Kingswood , far superior in the back division, scored a narrow one point win over Wesley in their L.E. Blaze trophy rugby encounter at the Bogambara Stadium, Kandy yesterday.
The final tally was 40 points ( 3 goals, 2 tries and 3 penalties) to 39 points (4 goals, 1 try and 2 penalties). The win helped the Kingswoodians to regain the Blazer trophy which they lost last year.
In terms of physique, both teams were equally strong and were engaged in a hard fought battle,
they showed how the oval shape ball should be handled as both three-quarters of either side were superior and the forwards of the two teams were also in good shape playing a good game driving into rucks and mauls.
Both teams surprised everybody with their excellent display of run and pass rugby, they were fast and furious and the ball handling exceptional.
They used their rugby skills to good effect. Wesley should have dominated and pulled the game in their favour, but the Kingswood too was equal to the task.
Wesley, made a big impact, although they lost narrowly., they were superior in their forward play, and had the power and knowledge and were well in control. ,but the Wesleyiotes failed to drive home the advantage, due to too many mistakes being made. Kingswood’s resolute tackling spoilt the determined efforts of Wesley from scoring.
Wesley’s three-quarters
played with lack of cohesion ., the scorers for the winning team were A. Senavirthen two, one try each from C.T. Bandaea, S. Senaviratne, J. Rajapakse conversions were done by L. Ranaweera. And for the losers M. Zebair two and one try each
form Avishka Lee, I,rsh Aponso, S.G. Perera and the conversions by Avishka Lee.
[Referee - Anura Shantha