Brian Thomas Reporting exclusively for SriLanka sports.com Edited by Christopher Jordashe.
St Peters were put to the grind by the DONS, but they will have to sort out a lack of concentration in ball handling, and most importantly need to contest the line outs in their own danger zone, by giving the opposition a free flow that almost cost them a spot in the cup segment this year.
The DONS broke loose to use their forwards, creating phases after phases without finishing but a lack of self-belief in the first half cost them dearly.
Both St Peters and DS turned defence into attack with the score on dead lock up until the 17th minute when the Bamba brigade got their act right at last , through an unforced error by DS , that gave the home team a
loose head scrum 10 meters away from the DS white wash.
The Peterites used their three quarter line in motion, then spread the ball to their forwards to score their first try with a well organised pick and drive move for Arcan Farook to touch down close to the uprights but the conversion went astray.
St Peters 05 DON 00
The Don’s faced unnecessary defence work by losing territory, with poor ball handling in some crucial moments. In the 22nd minute the DONS gave in and St Peters played the percentage game, yet again the pick and drive force by the forwards with Revon Perera the Peterite forward touching down on the left flank.
Rajith Geon thumping the conversion for the home team to extend their lead by 12 points to nil.
Then came the Peterites span of open rugby , fly half Jamal Wahab , made use of a hands-on ground infringement penalty by a DS forward in the ruck , the Peterites took a quick penalty tap and Jamal Wahab sold multiple dummys to score under the post , whilst the DS defenders were virtually flat-footed and the defending champions extended their lead to 19 points to bite lemons with less pressure.
The turnaround saw a different script in DONS body language. They created almost 15 phases as panic buttons were pressed by Peterites’ defence, with DONS doing an excellent display of the rolling maul off a line out that St Peters failed to contest , hence deficit read St Peters 19 DONS 5.
The Peterites then woke up from their slumber and saw some individual brilliance from the Peterites full back,who got past the defence of the DONS.. Peters regained possession due to a handling error by the DS full back, who unfortunately had his hands touch the ball that gave the home team a line out from the visitors white wash.
At last a rolling maul worked for the Peterites for Shenuka Perera to score by the corner flag , as St Peters felt done and dusted with a 24 points to 5 lead.
With 15 minutes of play left complacency, crept into the Bamba brigades , the crowd support in home conditions also contributing to their flurry of penalties and intent of playing the ball from an off side position which helped DS to cross over for their second try that was converted whilst the score read 24 St Peters 12 DS.
With just 5 minutes on the clock, the Peterites were pushed back yet again defending phase after phase. The DS determination earned them their 3rd try , as the referee blew full time with the final score.Peters 24 DONS 17
The big question was the defending champions saved by the bell ? If ten minutes more was left on the referees clock , the answer will be affirmative.DS proved they have the potential to topple any good top tier side in the near future.
Be the first to comment