St. Joseph`s College outplayed the Reid Avenue lads at full time as they clinched the third place of the All Island U-19 tournament – The scoreboard read 59-45 in favor of the Darley road lads.
Joes winning the jump ball drew first blood in the maiden possession. Building upon the rhythm, home lads maintained a seven-zero run for two minutes. Royalists got the party started as they swished the nets a couple of times off mid-range jumpers. Since Joes were on top on the cards in rebounds, Royalists needed that extra bit of effort to keep themselves alive. They lacked consistency in their offence. It was a simple ask of penetrating into the defense but the Royalists failed to do so in the maiden quarter. Joes settling themselves down led the game by eleven points.
The lads from Reid Avenue decided to opt for a zonal defensive strategy. Yet without dominating the rebounding department it was a tough ask to close the deficit. The pressure in the defense had immediate effect on the offense. No strategic play was to be seen. Shots that swished the nets off and on added ten points to the score board for the entire quarter. Joes managed to score eighteen points in contrast.
Half time – St. Joseph’s College – 40 Royal College – 21
The lads from Reid Avenue were in desperate need to settle themselves in the game but, it was just not their day. Momentum for them was not forthcoming. They continued to miss rebounds and to drive into the defense. Joes on the other side of the curtain outsmarted the Royalists in every way.
Skipper Kisal Cooray etched almost all of the rebounds even though he did not chip in much on the offense. He did lead the team gallantly and for that he should be applauded. Bhanuka Gamage held his cool and did the damage in the offense. The defense of the home lads was not the best but it did save them the day. They could have tightened the screws on the forwards and stuck to the basics of raising the hand up to pressurize the opponents.
Joes stepped into the final ten minutes with a twenty point lead and from there onwards it was just defending their tip-top work. Royalists could have had their sway if they thought of changing their offensive strategy rather than just feeding the forwards. Joes turning out to be the better team at the end of forty minutes of play, rejoiced a victory at home.
Full time – St. Joseph’s College – 59 Royal College – 45
ThePapare.com player of the match – Bhanuka Gamage (St. Joseph’s College)
