S. Thomas’ down Isipathana to retain School 7’s title

By M. Shamil Amit

In a repeat of last year's Singer U20 Schools Rugby 7’s final, S. Thomas’ College beat Isipathana College 19 points to 14 in the Cup final yesterday to retain the title for yet another year.

The Thomians, having taken a 14-07 lead at the breather, accumulated their points through two goals and a try to the two goals scored by the Pathanians.

Two tries within the space of five minutes by the Thomians, the first by Dion Dias and the other by Mayon Jayawardena which Dion converted, put the pressure on the Pathanians who managed to decrease the deficit through a try by Chamodh Fernando who converted it himself.

The second half saw the two teams sharing honours before Thomian skipper Naveen Henakankanamage helped surge ahead with an unconverted try. Later an unconverted try scored in the dying stages of the game by Nadeesha Chaminda was insufficient for Isipathana to deny the Thomians from clinching the title for the second successive year. In the process Isipathana had to play second fiddle for the third time this season having earlier taken the second slot in the league and knockout tournaments.

Meanwhile, St Peter’s College overcame Science College 24-10 to take the Plate title while St Joseph’s College got the better of Wesley College 26-14 for the Bowl title and Piliyandala Central bagged the Shield title with a 19-14 win over Moratu MV.

Thomian skipper Naveen Henakankanamage was adjudged the most outstanding player of the tournament.

Results:
Quarter Finals:
Shield – St. Aloysius Galle beat Richmond 14-10; Piliyandala Central walk over. St Sylvester’s beat CWW Kannangara MMV 21-14; Moratu MV received walk over.
Bowl – St. Joseph’s beat Mahanama 46-00: Vidyartha beat Thurstan 40-12; Wesley beat Dharmaraja 19-14. Zahira beat Lumbini MV 29-10.
Cup – S. Thomas’ beat St. Peter’s 17-12. Trinity beat Royal 19-10; Kingswood beat Science 14-10; Isipathana beat St. Anthony’s 24-19.
Semi Finals:
Shield – Piliyandala Central beat St Aloysius Galle 12-07; Moratu MV beat St Sylvester’s 36-7.
Bowl – St. Joseph’s beat Vidyartha 41-5; Wesley beat Zahira 7-0.
Plate – St Peter’s beat Royal 19-7; Science beat St Anthony’s 19-10.
Cup – S. Thomas’ beat Trinity 21-14; Isipathana beat Kingswood 19-14.
Finals:
Shield – Piliyandala Central beat Moratu MV 19-14.
Bowl – St. Joseph’s beat Wesley 26-14.
Plate – St. Peter’s beat Science 24-10.
Cup – St. Joseph’s beat Isipathana 19-14.