The rugby players of St. Peter’s College, Bambalapitiya gave the school’s rugby loads of confidence when they outplayed Isipathana College and recorded a smashing 27 points to 8 win in a Division-1 Group A match at Havelock Park yesterday.

A somewhat heavy drizzle during the junior match didn’t deter a large crowd from gathering at the ground where a total of five tries were produced in an exciting 80 minutes of rugby union.

The Peterites looked the superior side from the kickoff and placed their ‘bets’ on their three quarters who produced three out of four touchdowns they made. The winners enjoyed a lot of possession but many felt they could have raked in a few more tries had they shown the discipline to finish off some impressive moves.

Flanker Shenal Dias stood out for his size and performance, but it was centre Dhanushka Ranjan who stole the show with a breathtaking 90 meter dash and finished it with a try to give the Petes a crucial 12 point lead at the ‘breather’. St. Peter’s led 15-3 at half time.

The Peterites went on the offensive during a fiery first 15 minutes of play which sent the Green Shirts into a defensive mode. This was despite conceding the lead to Isipathana as early as in the first minute of play when referee Irshad Carder penalised a Peterite for holding on to the ball after being tackled. Prasad Devinda was spot on with the penalty kick at goal.

The Peterites leveled scores 3 all with a penalty by Dulaj Perera four minutes later. The lads from Bambalapitiya produced power-packed rugby during the next 17 minutes, but the next try for them came courtesy of a half-hearted clearance kick by an Isipathana defender which settled right in the hands of Banuka Nanayakkara, who collected and scored close to the posts.

Isipathana College played much better after the turn-around, but still the Petes called the shots with their ability to run the ball in a threatening manner. Big boy Dias powered his way over the line for the Peterite’s third try which made the score 22-3 in favour of the winners.

St. Peter’s pulled ahead further when Nanayakkara scored his second try, which was the team’s fourth, seven minutes from the end.

Isipathana did real justice to their potential there onwards when they went on the offensive. They forced the Petes to defend and broke through to take the ball over the try line, thanks to the efforts of Uresh Fonseka. There were many more moves, all coming at a time when the spectators had to strain their eyes to catch the action in semi darkness. Isipathana showed they had hidden skills and lasting energy, but the Petes defence didn’t crack again due to some stubborn defending.

In other matches of the same segment played yesterday, S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia beat Wesley 29-5 at Mount Lavinia while defending champs Royal College beat Prince of Wales 35-6 at Reid Avenue.