In an inspiring performance saw the Josephian’s thump helpless Thora to reclaim the Lady Jayathilaka Memorial trophy.
St. Joseph’s College rooted a hapless Thomian side from the word go taking advantage of the mediocre defensive efforts of Thora. The back line at the start gave the Thomians a slight opportunity to go ahead in the first quarter of the game. Thomian fly half P.M Ferdinando successfully put over a penalty to put the Thomians ahead in the first few minutes. (SJC 00-03 STC)
St.joseph’s College raised their game after the early score from St. Thomas to apply pressure and a penalty was conceded by the Thomians which helped the boys from Darley road level the scores from a successful penalty by Dulith Fernando. (SJC 03-03 STC)
The Josephians continued to apply pressure and a good kick from fly half Dulith Fernando caused S Thomas to knock and lead to a scrum where Joes captain Vishmitha Pieris powered through the Thora defense to help Joes get in front. Dulith Fernando failed to convert. (SJC 08-03 STC)
S. Thomas College had a golden opportunity after Joes conceded an easy penalty in the kicking range to Thora but fly-half Ferdinando squandered the opportunity. Joes pounced on the missed chance by the Thomians to extend their lead in the game as prop- forward Stephan Gregory scored off a quick tap. Dulith Fernando successfully converted the try. (SJC 15-03 STC)
Joes scored their third try as prop forward Stephan Gregory crossed over the white line for the second time in the game as he received a marvelous pass from the Josephian scrum half to extend the lead. Dulith Fernando converted successfully. (SJC 22-03 STC)
The game saw its first yellow card as Joe’s hooker Devon Fernando was given ten minutes in the sin bin. Thomians were reduced to 14 men themselves when their lock forward A.H.R Senanayake was sent off.
With minutes remaining in the half captain, centre and power house Vishmitha Pieris scored his second of the game to extend their lead further. Dulith Fernando converted successfully. (SJC 29-03 STC)
Half time: Joes 29-03 S Thomas
Joes started the second half from where they left of as speedster Shasheen Sudaraka shimmied his way through a lazy S Thomas defense to score in the corner and start the second half rally and score the fifth try of the game for Joes. Dulith Fernando missed the conversion (SJC 34-03 STC)
The Josephians continued to dominate as Stephan Gregory powerfully ran straight through the Thomian defense and set up Hasuru Gunawardana to score the seventh try of the game to put the result of the game in no doubt. Dulith Fernando failed to convert yet again. (SJC 39-03 STC)
The game saw more yellow cards as Joes prop forward Stephan Gregory was shown a yellow card for an infringement in the line out. But the sin binning did not stop Joes from scoring more tries as scrum-half Vimukthi Rahula scored in the corner to further torture the Thomians. Dulith Fernando missed the conversion. (Joes 44-03 Thora)
S. Thomas managed a solitary try as their flanker K.D.S.A Nanayakkara scored in the corner after good pressure from the Thomians. P.H.K.L De Silva failed to convert the try. (SJC 44-08 STC)
Josephian flanker Minura Randula rounded off a superb performance for Joes as he scored under the post from a skillful pass from Vimukthi Rahula to seal an emphatic win for Joes. Raveen Antonio converted successfully. (SJC 51-08 STC)
Full time: Joes 51-08 S Thomas
ThePapare Player of the match: Vishmitha Pieris (Josephian Center, captain)
