President’s Trophy K/O Rugby Tourney Nizran dazzles as Petes cruise into semis

By M. Shamil Amit

Prop forward Nizran Nilar dazzled with a hat-trick of tries as St. Peter’s College completely outclassed Kingswood College by 53 points to 12 points in their President’s Trophy Knock-Out Inter-Schools Rugby Tournament fourth quarter-final match played at the Royal College Sports Complex in Reid Avenue yesterday.

The Peterites after having taken a commanding 25-12 lead at the breather went on the rampage in the second half to end the game scoring five goals, three tries and a penalty to a goal and a try scored by Kingswood.

The Peterites after having taken a commanding 25-12 lead at the breather went on the rampage in the second half to end the game scoring five goals, three tries and a penalty to a goal and a try scored by Kingswood

The Peterites planted three tries within a space of five minutes. They opened scoring in the fourth minute through an unconverted try by Nilar.

Two minutes later centre three quarter Shenol Silva scored another try and full back Thenuka Nanayakkara added the extra points.

Winger Senuk Perera went over for an unconverted try in the ninth minute.

However, Kingswood who won the Plate Championship this season, managed to reduce the deficit in the 25th minute through a try scored by Dinal Ekanayake which was converted by Nethmina Sampath.

But that was short-lived as the Peterites bounced back four minutes later from an unconverted try scored by Nilar. 

Kingswood managed to decrease their opponents lead once again off an unconverted try scored by Ekanayake before their opponents booted over a penalty just before the short whistle.
In the second half, the Peterites were in full control as Nilar went over for his third try in the 10th minute and Thenuka Nanayakkara made no mistake with the conversion.
From thereon it was a rain of tries coming from the Peterites as they added three more tries to their tally.  First it was Thenuka Nanayakkara which was followed by Skipper Bilal Hilmy and Shuhail Fernando. 

Thenuka and Shuhail made a conversion each to give the Peterites a runaway victory and to advance to the semi-finals.

Referee: Aaqil Jamaldeen