line and then Ariyaratne was on hand to fight his way over the last few yards.
In the 29th minute Vidyartha took a short tap a few yards out. The Kingswood defense hadn’t quite regrouped and Jason Dissanaike sneaked through to score mid left (17-13).
With around five minutes of play left, fly half Ashan Bandara sent the Vidyartha supporters delirious with joy with a dandy try scoring effort. The sitter was converted by skipper Dissanaike.
There was no time for a Kingswood comeback. It is hard to take, but this is their third loss in four matches.
Vidyartha keeps afloat. They have a tough assignment against Trinity next Saturday and that should give a pointer to their final standing.
Referee Dimitra Suriyarachchi. |
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