CHRIS DHAMBARAGE
COLOMBO – Vidyartha College survived a spirited performance from a fighting Science College outfit to register a thrilling 26-19 victory in their Inter-Schools Under-19 Division One Segment ‘A’ Group 2A match played at the Bogambara Stadium in Kandy.
Vidyartha, who led 14-12 at half time, were made to fight all the way until the final whistle as they eventually scampered home while collecting their points from three goals and one try with Science College scoring two goals and one try.
In fact, Vidyartha were under tremendous pressure and were trailing 14-19 going into the last 10 minutes of play before dynamic centre three quarter Gayan Perera sealed the contest for the home side by scoring two splendid tries.
Science College simply wasted all their hard work by conceding a yellow card at a vital stage of the game and Vidyartha quickly pounced on the opportunity to take advantage of the extra player on the field as Perera dashed through to score giving Rusith Sarathkumara an easy conversion.
With this try, Vidyartha managed to snatch the lead back again 21-19 and they never looked back as Perera went on to touch down once again and virtually sealed the game in their favour.
Earlier, Vidyartha had a good start to the match as they drew first blood as early as in the third minute of play with flanker Ishara Kumara going over the whitewash after they had forced a series of penalties inside their opponent’s territory.
Deshan Balasuriya added the extra points and Vidyartha were well underway towards recording a comfortable victory.
However, Science College had different ideas as they showed their intensity to get on with the game with some smart work from Ashen Jayaranjana and Anuradha Lakshan producing the first try for the lads from Mount Lavinia.
Oshada Perera missed the conversion and that allowed Vidyartha to remain on top by a close two-point margin (7-5).
Inspired by this early success, Science College worked their way towards the Vidyartha goal-line with determination and they opted for the rolling maul after having earned a series of penalties.
Vidyartha also conceded a yellow card at this stage, and they immediately paid the price when Ashen Ekanayake went over the whitewash with the entire pack supporting him.
Perera made no mistake with the conversion and Science College led 12-7 at that stage. Thereafter, Vidyartha gained some momentum and staged a good comeback which resulted in another try from Kumara.
Balasuriya was on target with the conversion and Vidyartha went into half time with a slender 14-12 advantage.