CHRIS DHAMBARAGE
COLOMBO – S. Thomas’ College survived a fierce late rally from Wesley College before recording an exciting 19-13 victory in their Inter-Schools Under-19 Division One Segment ‘A’ Group 1A fixture played at Mount Lavinia.
The Thomians also had the satisfaction of regaining the Sir Oliver Goonetilleke Memorial Shield after a lapse of six years having last defeated the Wesleyites at the same venue in 2016.
S. Thomas’ have now won the Shield on three occasions and Wesley have emerged victorious twice while the match did not take place in 2018, 2020, 2021 and 2022.
The Thomians rallied around magnificently and collected their points from two tries and three penalties after leading 11-7 at half time while Wesley responded with one goal and two penalties.
Even then, the match took a dramatic turnaround shortly after the break as Wesley came back strongly to reduce the margin to just a solitary point (13-14) following two back-to-back penalties by Abdul Haadhi.
However, Wesley just could not make use of the opportunities that came their way as they were handed a yellow card and the Thomians grabbed the chances to score a decisive try through Mohamed Hakeem in the 63rd minute.
Yehan Bulathsinghalage missed the conversion, but the home side held their nerves during the last few minutes of the game before recording a memorable win in the end.
Earlier, Bulathsinghalage put the Thomians in front with a couple of neat penalties and helped his team to gain a valuable territorial advantage with his booming kicks to touch.
S. Thomas’ scored their first try a few minutes later, with D. A. Senaratne going over the whitewash before Chamod Nimsara brought Wesley back into the game with a beautiful try moments before the short whistle.
S. Thomas’ will now face the defending champions Isipathana College next week while Wesley will take on St. Joseph’s in their second outing for the current season.