St. Peter’s saunter into knockout semis

By Sandun Kodithuwakku

St. Peter’s College Bambalapitiya qualified for the semi-final of the Milo President’s Trophy Knockout rugby tournament when they came up with a stupendous performance to score a majestic 39 points to 12 win over St. Anthony’s College Kandy at the Royal Sports Complex yesterday. 

The Peterites who held a 19-00 half-time lead scored three goals, three tries and a penalty in their final tally with the Anthonians scoring a goal and a try. 

St. Peter’s played to a well-mapped out gameplan and six minutes into the game Centre Dilshan Madushanka made a break and ran round to score the first try for the Peterites with Fullback Shehan Liyanapathirana converting it. 

Liyanapathirana then scored his team’s second try but could not convert it. 

In the last minute of the first half St. Peter’s Centre Dilshan Madusanka scored another five points with Liyanapathirana successfully putting over the conversion to give his a 19-00 lead.

Five minute after into the second half Anthonian Scrum-half Sohail Waseem scored his team’s first try but the conversion was missed by Fullback Chamod Wanasinghe.

St. Peter’s added to their lead in the 45th minute when their reliable place kicker Liyanapathirana put over a fantastic 38-metre penalty to make the score 22-05 in his team’s favour.

The Peterites added to their lead with a brace of tries from Sunera Fernando, within the space of 10 minutes, but one of the conversions being missed. 

St. Anthony’s then scored what amounted to a consolation try in the 60th minute with Wanasinghe successfully converting it. 

The Peterite Flyhalf  Kenneth Wimaladasa burst thorough to score the final try of the game, giving St. Peter’s a 25-point victory margin.