S. Thomas’ College retained the Lady Jayathilaka Shield after coming from behind to beat St. Joseph’s College by 26 points to 24 in their Dialog Inter-School league rugby encounter played at Mount Lavinia yesterday.
They scored just two tries, two conversions and four penalties that contributed largely towards their victory.
The Joes who started well with their robust forwards and back division scored four tries and two conversions to collect a bonus point. However, with this loss the Josephians are in danger of an ouster in the running for the title.
St. Joseph’s opened scoring in the second minute when they won a line out and used the rolling maul to go over with Chamod Seneviratne having the ball in hand.
Ruchitha Rodrigo converted well to give them full points.
Joes increased on the lead seven minutes later through another try by centre Shanaka Alahakoon through a three-quarter move.
They continued to play aggressively through their heavy forwards, but in their haste made a few mistakes that gave away penalties to the Thomians.
Thereafter, the Thomians added six points through two penalties put over by Yehan Bulathsinhalage who did well from long distances.
After missing on another kick at goal for a penalty the Thomians got another penalty for not retreating ten yards. Bulathsinhalage kicked over a 34 metre penalty to obtain nine points.
St. Joseph’s led 12-9 at half time.
The second half too saw the Josephians play attacking rugby through their forwards and even their back division proved very dangerous with their penetrative runs.
They opened scoring in the first minute of second half that saw Sachinthana Waidyanathan barge his way for a try off a sequence of loose play. Rodrigo converted to give them a ten point lead at that point.
Thomians struck back with another penalty by Bulathsinhalage from 33 metres out to give them their 12 points.
Josephians increased on their lead through another good try by Naveen Marasinghe who went over after a short tap.
Rodrigo failed to convert and they were leading by 12 points at that point. It was only after that point that the Thomians used their forwards to gain territory and progress towards the Joes goal line.
Joes lost their skipper through a yellow card and after that the Thomians scored a try through their centre Vijaan de Silva through a three-quarter move.
Bulathsinhalage converted the try and reduced the deficit in the 49th minute. Thomians maintained their positive and aggressive play and off such a move prop forward Mohamad Hakeem barged over for a try.
With Bulathsinhalage converting the try they got ahead by two points until the final whistle.
Ishanka Abeykoon refereed.