Second half rally helps Vidyartha beat Joes

S.M. Jiffrey ABDEEN - Kandy Sports Corr.

A second half rally saw Vidyartha College register their first win for the season when they defeated St. Joseph's College, Maradana by 41 points (3 goals, 4 tries) to 31 (3 goals, 2 tries) in their Schools Under-19 Division One Segment 'A' Rugby Tournament match played at Nittawela yesterday.

At half time it was the Josephians who led 19 - 12.

Match winner for Vidyartha College was their skipper and No. 8 Jason Dissanayake who ran in 4 tries at various stages of the game and also excelled in loose play to stop the Josephian who had a much heavier pack.Vidyartha College scored first when Jason Dissanayake worked his way through to touch down by the corner flag and the conversion was missed.

But the Josephian hit back in the 8 minute when their fly half Rehan Thiyagarajah spiritual away to score under the post and added the extra points himself.

In the 11th minute Vidyartha wrested the lead when Jason Dissanayake who powered his way to score under the post and scrum half Chamath Fernando added the extra points. Vidyartha led 12 - 5.

in the 31st minute a penalty awarded to St. Joseph's College saw them move the ball with Winger Dinesh de Silva scoring under the post Rehan Thiyagarajah added the extra points to level the scores to 12 all.

In the final minute of the first half the Josephians wrested the lead through No. 8 Yehan Keyser who scored mid left and Rehan Thiyagarajah added the extra points. Joes led 19 - 12 at lemons.

But the second half belonged to Vidyartha who reduced the lead in the fifth minute of this half through scrum half Chamath Fernando.Seven minutes later lock forward Lahiru Ratnadivakara scored off a maul and this went unconverted Vidyartha had regained the lead. 24-19.

In the 20th minute Vidyartha's speedy winger Dhanushka Jalwatte made a brilliant run to score far left and this went unconverted. It was that man. Jason Dissanayake who followed a kick ahead to go over far left.

Vidyartha 34-19.The Josephians came back briefly into the game in the 30th minute when their back Jason scored 31-34 and it was anybody's game at this stage.

But in the 36th minute Vidyartha College skipper Jasan Dissanayake put the issue beyond doubt by touching down near the post and scrum half Chamath Fernando added the extra points.

Gamini Indrasena refereed.