St. Peter’s blew Thurstan off the park with a display of fast-running rugby, courtesy of their pacey three-quarters, as they cruised to a 51-8 victory, in their Inter-School Under-19 President’s Trophy Knockout pre-quarterfinal at Royal Sports Complex last evening (27).
The Petes–last year’s President’s Trophy runners-up, ran down nine tries of which three were converted, as they warmed up in fine fashion for the last eight phase of the competition, against a disjointed Thurstan outfit.
The 2024 League champions St. Peter’s overall game was not without mistakes, as their over eagerness to punch gaping holes in the opposition defence sometimes resulted in them missing out on a few more scores.
However, they were never in danger of conceding the game from kickoff to full time, as Vishenka Silva’s team booked their quartefinal place against Zahira next weekend sans undue bother.
For the ‘Bamba Brigade’, the trio of skipper and full back Vishenka Silva, left wing Divanka Jayaratne, outside centre Neshan Manthusha collected a brace of tries each.
Inside centre Pramuth Theekshana, number eight Shenuka Perera and substitute fly half Emith Jayaweera also dotted down for the winners.
For Thurstan prop, Dilshan Rishmina scored their sole five-pointer in the 53rd minute, while left wing Akash Kumara nailed a 30-metre penalty goal in the 13th minute.
It was a game where Thurstan were not at the races to their formidable rivals from Colombo 4, who led 34-3 at the interval and added a further 17 to its tally, having to a certain extent taken their foot off the gas in the second half.
For the Peterites, left wing Jayaratne and outside centre Manthusha twice each and Theekshana scored the tries in the first half, while Perera, captain Silva twice and Jayaweera crossed over in the second stanza.
Royal pip Kingswood 28-24
In another President’s Trophy pre-quarterfinal fixture played at CR and FC grounds, Royal came from behind to edge Kingswood 28-24 yesterday.
The winners scored from four converted tries to which Kingswood responded with four tries of which two were converted.
By virtue of this win Royal qualified to face D.S. Senanayake in the quartefinals at Havelock Park, with Isipathana taking on Wesley in the other fixture at Royal Sports Complex, with both games to be played on Sunday (4 May).
St. Peter’s who thumped Thurstan are set to tackle Zahira in the quarterfinal at Royal Sports Complex, while Trinity who hammered St. Anthony’s College, Kandy (SACK) yesterday are scheduled to face S. Thomas’ College (STC) in their quarterfinal clash at Longden Place, with both matches to take place on Saturday (3 May).
(JK)