St. Joseph’s College, recorded a close 30 points (four tries, two conversions, two penalties) to 28 (three tries, two conversions, three penalties) win over S. Thomas’ College, in their Lady Jayatilleke Shield rugby encounter played at Havelock Park yesterday after leading 17-10 at the breather.
It was Josephian Number Eight Naveen Marasinghe who opened the scoring through a forwards rush and the conversion was missed by fly half Subash Dilhara to go into a 5-0 lead.
Minutes later, the Thomians cut down the lead to 5-3 when fly half Bulathsinghalage put over a penalty. They grabbed the lead 10-5 when Number Eight and captain Charya Kulukulasuriya touched down for a try which was converted by Bulathsinghalage.
Immediately Jehan Athukorale scored a try for the Joes and Dilhara fired across the conversion to take the lead to 17-10 at half time.
After the breather the Joes outfit, who dominated play through their hard working forwards, gave a terrific display to completely outplay their counterparts in the loose.
However, the Mount Lavinia school came storming back into the game when their fly half and playmaker Bulathsinghalage scored a superb try through a sweeping three-quarter move. He himself put over the conversion to equal the score 17 all.
Then soon after, Joes fly half Dilhara fired across two quick 25-metre penalties to go into the lead 23-17.
The Thomians closed the gap to 23-20 when Bulathsinhalage made no mistake with a 30-metre penalty and reduced the deficit to just three points.
St. Joseph’s increased the lead when Marasinghe scored a splendid try and Subash made a brilliant conversion and they went into a 30 points to 20 lead.
In the 35th minute, Bulathsinghalage put over a 35-metre penalty for the Thomians to cut down the lead to 30-23.
In stoppage time S. Thomas’ scored a spectacular try though winger Jaden Koch who sprinted through to touch down near the right corner flag but Bulathsinghalage failed in the touchline conversion much to the relief of the Joes.
Referee – Aaqil Jamaldeen