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.
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