Coming off a loss at the hands of the Josephians, the Trinity 1st XV were back to winning ways after they thumped the Science College outfit 50-20 to finish the 1st Round of the Singer Schools Rugby League on a high.
The Trinity 1st XV team for the clash against Science
- Nimesha Ekanayake
- Neranjan Vitharane
- Mahdi Abdullah
- Chethiya Pananwala
- Mecan Yashwanth
- Dulanjith Nethvara
- Dhiren Ratwatte
- Thidas Thanthirige
- Tehan Karunanayake
- Miranga Subasinghe
- Amith Kulathunga
- Tevin Karunanayake
- Harsha Samarasinghe
- Geeshapa Kulathunge
- Reshan Bandaranayake (Captain)
- Shakya Senanayake
- Demian Tennakoon
- Pabasara Munasinghe
- Rahul Dhanaraj
- Lennox Calyanarathne
- Zeyd Faizal
- Koojana Kulathunge
- Janidu Rathnayake
- Minidu Jayasundara
- Mohommed Shuaib
The boys from Mount Lavinia were off to a fine start as they scored the first points of the match with a converted try early on. Trinity replied shortly with a try from Geeshapa Kulathunge who went over for his 6th try of the season. The conversion went astray leaving Science College leading 5-7.
A lovely short pass from Trinity fly half Miranga Subasinghe saw Harsha Samarasinghe going over for a beautiful try. Trinity got the extra 2 as they took the lead for the first time. (12-7)
Trinity put the pressure on the opposition, when they scored their third try through number 8 Thidas Thanthirige. Subasinghe managed to put the kick over from a difficult angle, as TCK led 19-7.
Trinity got another try a few minutes later, when Harsha Samarasinghe stepped his way over the line to touchdown for his 2nd try. The kick went astray leaving as Trinity was in the lead. (24-7)
Science were back on the score sheet as the slotted over a penalty 30m out. (24-10)
Trinity were dominating play, as 2nd row forward Mecan Yashwanth barged his way over the whitewash to extend Trinity’s lead before half time.
Half Time: Trinity 29 (5T,2C) vs Science 10 (1T,1C,1P)
Science College were back in the game soon after half time as they went over for 2 unconverted tries to close the gap to 9 points . (29-20)
But Trinitians denied the Science comeback as it was all one way traffic from then on.
Center Harsha Samarasinghe had his 3rd try of the game as he darted his way to the line. A short while later wing Amith Kulathunge crossed the line as well. (43-20)
Trinity secured their second bonus point of the game when substitute Minidu Jayasundara went over for a try just before the long whistle. (50-20)
Full Time: Trinity 50 (8T,5C) vs Science 20 (3T,1C,1P)
Harsha Samarasinghe who came into the starting 15 had a great game as he scored a hat-trick of tries, making him the Man of the match.
Trinity wing three quarter Geeshapa Kulathunge is currently the ‘Highest Try Scorer’ this season with 6 tries to his name.
The only Rugby Coloursman coming into this season, Lennox Calyanarathne played his first game of the season in this match coming off the bench in the second half.
Junior Matches
The Trinity Juniors had a clean sweep in all age groups, showing what they were capable of by beating the Science Junior teams in great fashion.
The teams now go into a break as the first round of the league comes to a close.
Cup Championship points table
Team standings at the end of the first round are follows:
(This point table image is courtesy of Papare.com . Full league details are available here: Points Table – Schools Rugby League 2019)
Review by Abidh Jameel
