A second half rampage by Trinity College in the Singer A Division School Rugby League game against St. Joseph’s College allowed the home side record an exciting win exposing the true potential possessed by the school on the hill.
Scores in brief: Trinity 34 (1G 3T 4P) to St. Joseph’s 17 (2G 1P)
The Trinity Josephian encounter being one of the traditional games played annually dates back to the late 1950’s where Trinity became the one of the first schools to play an encounter against a Josephian outfit. The Joes having won the previous encounter which being their second ever win against their counterparts, were agitating to make a clear stand at Pallekelle having comfortably defeated Wesley in their season opener. Trinity on the other hand looking solid after their landslide win over DS, were opting to remain unbeaten at the closure of the second week.
The game kicked off with the visitors being able to cherish the starting phases of play. However a causal infringement in Trinity’s attacking 22 allowed skipper Ratwatte to draw first blood from the penalty kick (3-0).The Joes who are famed for their defense utilized all of their moves to counter the heavy Trinitian attack and waited patiently for the right time to attack.
With Nagitha Ridimaliyadde, the Trinity scrum-half heading towards the sin bin for an offside infringement, the visitors took the added advantage to work through their backs and carved out a possible space for center Gunawardena to score the first one for the Joes under the posts. With the conversion easily kicked over by Shamilka Kurumubulapitiya, the visitors were sitting comfortably in the driving seat. (3-7)
The Josephian skipper,Vishwamithra Peiris realizing that the window he and his team had was limited continued on their attacking spree which finally went on to bear fruit as skipper Peiris broke through to cross over for the second try of the day. Easily converted by Kurumubalpitiya, The Joes had accumulated a total of 14 points at break.
Trinity however was busy getting their act together and in this process spent a variable amount on the field to get momentum to their side. Ratwatte, the leading point scorer in the league thus far, continued his stance as he kicked two more penalties successfully to end the scores at 9-14 in favor St. Joseph’s.
The second half did the talking for the Lion’s while they went on to amass an aggregate of 25 points in total. Just in to the second minute of play, a perfectly executed set play got the Trinity backs Sanchana Shiek on his feet where he off loaded a quicker to Ratwatte who covered the remaining 10 meters to score the first try for the team. Ratwatte chipped in with the easy conversion making scores escalate pass the visitors (16-14).
This followed a pair of penalties by both teams, which was successfully kicked by Ratwatte for Trinity and Dulith Fernando for Joes respectively. Ratwatte who was having a great day at the ground continued his good record this time with the help of his deputy Basu Karunathilake. A quick pick and drive made the burly forward clear some ground before he passed it out to his skipper on the right who made no mistake in scoring the try. Though the conversion did not materialize, the scores 24-17 gave the spectators mild prophesies of the game’s result.
Lochana Girihagama’s couple of tries which came at the death were the scores which finally sealed the game off for the home team. Two consecutive tries by the wing three on the right flag took the Trinity score up by another 10 points to conclude the game’s proceedings.
It was a great game of rugby and the Josephians were the highlight of play in the first half. Some tactical defences implemented by skipper Vishwamithra Pieris was seen and due credit should go to his three quarters for holding the free running Trinity backs. The second half put the Joes on a fitness test in latter stages of play and that finally proved out to be the pressure point of the day which turned tables.
Skipper Ratwatte was in formidable form this evening with him scoring almost all the points on board till Girihagama chipped in with his couple of tries. Leading from the forefront he has stood as an example to his team mates with his contribution and leadership. It was not the best days of rugby for a few players in both sides as many injuries were seen on the field from both sides
St. Joseph’s should be happy with their performance today but a few finishing touches would have got them the honor of being the victor. Trinity College would need to work on their departments to be at full strength as they will face Isipathana College next weekend at CR & FC.
ThePapare Player of the Match : Tarinda Ratwatte (26 points scored 2T,4P,1C)
SCORE BREAKDOWN
Trinity College – 34
Try Scorers Tarinda Ratwatte 2/ Lochana Girihagama 2
Penalties (4) Tarinda Ratwatte
Conversions (1) Tarinda Ratwatte
St. Joseph’s College – 17
Try Scorers Vishwamithra Pieris / HRA Gunawardena
Conversions S. Kurubalpitiya (2)
Penalties (1) Dulith Fernando
