Dialog Knockout Rugby 2022:  Joes in to final with a thriller

By Shamseer Jaleel

St. Joseph’s College, Colombo pulled off a thrilling 16 points (1 try, 1 conversion, 3 penalties) to 13 points (2 tries, 1 penalty) win after extra time in their President Trophy Dialog League Knockout semi-final encounter which was worked off under semi-darkness at Havelock Park last evening.

At the short breather it was Wesley who led 5/0.

The game was played under wet conditions with ball handling becoming a tough task for both teams. Both teams made a number of handling errors. Wesley did dominate the early part of the game but could not convert territory into points. After the turn around Joes settled well and looked a better team yard faster than their opponents. They too did not play up to their full potential making errors in tandem. 

Wesley once again came back into the game through a try by their skipper Tharusha Jayaweera which took the game into extra time. The first five minutes of the extra time did not produce any scores. Going into the second half in the extra time Joes scored a penalty and pulled off a famous win to meet the League champions, Isipathana in the final next weekend.

Wesley drew first blood in the 23rd minute of the game through their winger, Nithila Rodrigo. Kick was not successful. This was the only score in the initial half.

After the turnaround, Dilhara Subash put Joes on the board with an easy 30 m penalty. Another Dilhara Subash penalty took the Darley Road outfit into 6/5 lead. Jehan Athukorale scored Joes try with Dilhara Subash kick at goal being on target to take the lead further to 13/5. Sheveen Jayawardena penalty put Wesley into the game again when they closed the gap with 5 points.

Skipper Tharusha Jayaweera who had a grand outing scored a magnificent try to equalise the scores at 13 apiece after full time.

The game going into extra time saw Ruchira Rodrigo putting over a penalty 25 m left to give them the much-needed win and into the final encounter next weekend against Isipathana.

Referee was Raveen Alexander.

Semi-Final results 

• Chairmen’s Trophy Semi-Final: St. John’s College beat Nalanda 25/12

• Premier Trophy Semi-Final: Zahira beat Thurstan 23/5