Wesley College defeated the much fancied Thomian outfit 23 points (4T, 1P) to 19 (3T, 2C) this evening at Longdon Place. At half time it was the Thomians who led 19 points to 13 but a remarkable second half by the Double blues ensured that they regained the Sir Oliver Goonetilleke shield.

Hans Walpola started the game off for the Thomians under overcast conditions. Straight away from kick off S.Thomas’ were awarded a penalty. Dion Dias found valuable yards with his kick and they formed a rolling maul. Wesley defense managed to stop the rolling maul but could stop Adheesha Handunpathirana from touching down for the first try. Dias missed the difficult conversion. (WC 00-05 STC)

Both teams got valuable opportunities to score but they missed to add the finishing touches for those attacks. Avishka Lee bisected the uprights to add an easy penalty which was awarded when the Thomian forwards were deemed offside by the referee. Soon after the penalty, Thomian full back Mayon Jayawardena knocked-on near the half way line. Avantha Lee had presence of mind to collect the ball and scamper through the Thomian defense to score for the Double blues as Thomian defense was disorganized, expecting a scrum for the knock forward. Avishka missed the conversion. (WC 08-05 STC)

Thomians were dominant in the first half but the small set back inspired them to score two back to back tries. First try was scored by Sharith Nanayakkara as he found a gap in the Wesley defense when Walpola offloaded it him to score. Dias added the important points. Second try was scored by the skipper Naveen Henakankanamage opened a gap in the Wesley defense and sprinted more than 50 meters to score under post to increase his teams lead. Dias converted his skipper’s try. (WC 08-19 STC)

Wesley College needed a try before half time to stay in the game and their tall flanker Imesh Aponso went over for the double blues through a pick and go just near the try line. Avishka missed the conversion.  (WC 13-19 STC)

Half Time – WC 13 – 19 STC

Wesley came out strong in the second half as they took the momentum into the half time. Their backs looked very dangerous outplaying their opponents in the second half. Wesley College received a penalty near their try line and a quick tap was taken by Avishka Lee making a short pass to the Hooker Zain Dole to touchdown and reduce the deficit to one point. Avishka had the opportunity to put his side to the lead but his kick was not successful. (WC 18-19 STC)

Try of the game was scored by the Wesley full back Mursheed Zubair with superb passing skills on display. Taariq Jurngpathy broke the advantage line offloading to skipper Danister Goonethilake who then drew two defenders and passed to Zubair who passed on to Avantha and got a returned pass and ensured he went over for the double blues. Avishka had horrible day with his place kicking as he missed all four conversions he received. (WC 23-19 STC)

Thomians received a penalty during the 70th minute of the game in a kickable range but they opted to go for touch and formed a rolling maul but Wesley defense were up to the task and prevented them from scoring. In the dying stages of the game again the Thomians received another penalty in kickable range, if they had opted to kick both penalties the result would have been a different one. Wesley showed good defense to hold the Thomians at bay.

Full Time – WC 23 – 19 STC

ThePapare player of the match – Mursheed Zubair (Wesley College)

Post-match, Mursheed shared his view about his team’s victory

“It was really good after a long time we beat S.Thomas’ College and shield is back with us and I feel very happy about our performance today”

The score breakdown

Wesley College (13) 23

Tries : Avantha Lee, Imesh Aponso, Zain Dole, Mursheed Zubair

Penalties : Avishka Lee

S.Thomas’ College (19) 19

Tries : Adheesha Handunpathirana, Sharith Nanayakkara, Naveen Henakankanamage

Conversion : Dion Dias (2)

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