Scrum and Engage with SriLankaSports.com
Script by Brian Thomas | Edited by Christopher Jordashe
The Thomians got their act together in line-out possession—unlike in the previous game against Trinity—but lacked defensive organisation in the first 20 minutes. They came back strongly in the second half.
A lapse in defense at the back end cost them 12 points, and they were guilty of squandering multiple scoring opportunities due to poor decision-making, despite having extra men on the outside with the try line in sight. This has sadly been a recurring feature in most of their games. The ball carrier simply needs to draw and pass.
St. Peter’s 7 – S. Thomas’ 0
St. Thomas’ made a similar mistake to the one they committed against Trinity last week—failing to defend from the outset during the first 20 minutes—and conceded two converted tries to the visitors. The first came as early as the 4th minute and the second in the 20th.
They also committed three unforced errors within the first 10 minutes and gave away two penalties within 13 minutes. Eyebrows were raised in disappointment, with speculation that we might be seeing a replay of last week’s game against a stronger Trinity side.
St. Peter’s 14 – S. Thomas’ 0
Meanwhile, Peterite skipper Visheka Silva returned to his original position as wing three-quarter after previously being tried as a fullback. The position change paid off: he made a hard run after picking up a loose ball from a breakdown and sent fullback Senuk Dinsara under the posts for a converted try. Shockingly, he brushed through three Thomian defenders.
In the 20th minute, St. Thomas’ committed another cardinal error. The Peterite forwards attacked the Thomian fringes, with little defensive resistance, allowing second-row forward Januk Ratnayaka to score a second converted try mid-right, giving the visitors a 14-point lead.
St. Peter’s 14 – S. Thomas’ 7
In the 24th minute, the Thomian forwards woke up from their slumber after conceding 14 dangerous points.
With the help of a three-quarter move from their own territory, the Thomians entered the Peterites’ red zone. Their forwards formed a ruck using a pick-and-drive move, then spread the ball smartly to the three-quarter line. Mayanka Dias formed the overlap, broke through the Peterite defense, and scored mid-right. His reliable left boot reduced the deficit to 7 points.
St. Peter’s 14 – S. Thomas’ 14
When the Thomians are on song, they’re among the most dangerous teams. If they could play consistently with that mindset, they would be at the top. Their body language showed urgency and intensity after their first try.
Skipper Wickramasuriya spread the ball wide to the three-quarters, and the Bamba Brigade’s line defence was broken by Chanuk Eliyagoda, who side-stepped, executed a brilliant show-and-go, and crossed the Peterites’ try line just before halftime. Mayanka Dias added the extras, and the scoreboard read 14-all at the break.
St. Thomas’ 21 – St. Peter’s 14
St. Thomas’ came out firing in the second half, delivering a sterling performance. They attacked relentlessly, showcasing the best of Thomian rugby. After creating multiple phases, they crossed the Peterites’ try line for the third time in the 40th minute, with Mayanka Dias converting once more to give them their first lead.
St. Thomas’ 28 – St. Peter’s 14
Now in full control, the Thomians overwhelmed the Peterite defence. Udan Bulathsinghala, the fly-half, found a gap and sliced through to score a fantastic try near the uprights, capitalising on flat-footed defenders. The conversion took St. Thomas’ to a commanding 28–14 lead—it looked like the game was done and dusted.
In the 56th minute, Peterite ball carrier Revan Perera was red-carded for a deliberate elbow charge. The severity of the foul will likely see him banned for the rest of the tournament.
St. Thomas’ 28 – St. Peter’s 21
However, St. Thomas’ repeated the same mistake they made against Kingswood in Round One. They took the game for granted in the 60th minute, allowing the Peterites to exploit their try line through a pick-and-drive maul. The conversion attempt was charged down and deflected off a Thomian player to the left. That move made the difference—had it been converted, the game could have ended in a draw.
St. Thomas’ 28 – St. Peter’s 26
With just 2 minutes left, the Peterites surprisingly stormed into the Thomians’ red zone. Prop Trevin Herft touched down, but time ran out, and the Thomians were saved by the bell to secure a narrow 28–26 victory.
S. Thomas’ is an excellent team with strong attacking potential, but they tend to lose concentration in patches. This weakness needs urgent attention if they are to stay in contention, with two crucial games remaining.
The Thomians now sit in 3rd place after this match, while the Peterites sadly drop to 6th.
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