By Shamseer Jaleel
Dharmaraja College ended a long wait of 14 years for the All-Island Elite Under-19 Rugby Sevens crown with a superb second-half comeback to defeat defending champions St Peter’s College 38-19 in the Cup final at the Trinity College Rugby Stadium in Pallekele yesterday.
At the short breather, it was the lads from Bambalapitiya who led 19-10.
After a close first half, Rajans returned after the breather with renewed purpose and completely turned the game around. Their defence tightened, while their attacking play became sharper. Peterites could not score any points in the latter half, while Dharmaraja scored 28 points.
Dharmaraja last won the All-Island Elite Rugby Sevens in 2012. Themiya Anjana of Dharmaraja was Player of the Tournament.
Earlier in the tournament, Dharmaraja booked their place in the final with an impressive 19-10 victory over neighbouring rivals Vidyartha in the semi-finals. Vidyartha enjoyed an outstanding campaign and reached the last four after a string of impressive performances.
The other semi-final produced one of the most thrilling matches of the tournament, as St Peter’s edged out Trinity College 24-19 after extra time. Trinity missed out on winning the Sevens and the triple championship this year. They were the inaugural Sevens winners in 1977, in which they ended the season unbeaten as well.
Thurstan College won the Plate title by edging out St Anthony’s College in a game which saw some questionable decisions go against the Antonians. Nugawela Central College claimed the Bowl championship, while Sumangala College, Panadura, lifted the Shield title to conclude a highly successful two-day schools rugby festival.
Bowl quarter-final
- St Sylvester’s beat
Sri Rahula 27-7
- St Aloysius beat Sumangala Panadura 7-5
- Richmond beat St Benedict’s 58-0
- Nugawela received a bye
Shield semi-final
- St Benedict’s received a bye
- Sri Sumangala Panadura beat Sri Rahula 31-12
Shield final
- Sumangala Panadura beat St Benedict’s 29-12
Bowl semi-final
- Nugawela Central beat Richmond 22-19
- St Sylvester’s beat St Aloysius 28-12
Bowl final
- Nugawela Central beat St Sylvester’s 26-21
Cup/Plate quarter-final
- Dharmaraja beat Lumbini 33-5
- St Peter’s beat Maliyadeva 33-0
- Vidyartha beat Thurstan 17-14
- Trinity beat Anthony’s 22-0
Plate semi-final
- Thurstan beat Lumbini 34-5
- St Anthony’s beat Maliyadeva 12-5
Plate final
- Thurstan beat St Anthony’s 24-19
Cup semi-final
- Dharmaraja beat Vidyartha 19-10
- St Peters beat Trinity 24-19
Cup final
- Dharmaraja beat St Peters 38-19
