By A Special Sports Correspondent
St.Peter’s College produced a clinical display of rugby in the decider of the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2023 when they beat Isipathana in the decider by 28 points to 17 at Bambalapitiya on Saturday (August 19).
The win gave the Peterites the league trophy after a long wait of 13 years while up in Kandy on the same day Royal College celebrated finishing as runners-up in the tournament by virtue of winning their final game of the Super Round which was against St. Anthony’s College Katugastota. Royal beat St. Anthony’s 34-14. Isipathana had to be satisfied placed third overall in the points table after Saturday’s defeat; their second in the tournament. St.Anthony’s College Katugastota, easily the most improved side in the tournament, finished fourth.
The game at Bambalapitiya turned out to be a cracker despite St. Peter’s racing to a commanding 15-3 lead in the first half with the game 25 minutes old. Isipathana winger and playmaker Rinesh Silva sliced through the Peterite defence in what seemed a well-compiled attacking move which was fed by teammates Shahid Zumri and Kalindu Silva. Silva booted through the conversion to ensure Isipathana was trailing St. Peter’s only by five points when the two teams went into half time. Petes were leading 15-10 at half time thanks to tries coming from Yumeth Shihara and Dulaj Nawodya; the latter try being confirmed after a consultation with the television match official. The kicks at goal for St. Peter’s were taken by Shihara.
The Peterites stretched their lead with the second half ten minutes old when winger Dineth Ranasinghe powered his way to the try line off a back line move. Shihara slotted in the conversion beautifully to make the score read 20-10 in favour of St. Peter’s.
Three minutes later the game was disrupted when spectators entered the field and sat along the touch lines. But the organizers of the match together with the old boys rugby committees of the two schools did well to control the spectators and ensure play continued.
Isipathana had their second chance of scoring again in the match when Dimiru Rajapaksa touched down after a forwards rush with the second half 17 minutes old. Silva slotted in the conversion and the deficit in the score was now reduced to just three points, but with St. Peter’s still in the lead ( the score reading 20-17).
But the excitement building up in the Isipathana camp was destroyed in brutal fashion when Peterite playmaker Sudesh Jayawickreme punched a hole in the opposite team’s defence with a try which was followed by well-taken penalty by full back Kushan Tharindu before referee Ishanka Abeykoon blew no side.