Joes edge out Trinity in thriller

A Josephian player is tackled by two Trinity players

By Shamseer Jaleel

St. Joseph’s College continued their winning streak in the Singer League Under-19 rugby competition when they edged out Trinity College 32 points (2 goals, 3 tries, 1 penalty) to 25 points (5 tries) at the Trinity College Rugby Stadium in Pallekelle yesterday.

At halftime Trinity led 15-10. The game was played at a hectic pace with the Trinitians dominating proceedings during the game’s early stages. The Joes took time to settle down. In loose play Trinity stood out in the early part of the game. After the turnaround the Joes settled down and looked a much different outfit with Tharindu De Alwis and Gemunu Cheethiya playing outstanding rugby. 

They constantly split the Trinity defence with some powerful runs. For Trinity, winger Vishwa Ranaraja, Skipper Avishka Sheik and Centre Warren Weerakoon stood out. On attack Warren gained much-needed ground for the home team. In the latter half, Trinity replacement Zaid Faizal too was lightning fast and came up with some superb cover tackles which prevented the visitors from scoring freely.

The Joes drew first blood in the 12th minute when a Trinity player high tackled a Josephian three-quarter and was penalised. Fly Half Santhush Algama was on target with the 25-metre penalty. 

But Trinity hit back immediately when their flanker prop forward Pravinda Wijethilake went over for a forwards try. Sheik missed the conversion. 

Four minutes later through a forwards rush Trinity scored their second try and equalised to make things 10 apiece. St. Joseph’s hit back through their winger Akila Shan, who scored a try which was converted by Santhush. On the stroke of halftime it was Trinity winger Vishwa Ranaraja who used his individual brilliance, covering nearly 40 metres to have things 15-10 in favour of the home team.

After the turnaround the Joes were a different outfit and ran the ball wide out and found many gaping holes in the Trinity defence which was extremely weak, missing a number of first tackles which gave the three-quarters a free run of the park. 

St. Joseph’s equalised through Imesh and then a try from Kavinda gave them a 20-15 lead. But a second try from Vishva Ranaraja levelled the scores at 20 all. Then through a three-quarter move Avishka Sheik got past a few defenders before touching down for a try and taking the lead at 25-20. 

Unfortunately, the Trinitians’ kicks at goal were extremely poor and the try was not converted by Akitha Sakalasuriya, who missed two try conversions while his skipper Sheik missed three. 

The player of the game Gemun Cheethiya and Tharindu De Alwis scored a try each to give the Joes a seven-point lead. Trinity fought back in the last five minutes but the Josephian defence stood firm until the final whistle. The referee for the game was Rohan Fernando.

St. Joseph’s College won the Under-16 game 24-7 while in the Under-18 encounter Trinity won 10-5.  

Royal outclass Antonians

Royal College outclassed St. Anthony’s College, Katugastota by 55 points (6 goals, 2 tries, 1 penalty) to 13 points (1 goal, 2 penalties) at the Nittawela Rugby Stadium yesterday.

At halftime the winners led 15-13.

Kingswood victorious

Kingswood College beat S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia by 24 points (2 goals, 2 tries) to 5 points (1 try) at Digana yesterday. At halftime Kingswood led 19-5.

Isipathana trump Rajans

Isipathana College beat Dharmaraja College 42 points (2 goals, 5 tires, 1 penalty) to 14 points (2 goals) at the Royal Sports Complex yesterday.

In the last game of the weekend, St. Peter’s College beat Wesley College 33 points (4 goals, 1 try) to 17 points (1 goal, 2 tries) at Havelock Park yesterday.