St. Joseph’s College defeated Wesley College in an error-laden dull encounter, securing a 03-00 (1P) win at the Royal Complex, kickstarting and securing their first points of the Dialog School Rugby League 2023 Campaign.
The hosts made two changes to their line-up, replacing pivots Nizam Suhaib and Abdul Hardy with Yooseph and Kaize Lye, while the Josephians replaced Inosh Silva, Bryan Fernando and Nathan Gunaratne with Sandesh Induwara, Tharusha Jayasuriya and Senithu Eran, as both sides aimed to keep their second round hopes alive with a victory on a humid day at the Complex.
>>Get to know your Dialog Schools Rugby League 2023 Coaches – Part 1
The atmosphere seemed electric prior to kick-off as the faithful from both schools hoped for a cracker of an encounter.
Ruchitha Rodrigo kicked the first 3 points of the game, not knowing it would be the only points in the game, as two minutes into proceeding the Wesley defense was caught offside. (WC 00-03 SJC)
Wesley College mauled their way toward the try line, crashing over. However, the Referee adjudged the players at the maul offside as the ball seemed to be transferred before the Josephians engaged in the maul.
Neither team was able to get a foothold in the game as handling errors and unforced errors mounted through the first half moments after Rodrigo failed to convert from 48 meters out on the angle.
The Double Blue shifted from their traditional forwards play to the backs running towards a heavier Josephian three-quarter line as they managed to cause some distress to the visitors. However, Wesley failed to trouble the scorers during the first half, ending the stanza scoreless.
Half time: Wesley College 00 trail St. Joseph’s College 03 (1P)
Both teams started from where they left as the second half was error-laden, as neither team was able to get a foothold in the game.
>>Get to know your School Rugby Coaches – Part 2
Unforced errors, handling errors, and butterfingers were the story of the evening as Wesley College turned down a number of kickable penalties in the quest to find the elusive whitewash, only to be turned around and sent packing time after time as the game seemed to slip away.
The Josephians were reduced to 13 men in the 57th minute of the game as hooker Chamod Seneviratne and prop Nithick Rodrigo were both sent to the bin, first for continuous infringements and also for an undercut tackle at the line out. Neither team, however, capitalized as neither managed points in the second 35.
The hosts continuously turned down chances for points in search of the all-elusive try: however, it never seemed to come as they ran out of time, handing the Josephians a lackluster victory and plenty to work on prior to the crucial encounter against Isipathana next week.
Wesley plays D. S. Senanayake College next weekend as the Double Blues continue to seek for their first victory of the season.
Full time: Wesley College 00 lost to St. Joseph’s College 03 (1P)
NDB Player of the Match: Ruchitha Rodrigo (SJC Center)
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Points Breakdown:
St. Joseph’s College: Ruchitha Rodrigo 1P
Bookings:
Yellow Cards – Sandesh Induwara (SJC) Chamod Seneviratne (SJC) and Nithick Rodrigo (SJC)
 win at the Royal Complex, kick starting and securing their first points of the Dialog School Rugby League Campaign.){kind=link}