Joes regain Lady Jayatileka Shield with big 51-8 win over Thomians

By Ranjan Anandappa

St.Joseph's College went on the rampage against a hapless S.Thomas' College outfit to regain the Lady Jayatileka Shield with a big 51 points (four goals , four tries and a penalty) to 8 (a try and a penalty) win in their Singer Under-20 schools rugby second round match at the CR and FC grounds, Longden Place yesterday.

The Thomians started off well, but gradually wilted under pressure inserted by the Josephian diligent set of forwards and finally succumbed to defeat. While the Joes enjoyed a flow of good ball which they went on to accumulate their

points the Thomians gave a pathetic display of ball handling and lack of cohesion in their three quarter line.

The Mount Lavinia school opened scoring through a penalty, but the Joes were soon on par when Dulip Fernando fired over a penalty. The Joes in the first half scored fopur tries in quick succession as their set of forwards played a

terrific game driving into rucks and mauls. Vioshmitha Peiris opened scoring for the winners when he pierced through the Thomian defence .

There after Stefan Gregory and Vishmitha Peiris touched down once again with Dulip Fernando adding the extra points.

The Joes led 29-3 at the breather.

On resumption the Thomians fared a bit better but the Joes found their fluency better than they did in the

first half. They played with their forwards and used their back division well while defending.

They went on to plant four more tries with their powerful style of play. Soon after the short whistle a fine three quarter move sent S.Sudaraka for an unconverted try followed by three more tries scored by Hasuru Gunawardena, Vimukthi

Rahula and Minura Randika. Kasun Jayanath scored the solitary try by the Thomians which went unconverted.

Referee.Dimithri Gunasekera.