Joes a thrilling 19-17 win

by S. M. Jiffrey Abdeen - Kandy Sports Cor.

St. Josephs College, Maradana, pulled off a thrilling 19 points (2 goals, 1 try) to 17 (1 goal, 2 tries) win over Dharmaraja College, kandy in their schools Singer Shield under-20 Division one rugby tournament match played at the Bogambara Stadium, Kandy yesterday at half the scores stood dead locked at 12 all.

Rajans though they lost put a gallant fight against their more fancied opponents. Had they only put more aggression into their play, especially by their forwards, they could have scored an upset win.

After a 10 minute lull in scoring, it was the Rajans who kept the scoreboard making when D. Hapuarachchi forced his way to score by the left corner flag and this try went unconverted.

Hardly had the shouting of the Rajans supporters had died down the Josephians took over the lead when there U.B. Nilewela scored off a forwards charged and Umar Shanka added the extra points.

The ding dong battle continued and the Rajans regained the lead this time when centre P.K. Wickremanayake with a breezy run touched down near the left post Tilina Wijesinghe added the extra points. Rajans led 12-5. Almost on the stroke of half time the Josephians levelled the scores through a try scored by flanker Y.D. Keyser. The second half saw play switching from one end to other.

However in the 20th minute of the second half the Josephians scored off a ruck through look N.C. Wanniarachchi and Umar Shanka added the extra points which proved to be decisive in the final reckoning.

The Rajans fought back through some intelligent play but the Josephians defence held. After keeping play in their opponents territory for sometime, the Rajans succeeded in scoring through D. Madusanka but Tilina Wijesinghe failed to add the extra points which would have helped them to share the honour.

Irshard Cader referee.