Trinity College beat St Joseph’s College 22 points to 12 to clinch the Cup Championship in the U18 Singer Schools Rugby 7’s Tournament which concluded today at Race Course International Stadium.

Trinity lions found their way into the cup finals after beating Piliyandala MMV (33 – 17) in the quarter finals and DS Senanayake College (22 – 5) in the semi finals while St Joseph’s Collegebooked their spot in the cup finals after beating Royal College (12 – 5) and Science College (22 – 17) in the semi finals.

The final was expected to be a crunch game given the names which featured in both sides. Joes kicked off proceedings but it was a horrible start from the boys from Darley Road. AmithKulathunga of Trinity College was sinbinned in the second minute but against the run of play Trinity Skipper Warren Weerakoon gathered the loose ball, fended off two defenders and went over the line to score in the 2nd minute of the game. PrabathVimal converted the try. (TCK 7 – SJC 0)

The momentum soon shifted towards the Blue and White Army as Trinity College were reduced to 5 men after Warren Weerakoon received a yellow card for off side play. Joes pounced on the two-man advantage and drew back the deficit through an unconverted try by NehanPerera. (TCK 7 – SJC 5)

Once Trinity was back in full force they looked to dominate proceedings. Seconds before the half time whistle AmithKulathunga went over the line to extend the lead for Trinity College. The hard work was done by their skipper Warren who made the initial breakthrough from the 40m line and got the off load on time for Amith.

Half Time: Trinity College 12 – St Joseph’s College 5

Joes had to get their A game in play if they were to overcome the Trinitians but it wasn’t the case for the boys from Darley Road in the all-important final. Trinity extended their lead early on through an unconverted try from MohommadShoaib. Once again it was Warren and GeeshapaKulathunga who made the hard yards by using their strength and drawing defenders towards them which ultimately opened spaces for the wingers on the outside. (TCK 17 – SJC 5)

The time was running out for St Joseph’s College but they just couldn’t find a way through the Trinity defence. On the other hand, Trinity College kept on the pressure and they sealed the victory through their 4th try. It was their skipper Warren Weerakoon who used his strength to break through the middle and get the off load just in time to PrabathVimal who went over the line. (TCK 22 – SJC 5)
Joephians were well and truly out of the game but they found some conciliation through a last minute try. Trinity College crowned deserving champions of the tournament. Their skipper Warren Weerakoon was named Player of the Tournament for the role he played right throughout the two days.