CHRIS DHAMBARAGE
COLOMBO – Skipper Jayathu Rajarathna scored a hat-trick of tries as D. S. Senanayake College recorded a smashing 29-20 victory over Wesley College in their Inter-Schools Under-19 Division One League Rugby Tournament match played at the Royal Sports Complex in Colombo.
The dynamic centre three quarter was in tremendous form as he crossed the whitewash in the 22nd, 29th and on the stroke of full time to hand D. S. Senanayake their second successive victory of the tournament.
The newcomers to ‘A’ Division rugby, took a 12-3 lead at half time and went on to collect their points from two goals and three tries, giving them a bonus-point win while the Wesleyites responded with one goal, two tries and one penalty.
Even then, Rajarathna’s third try was the moment that completely changed the complexion of the game as until then they were under pressure with just two points separating the two teams.
With the game heading towards the climax, the D. S. Senanayake forwards managed to win a crucial line-out in midfield and they quickly worked the line to cause panic in the Wesley defence.
Rajarathna was into the act, and he responded magnificently by slicing through a tired Wesley defence and to touch down under the post, giving fly half Sehada Umagiliyage an easy conversion.
Earlier, Rajarathna opened the scoring for D. S. Senanayake following a good pass from the scrum half Manura Peiris after Wesley had drawn first blood through a 25-metre penalty by Darrien de Zilva in the 16th minute of play.
Rajarathna then found another huge opening in the Wesley defence as he produced a superb 25 metre dash and executed a smart up and under before touching down near the corner flag.
D. S. Senanayake launched a massive attack on the Wesley defence immediately after the break and after nearly 10 to 12 paces, Peiris finally managed to scrape through and touch down for their third try.
Wesley scored their first try in the 42nd minute when Senura Peiris went over near the corner flag after having collected a long pass from the ensuing maul.
Prop forward Sabeeth Musheen scored Wesley’s second try from a short tap and De Zilva added the extra points to make it 15-17.
However, D. S. Senanayake once again extended their lead with a beautiful try from Umagaliyage before Wesley produced a splendid rolling maul to touch down for their third try
