Peterites in stunning 15-10 win over Trinity

Lions suffer their first defeat:

S.M. Jiffrey Abdeen Kandy Sports Correspondent

St. Peter’s College, Bambalapitiya inflicted on the unbeaten Trinity College their first defeat when they beat them by 15 points (1 goal, 1 try, 1 penalty) to 10 (2 tries) in their Schools Singer Shield Division One Group ‘A’ rugby tournament match played at Trinity College Rugby Stadium at Pallekelle yesterday. At half time the Peterites led 10-5.

Trinity College went into this match without their No. 8 Rasmy Ramzeen following the death of his father yesterday and the funeral took place yesterday.

Trinity’s performance yesterday was disappointing as they lacked the punch and killer instinct. In short their display was woeful, just the way they scraped through to a single point (25-24) win over the lowly placed Antonians. This time they lost to the Peterites in their own den. One wonders whether they peaked early and now on the verge of getting stale.

The game started with the Peterites making their intentions clear and getting into an early lead. In the 5th minute, the Peterites forwards drove powerfully and with purpose which resulted in flanker Ruwan Damith falling over for a fine try. Fly half Harsha Weerakoddy added the extra points to put the Saints ahead leading 7-0.

Eight minutes later Trinity’s ‘line’ was spotted off side and Harsha Weerakoddy put over the 30 metre penalty which was awarded and the Peterites were leading 10-0 with the game barely 13 minutes old.

At this stage Lions felt the game was slipping away and they were in danger of not only losing their unbeaten tag but also will be bearded in their own den at Pallekelle. They staged a strong fight back but it was in patches with the Peterites holding them back.

It was in the 25th minute the Lions were able to penetrate their opponents defence when their hooker Damith Dissanayake sneaked over for a fine try mid left. But prop Mohamed Reyazi failed to add the extra points. The Peterites lead had been reduced to 10-5.

In the 2nd minute of the second half the Peterites had a chance of increasing, their lead as the Trinity ‘line’ was again spotted off side but fly half Harsha Weerakoddy fluffed the penalty kick at goal.

But Trinity struck back to equalise in the 6th minute when centre Shannon Armstrong gave the finishing touches to a three quarter move. But prop Mohamed Reyazi’s kick at goal was off target. The scores stood level at 10 all.

But in the minute which followed Trinitians put up an off colour performance both in the scrums and line outs which denied them of valuable possession and also the chance of forging ahead of their opponents.

The match winning try came in the 20th minute when Peterite fly half Harsha Weerakoddy collected a pass from the quarters and sliced his way to score but failed to add the extra points to make it 15-10.

Dilroy Fernando refereed.