• Althaf at the double for defending champs 

Trinity College, Kandy despite being beset by indiscipline produced superb game management to record a 36-12 statement win over Isipathana College, Colombo in their Dialog Schools League rugby match at Havelock Park yesterday (24).

The unbeaten defending champions proved they were a cut above the rest of the chasing pack with a performance that featured expansive footy by the outside backs and sterling defensive work by the forwards when reduced to 13 early in the first half.

Overall, the ‘Lions’ endured four yellow cards, but still had the nous to take the fight up to their hosts, who looked bereft of ideas after drawing first blood and duly caved in while losing their unbeaten tag in the process.

Man-of-the-match and halfback Udan Wijekoon was a standout performer for the ‘Lions’ being in the thick of things and feeding the fleeted footed back division with clean ball throughout, as captain Shan Althaf pulled the strings deftly from the last line of defence.

Althaf’s booming ‘Gerry Owens’ caught the Pathana defence napping more often than not and Trinity backs stood to profit as a result.

The winners who led 17-7 at halftime scored from a penalty try, two converted tries and three tries to which the home team responded with a converted try and a try, in a game littered with cards all-round but which underscored the tactical brilliance of the former.

For the visitors, skipper Althaf led the try count with a second-half brace which proved the game changer, while right wing Minula Yaddehige, left wing Dimath Ambepitiya and hooker Rikitha Weragama, also crossed the whitewash to go along with the penalty try. 

It was awarded by referee Ravin Alexander for deliberate collapse of a maul following consultation with the assistant referees and the TMO.

Trinity could well have swelled the score but for the indifferent form off the kicking tee by Althaf, and allied to their ill discipline coach Fazil Marija and his staff will need homework in spades as they look to rumble on in the decisive second round.

For the well beaten green machine who themselves saw three players being sent to the sin bin, fly half Nimantha Sandeepa proved the lone warrior in a losing cause, with a touchdown a piece in both half’s, as they lick their wounds ahead of the super-round in a fortnight.

Kingswood edge Science 25-21

Kingswood College, Kandy posted a close 25-21 victory over Science College, Mount Lavinia in their Dialog Schools League rugby match at Pallekele yesterday.

The winners scored from two converted tries, a try and two penalty goals to which the visitors responded with three converted tries.