Wesley College’s second half romp dismantled a fragile St. Joseph’s College outfit 36 (6T 3C) – 23 (3T 1C 2P) as the Double Blue progressed through to the Quarter Final of the Dialog Schools’ Rugby Knockout Championship.
The Josephians got off the blocks quickest as center Malshan Dewmin knocked over an early penalty, as the Wesley defence was caught offside.
Vice Captain Beeshma Jayasekara scored the first try of the match as he added the finishing touches from close range after winger Thewan Kithnuka made a break down the far touch line.
Malshan failed with the extras; however, the Josephians were in with the early advantage. (WC 00-08 SJC)
The Josephians switched off after scoring, and that cost them dearly as a knock on from the ensuing restart gave the opportunity for the Les-Blue. Pouncing on the opportunity was Praththana Rodrigo, as the winger add the finishing touches to the quick hands from the three-quarters.
Abdul Haadhi failed with the extras as Wesley continued to trail by 3 points. (WC 05-08 SJC)
Kaizer Lye failed to clear his lines following their score as the Double Blues were made to pay. Beeshma Jayasekara was the beneficiary as he doubled the Josephians try tally. This time around, Malshan made no mistake off the tea as he put a sizeable lead between the two teams. (WC 05-15 SJC)
Tries were plentiful as Wesley hit back straight away, giving the Josephians no time to breath.
Kaveesha Dilhara added the finishing touches to a move which ran from left to right this time around.
Haadhi added the extras this time around as the Joes lead was cut to 3-points. (WC 12-15 SJC)
Malshan added a penalty from the tee as he made it a 6-point game. However, the Double Blues struck back through Ashen Emmanuel as the big prop forward ensured the Wesley lads went into the break trailing by one point as another conversion went astray.
Half Time: Wesley College 17 (3T 1C) trail St. Joseph’s College 18 (2T 1C 2P)
The second half was a Wesley College Masterclass as the lads from Borella outscored the lads from Maradana.
Kaveesha Dilhara added the a sublime finishing touch as he dotted down in the near touchline to score an acrobatic effort. Haadhi failed with the extras. (WC 22-18 SJC)
Skipper Janith Marasinghe pounced on an opportunity as he took a quick tap and helped the Josephians make it a single point game. (WC 22-23 SJC)
In a momentous shifting moment, Josephian Senuja Geeran saw yellow for a late tackle, meaning the Josephians had to make do with 14 players.
Kaveesha Dilhara made sure the Wesley lads scored in quick succession, giving the Wesley Lads a lead of 11 points.
Dilhara’s second try was the pick of the lot as the Wesley lads managed to overcome the Josephians, into the Quarter Final.
Full Time: Wesley College 36 (6T 3C) defeat St. Joseph’s College 23 (3T 1C 2P)
- Swisstek Player of the Match: Kaveesha Dilhara (WC 14)
Points Breakdown:
Wesley College – Praththana Rodrigo 1T, Kaveesha Dilhara 3T, Ashen Emmanuel 1T, Naham Hemachandra 1T, Abdul Haadhi 3C
St. Joseph’s College – Beeshma Jayasekara 2T, Janith Marasinghe 1T, Malshan Dewmin 1C, 2P
 - 23 (3T 1C 2P) as the Double Blue progressed through to the Quarter Final of the Dialog Schools’ Rugby Knockout Championship.){kind=link}