The first semi-final in the Milo Trophy Under 20 schools rugger tournament between St. Peter’s and Isipathana ended in an utter chaos situation. Referee Priyantha Gunaratne suspended play after thirty minutes as a section of the crowd in the uncovered area threw objects to the side referee and into the playing area.
The Peterites led 14-0 in the 30 minutes of play when the incident took place over a controversial decision and the crowd erupted in protest. The two teams remained in mid field for one hour, until the referee Priyantha Gunaratne abandon the match.
A decision will be taken by the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association and the two masters in charge of the schools, today at 10 am at Lumbini MV to fix a new date and whether to continue the match or play a fresh game most probably at Police Park, Bambalapitiya.
The league champions Peterites dominated play from the outset and opened scoring when Dulaj Perera fired over two penalties. In the 21st minute the Peterites won a mid field scrum and skipper and number 8 Keith Gurusinghe broke away and sent the back division in motion and Sandun Herath went on to score an unconverted try. A few minutes later the Peterites were awarded a penalty for the ‘Pathana’ line being off side and Perera made no mistake with the kick to make it 14-0.
With this the crowd reacted and threw objects to the side referee, and the two teams had to muster in mid field. The incident took place about 10 minutes before the half time around 5.10 pm.
The organisers tried their utmost best to resume the game, but after nearly an hour the referee called off the match.
Today Royal will meet Wesley in the second semi-final at the same venue.
Ramesh Rushantha Silva
( Srilanka )
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