St. Joseph’s College recorded a 45-17 win against a brave Maliyadeva College who also scored three tries in their quarterfinal rugby match of the Milo President’s Trophy knockout championship at the Sugadathasa Stadium in Colombo yesterday.
The winners collect their points via seven tries and five conversions to three tries and one conversion by Maliyadeva. The Joes will meet the winners of the Trinity College versus Kingswood College match in the semi finals.
The Joes scored early in the third minute of the game when Udesha Perera broke the Maliyadeva defence to touch down for Santhush Algama to add the extra points.
Soon after Maliyadeva got into the action and hit back when Sanju Herath scored through their forwards.
In the 20th minute of the game Joes forward John Ganegoda scored a try when he received an inside pass near the try-line. The conversion was made by Algama after which Gemunu Chethiya and Tharindu Madushanka scored a try each for Algama to convert and extend the lead 28-7.
The match was played in waterlogged conditions with rain in the second half and the Joes went further ahead when Ganegoda got into action and scored his second try which Algama failed to convert.
Nehan Perera scored another try for the Joes as they hit the 40 point mark with the match well and truly secured.
Maliyadeva regrouped well in the second half as they scored two more tries through Sanju Herath and Dilshan Attapattu which went unconverted. Herath in the process scored his second try of the match.
The Joes had a final try in the latter stages of the game when Tharindu Maduranga crossed the line a second time.
Match referee: Priya Suranga