Wesley storm past Kingswood to retain Blaze Trophy
Dialog School League runners-up Wesley College stormed to a commanding 46-10 win over Kingswood College to retain the prestigious L.E. Blaze Trophy in their 39th annual rugby encounter, played under lights for the first time at Longden Place last evening. The Wesleyites were in full control, leading 26-3 at half-time before sealing victory with an eight-try blitz to claim their fourth straight win in the Blaze Trophy series.
Wesley’s powerhouse centre Danush Dassanayake opened the scoring in the 14th minute, crashing over for the first try which fullback Abdul Haadhi converted for a 7-0 lead. Kingswood replied two minutes later when fullback Rivin Bawdeen slotted over a drop goal to reduce the gap to 7-3.
Wesley winger Prarthana Rodrigo goes for a try - Pic by Eshan Fernando
Despite being reduced to 14 men after hooker Rahul was sin-binned, Wesley tightened their grip. Dassanayake powered through again for his second try in the 25th minute, with Haadhi converting to make it 14-3. Soon after, winger Prarthana Rodrigo dazzled with a brilliant solo run to score Wesley’s third try, Haadhi adding the extras for a 19-3 cushion. Rodrigo struck again in the 33rd minute with an unconverted try to stretch the lead to 26-3 at the break.
In the second half, Wesley pressed harder. Lock Pawan Thiranagama touched down in the 43rd minute, though Haadhi missed the conversion (31-3). Kingswood finally crossed the whitewash when winger Sachintha Naveesha dived over, with Bawdeen converting to bring the tally to 10-31.
But Wesley had the final say. Lock Hamdan Shafraz powered over in the 53rd minute, followed by another sweeping move finished by their winger six minutes later, both unconverted. Replacement scrumhalf Shafran Wadood sealed the rout with a try in the 64th minute. Skipper and No.8 Sandul Gammanpila attempted the conversion but was off target, leaving the final score 46-10.