Peterites remain unbeaten with 14-7 win over Kingswood

S. M. Jiffrey Abdeen - Kandy Sports Corr.

RUGBY: St. Peter's College, Bambalapitiya took a step closer towards winning the schools Singer Trophy title when they made a remarkable come-back to defeat Kingswood College by 14 points (2 goals) to 7 (1 goal) in a Singer Trophy rugby tournament match played at the Bogambara Stadium in Kandy yesterday. At half-time the Kingswoodians led 7-0.

The Peterites who are unbeaten have one more match to play against Royal College which appear to be a mere formality in retaining the title.

Kingswoodians have to blame themselves for this defeat. They were right on top in the first half, but they were rattled after the lemons through some power play by the Peterites who used their forwards to the optimum and the back division supported them well.

Adding to Kingswood's misery was their star player and highest scorer of tries this season scrum-half Roshan Weeraratne was sent on 'sin bin' for 10 minutes in the first half for stamping an opponent. This upset the Kingswoodians and during his absence a scrum close to Peterites goal-line went waste.

The match was played in muddy conditions due to heavy rain before the match. It was bitterly cold with the temperature dropping low.

Kingswoodians opened scoring in the 13th minute when flanker Gayan Ratnage scored after a forwards rush. Centre Gayan Weeraratne added the extra points. The Kingswoodians held on to this lead till the short break.

After resumption, the Peterites took control of the game through some fine play by their forwards who kept harassing the Kingswood defence almost into submission. The Kingswoodians simply wilted under pressure. The Peterites and the Kingswoodians each missed a penalty from kicking distance.

It was in the 25th minute of the second half that the Peterites opened their scoring when lock forward Thilan Bulner dived over mid-right off a ruck. Centre Harsha Weerakoddy added the extra points to equalise (7-all).

At this stage Kingswood's play-maker Gayan Weeraratne was injured and was forced out of the field. He appeared to be suffering from concussion and the ambulance came into the field to take him for medical attention.

But he limped himself to the bench. Peterites scored their match winning try in the 25th minute when flanker Poornaka Delpachithra picked the ball off a scrum, covered some distance before flinging a pass to full-back Chanaka Gunasekera who dived over by the right corner-flag. Centre Harsha Weerakoddy made a brilliant conversion.

D. Nimal refereed.