St.Benedicts College beat St.John`s College 14 points to 10 in a crunch semi- final match played for the chairman trophy. Ben`s collected their points from two tries and two conversations and St.John`s collected their points from two tries respectively.
St.John`s college kicked off proceedings and had plenty of possession but could not turn it into points. The game lacked flow as handling errors from both teams saw many set pieces slowing the pace of the game. Referee Mahesh Senanayake had to speak to both captains several times to get both teams on their continuous infringements.
The lads from kotahena had a chance to put the first points on the board as they won a penalty in kicking distance as one of the St.Johns player was found offside. Unfortunately fly half Malitha Deshan missed the opportunity.
A moment later Lakdinu Radishan from st.John`s was sin binned for continuously playing offside. A minute later St.John`s College had a good chance to draw first blood but unfortunately one of their forwards was found guilty of not releasing the ball near the five meter try line. And the second caution came as V.P Kanagalingham from benedicts was sin binned for deliberately playing offside. And with that a disappointing half came to an end for both teams.
Half Time – St.Benedicts College 00 St.John`s College 00
St.Benedicts College kicked off the second half and both teams were hoping to put up a better performance compared to their first half performance. After winning a penalty St.John`s were meters away from the try line and with a patient build up from the forwards the ball came out and was worked towards the corner and Anjana Vinod put the final touches to round of play off a good passage . Unfortunately Vinod missed the conversation. (SBC 00 SJC 05)
St.John`s College were down to fourteen men as K.N Wickremasinghe was sin binned for illegal scrimmaging. The lads from kotahena immediately replied through a pick and go move they were able to score through B.M.L Perera and conversion was successful through Malitha Deshan. ( SBC 07 SJC 05)
St.John`s College had a good chance to regain the lead but missed an easy penalty. A moment later after a few good phases bens were able to extend their lead as they had a five meter scrum the No 08 B.M.L Perera collected the ball and scored in one movement. Deshan was able to put the conversion over. (SBC 14 SJC 05)
A moment later, Bens were down to fourteen men as Kusal perera was sin binned for a dangerous tackle. With a man advantage St.John`s were dominating play and were looking to take advantage. Winning a penalty in the opposite half, T.S Sally took a quick tap and scored creating an exciting closure to the game. But the conversion was missed.( SBC 14 SJC 10)
St.John`s was attacking and were meters away from the try line but as usual the errors were made at vital moments of the game. And with that Bens were able to hold off a spirited performance by St.John`s and book themselves in the final where they will meet Nalanda college in chairmen trophy final. Nalanda College got a walk over in their match against Nugewela Central.
Full Time Scores -St.Benedicts College 14 St.John`s College 10
Sin binned – St.Benedicts College – No 16 V.P Kanagalingham , No 15 Kusal Perera
St.John`s College – No 07 Lakdinu Radishan , No 03 K.N Wickremasinghe
Referee – Mahesh Senanayake
ThePapare man of the match – B.M.L Perera
