Trinity contain giant killers Science for close win

Trinity must be heaving a big sigh of relief. The Kandy lads underwent tremendous pressure in the final twenty minutes or so and scraped through to an 18-11 win over Science College at the latter’s grounds in Templar’s Road, Mt. Lavinia yesterday.

Trinity making their first appearance in Colombo was given a torrid time by Science before they triumphed. This was their first win for the season. Last week they were held to a 34 each draw by Dharmaraja at Pallekelle. Science on the other hand came into the game full of confidence especially after their win against Royal last week.

Science made several attacks on Trinity territory but lacked the imagination to score as their three-quarters opted to go solo on many occasions. If they had the skill to penetrate through the Trinity defense it would have been quite a different story. Trinity on the other hand dropped the ball at crucial moments.

Midway in the first half Trinity fly-half Tharindu Ratwatte put over a difficult penalty and surged into the lead at 3-0. Close on the heels of this penalty winger Rukshan Sasmin blazed through to an unconverted try far left to give Trinity an 8-0 lead at the breather.

After the turn around Science, perhaps boosted by the pep-talks given to them by Namal Rajapaksa and coach Rohitha Rajapaksa, played far better.

Trinity too, obviously, egged on by their coach Neil Foote, came back with a lot of determination and scored far right through first center Lochana Girihagame and Tharindu Ratwatte had his kicking boots on to put over the kick at goal. This put Trinity firmly ahead at 15-0.

Then came Science’s fight back. A penalty converted by Chathura Dilshan Gomes cut Trinity’s lead to 3- 18. A full fledged penalty con- version from almost the half way mark by Tharindu Ratwatte enabled Trinity to increase the lead to 18-3. That was as far as the Trinity scoring went.

The final minutes belonged to Science with winger Costa making in roads with a fantastic run. This move however broke down due to lack of support. Chathura Dilshan Gomes put over a penalty and Science reduced Trinity’s lead to 6-18. With the minutes ticking bye and Science fans screaming for blood, Science’s flanker Lasindu scored an unconverted try to make the final tally 18-11 in favour of Trinity. Referee Irshad Cader. Earlier in the Under 16 game Trinity beat Science 28-0.