Thurstan down Thomians, Sumangala shock DSS

Sri Sumangala College’s Harshitha Heshan Amerasinghe races past the DS Senananayake defence in their inter school league rugby match at Ratmalana yesterday (Pic: Nimalsiri Edirisinghe)

By M. Shamil Amit

Thurstan College and Sri Sumangala College Kandy produced sterling performances in their first Dialog Schools Rugby League tournament as they hit the daylights out of fancied teams S. Thomas’ College and D.S. Senanayake College in the matches played at the Air Force ground at Ratmalana and Havelock Park yesterday.

Thurstan gave the Thomians some torrid moments from the kick off as they dominated proceedings while taking a 15-10 lead at half time to end with a 27-24 victory.

Thurstan made up their points through a goal and four tries to the two goals and two tries scored by the Tmonians.

Thurstan surprised their opponents to go into the lead by planting back to back tries and increased the lead with another unconverted try before the Thomians managed to breach the defense with two unconverted tries. 

The second half too was closely contested but Thurstan again surprised by going over for the first try in the session to lead 20-10.

The Thomains struck back and succeeded to post back to back tries and with both the conversions being booted took the lead 24-20.

Thurstan undeterred came back with a vengeance and succeeded with a try in the dying stages and with the conversion booted over to romp home winners 27-24.

Sri Sumangala win 28-26
Sri Sumangala pulled off a close win by 28 points to 26 in the match played at Havelock Park having taken a 21-14 at the breather and had their points from four goals against three goals and a try scored by DSS.

The game was much in favor of DSS while Sri Sumangala came in as the underdogs. But the Sumangalians showed that dedication and determination could make things possible.

It was DSS who scored a try first which was converted but Sri Sumangala struck back by scoring two tries within the space of ten minutes to go into the lead 14-7.

DSS made it equal with a try that was converted but Sri Sumangala succeeded to go past to lead 21-14 at the breather.

On resumption it was DSS who made the first scoring again from an unconverted try but Sri Sumangala counter attacked to score and take over the lead 28-19. DSS in a do die effort succeeded with a try that was converted but that was not sufficient to prevent Sri Sumangala coming out winners 28-26.

Joes down Ananda
St Joseph’s College recorded a comfortable 41 points to 19 win over Ananda College in another match of the same tournament played at Rajagiriya.

The Josephians, having led 17-12 at lemons, made up their points form four goals, two tries and a penalty to Ananda’s two goals and a try.