Rajans edge out Joes - 22/20

by Ranjan Anandappa

Dharmaraja's centre Buwaneka Udangamuwa who scored a hat-rick of tries saw Dharmaraja maintaining their unblemished school's rugby record this season when they beat St. Joseph's by 22 points (two goals, one try and a penalty) to 20 (one goal, two tries and a penalty) in an action packed Singer Schools Under-20 rugby match played at Longden Place yesterday.

The scores read 15 all at the breather.

The previous day's rain and the thick drizzle half way through the match did not permit both sides to run the ball and Joes possessing a heavy set of forwards had a slight advantage.

Dharmaraja opened scoring through a penalty coming from the boot of Thilina Wijesinghe. But the lead was only for a short while as the Joes scored off a ruck when hooker Dewon Fernando cut through and scored for Junith Fernando to give them the extra points. After a short while the Joes increased their lead when Vimukthi Rahula once again scored off a maul but Junith Fernando failed to add the extra points. Fernando missed at least two penalties which made the difference for his side.

With the Joes leading 12-3 Buwaneka Udangamuwa gave his side Dharmaraja the edge touching down twice with a strong display of running to score two tries which were converted by Thilina Wijesinghe and a penalty also put over by Wijesinghe put the scores on par 15 all at half time.

On resumption it was the Joes who dominated with their powerful forwards spearheaded by Number 8 Jason Melder, Sheran Johnson and Stefan Gregory which gave them a try scored by Jason Melder, the conversion was missed but the Joes took the lead 20-15.

Just after the mid second half the match winning try came from Buwaneka Udangamuwa who deceived several defenders from a thirty meter run touched down under the post to give an easy conversion to Thilina Wijesinghe who made no mistake with the kick.

After the match a section of the crowd invaded the playing area threatening the the referee Charith Kodagoda. But the Police brought the situation under control.