Petes’ presence in rugby was overwhelming this season!
By A Special Sports Correspondent
The schoolboy rugby players of St. Peter’s College proved beyond any doubt that they can handle pressure in the sport of rugby. This they did for the last time this season when they got the better of Isipatana in the Dialog sponsored inter-school under 19 rugby final played at Sugathadasa Stadium on September 10.
The Peterites were never rattled by the rough house tactics adopted by the Green Shirts from the time the two lined up in the ‘tunnel’ and then when the game began on the pitch minutes later. The lads from Bambalapitiya showed that when you are focused on the game you don’t have time or the necessity to indulge in activities that challenge the spirit of the game.
When the two teams met at Bambalapitiya in the league decider, hosted by St. Peter’s, the host team employed a riot squad apart from the services obtained by the police as measures taken for crowd control. The decision to strengthen security at the match in the league was done for obvious reasons. The knockout final was organised by the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association and there were concerns about security at the match. But all that depends on what happens in the middle of the pitch and referee Raveen Alexander must be given pat on the back for a job well done. The Greens Shirts were warned for unwanted play in the early minutes of the game following a complaint by the Peterite players for biting by the opposition and then the witnessing of feet up in a maul situation; another offense by Isipatana.
St. Peter’s responded to Isipatana’s aggression with three smashing tries with the first one scored by Sudesh Jayawickreme standing out. Jayawickreme’s try under the posts deflated the spirit in the Isipaana camp mainly because it was scored with the message given that ‘more high octane stuff’ was to come.
Hooker and utility player Dulaj Nawodya quickly exposed a defence that was cracking 18 minutes into the game and scored the second try in clinical fashion. The third try in the first half came through the efforts of Dineth Ranasinghe and by the 21st minute of the game St. Peter’s, leading 19-3, were giving the ‘Green Shirts’ lessons on how to play in a rugby final.
Isipatana must be given the credit for being a side that doesn’t surrender that easily. They knew they were up against an opposition mightier than them and when they settled in towards the tail end of the first half, they managed to breach the Peterite defence and score their first try in the game. Skipper Navin Kanishka scored that all important try and made the scoreboard look respectable from an Isipatana point of view.
The second half was evenly contested and Isipatana came back strongly with a try by their forwards. The rains threatened to slow the game and there was no help from the soggy pitch conditions for both teams. But the will to run the ball by both teams prevailed over the odds that threatened to spoil a much looked forward to schools rugby final.
Place kicker Yumeth Shihara was decently accurate with his spot kicks and booted through two penalties to swell the Peterite score in the second half. The only little hitch up that the Peterites had was the two yellow cards that were given away in the second half; one by the team’s skipper Ashain Madugasge. The Peterites playing twice in the second half with 14 men and not losing the game rubbed salt into Isipatana’s wounds. The only consolation Isipatana had this season was bagging the Sevens title. They were forced to finish as runners-up in the knockout and took third place in the league tournament.
St. Peter’s have much to owe coach Martis. The winning ways he has instilled in the St. Peter’s rugby set-up cannot be priced. To study the facial features of this coach, come to a decision and announce to the rugby world that behind his face lies a vicious and dangerous man would be a grave mistake. Few have observed a tender heart, the warmth of a
father to all and the rugby professionalism that runs in his blood to the very core. This man knows his rugby and when he gets players who are willing and able that combination can be dangerous on the field as shown this season by St. Peter’s.
Mention must be made of the Christian institution that St. Peter’s is and the way the authorities here mold the students and instill good values that can be shown when they represent their alma mater on the sporting field. Prayers said before the game starts and done on the field have sometimes posed the question from outsiders whether the authorities at this institute are making a show of religion in public. Prayers have done good for the boys and sparing a thought for the ‘All Mighty’ before a challenge in the sporting field has not only calmed the player’s nerves, but also driven the thought into them of fearing doing wrong and not the opposite team.
