Joes edges out Isipathana in a thriller

By Shamseer Jaleel

St. Joseph’s College created history in the Milo President Trophy knockout rugby finals when they edged out the defending champions Isipathana by 19 points (two tries, three penalties) to 13 points (two tries, one penalty) at the Racecourse rugby grounds over the weekend. This was the Joes outfit’s first-ever knockout final win while Isipathana missed out for the first time in eight final appearances. This year Isipathana ended second best in the league and knockout.

Joes got off to a fine start, scoring in the third minute of the game when brilliant Joes centre Chathura Seneviratne drew first blood for the Darley Road outfit. Isipathana attacked through some beautiful moves but the Joes defence was rock solid and no space was seen. After some hard work, Isipathana finally broke through the Joes defence in the 20th minute when their number eight  Devin Gunaratne scored through a lineout.

Both teams lost one man each due to disorderly rugby and yellow card offences. Isipathana lost Chamod Fernando while Joes lost Gihan Perera. Joes went into the short breather after a long distance penalty kick by Chathura Seneviratne, who had an outstanding game in attack as well as in defence. He cleared the cross bar from 50-plus metres.

After the turn around, Chamod Fernando did not waste any time when he put his team on level with Joes, with a penalty kick at goal. Joes flanker Tharindu Alwis went through the shell-shocked Isipathana defence through an excellent flank forward try but Sachith Silva missed the directions to take a 13-8 lead. Chathura Seneviratne, who cannot be kept out of the game, was in action with two more penalties for the Joes to take a 19-8 lead. Just before the two penalties, while Isipathana were on the attack, they were moving sweetly before being called for a very close forward pass by referee with the support of the assistant referee. Isipathana scored a consolation try deep into extra time by Winger Keshawa but time ran out too fast for them to beat Joes. Poor ball handling cost the game for the Green Shirts but the Joes played really well as a unit, between their speedy three quarter line and mobile set of forwards who were omnipresent.

Referee – Irshard Cader