Peterites pocket U16 rugby title in the dark

St. Peter’s College won the schools under 16 twelve-a-side rugby final in the dark by beating Royal College at the Bogambara Stadium on Sunday.

The final kicked off past 6 pm, and in the first half St. Peter’s were able to score a goal. In the second half play was possible only for three minutes and Peterites were able to score a try and increase their tally to 12-0.

This final had to be called off in the third minute of the second half due to bad light, according to Schools Association rugby secretary Denzil Darling. Both teams had before the match agreed to the conditions that in the event of the match being stopped due to bad light the winner will be the team that is leading on points. In this instance the Peterites who were the only team to score were awarded the title.

The event ran for two days at the Nittawela and Bogambara Stadiums. Originally they were to play the first day matches at Pallekelle and Bogamabara, but in the eleventh hour they changed it to Nittawela.

The tournament was organized by the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association and sponsored by Nestle and featured some of the best under 16 rugby players from the country.

Overall 384 young schoolboys from 32 schools were seen in action. Originally 34 schools were to participate but two schools from Malate and from Moratuwa pulled out.

The tournament has been held annually since 1995 and is one of the largest annual rugby competitions amongst schools, drawing large crowds.

Cup

(Quarterfinals): St. Peter’s beat St. Anthony’s, Trinity beat Kingswood, Royal beat Wesley and Science beat Isipathana; (Semi-finals): St. Peter’s beat Trinity and Royal beat Science.

Plate

In the Plate final Kingswood College defeated Wesley College 14-12. Both teams dished out a superb game of rugby, and the winning team saved their best for the last. In the semi-finals Kingswood beat St. Anthony’s and Wesley beat Isipathana.

Bowl

In the final St. Joseph’s beat D.S. Senanayake 19-5. In semis St. Joseph’s beat Dharmaraja and D.S. Senanayake beat C.W.W. Kannangara MV

Shield

In the Shield final, Ananda beat arch rivals Nalanda 20-nil. In the semi-finals Ananda beat Thurstan and Nalanda beat St. Sylvester’s.