St. Joseph’s College, Colombo survived a major scare from a spirited Vidyartha College team in a thrilling 24-all draw in the Dialog Inter-School League Rugby Tournament match played at the Nittawela Stadium yesterday.
The game was full of drama and intensity, with both teams scoring two converted tries and two unconverted tries each. At halftime, the visiting Joes held a narrow 7-5 lead, but the second half saw a flurry of action from both sides.
It was Vidyartha College who drew first blood. In the 7th minute, prop forward Dinusha Dilshan crashed over the line for an unconverted try, putting the home team ahead 5-0.
But St. Joseph’s College replied quickly. Number eight Inosh Silva powered his way through the Vidyartha defence for a try in the 21st minute. Centre Malshan Dewmin made no mistake with the conversion, and Joes took the lead 7-5 — a scoreline that remained until halftime.
Just after the restart, Vidyartha were reduced to 14 men due to an infringement. Joes capitalised, with prop forward Isuru Chathuranga scoring under the posts in the 42nd minute. However, the conversion was off target. The score read 12-5.
Minutes later, Isuru Chathuranga crossed the line again, this time near the left corner, extending Joes’ lead to 17-5 by the 48th minute.
But Vidyartha did not back down. Despite another yellow card and being reduced to 14 players again, they hit back with an unconverted try in the 57th minute, narrowing the gap to 17-10.
St. Joseph’s also lost a player to the sin bin in the 58th minute due to a heavy tackle, and both teams were playing with 14 men. Vidyartha’s flanker Vihanga Sathsidu then scored a brilliant line-out try on the right. With the successful conversion, Vidyartha leveled the score 17-17 in the 63rd minute.
Joes showed their fighting spirit once again. Fly half Beeshma Jayasekara found space on the right and dived over in the 68th minute. He also converted his own try, pushing St. Joseph’s ahead 24-17.
However, Vidyartha refused to give up. In the dying moments, replacement scrum-half Kalana Kaushika darted over for a try near the posts after a strong run. Winger Kavindu Hewage made no mistake with the conversion, leveling the score at 24-24. (SJ)
Referee: Ishanka Abeykoon
