The boys from Darley road after a strong comeback in the second half against the double blues managed to secure the second spot in the points table.
We are into the last week of the group stages in the Singer schools rugby league. St Joesph’s College played their final group stage match against Wesley College at CR & FC grounds. The Josephian after a convincing win over Kingswood in their previous match was focused on continuing their good run this season. Double blues on the other had nothing to loose, having lost three matches out of the four they have played, they had little chance in making any progress this season. Intentions were clear from the Joes as they hit hard on the double blues from the start. Their forwards was fierce as they have been right throughout the season. Few minutes into play the Joesaphians managed to force an error and won a penalty which was successfully converted into points by Shamilka Kurumbalapitiya. ( SJC 3 – WC 0)
The double blues were looking out of sorts in the first few minutes of the first half as they kept on making unforced errors, giving away possession very easily. The mighty Josephians seeked the opportunity and went on to extend their lead by scoring another penalty. It was easy pickings for Shamilka. Credit Should be given to their skipper Tariq Salih and Charana Chamika for coordinating the slaughter on the defense line of Wesley. ( SJC 6 – WC 0)
Ten minutes into the game and the Josephians were on the attack. Wesley on the other hand was finally starting to work the ball around. After a good passage of play by the double blues, DA Goonethilaka manged to find a way through to an absolute beauty of a try. Weslyites looked a different side for that few minutes when they totally outsmarted the Joesaphians. Coversion was successful by skipper Omar Kuthubdeen ( SJC 6 – WC 7 )
Wesley caught the Josephians off guard towards the latter part of the first half. Joes looked unsettled by this comeback by the double blues, kept on making unforced errors conceding penalties. Omar Kuthubdeen did not let the chance go a begging when they were awarded with a penalty inside the 22′ . Joes manged close in the deficit just before the half time through a penalty.
Half Time SJC 9 – WC 10
Going into the break Wesley College must have felt very confident about winning the match. But St Joesph’s had other ideas. Tariq and his team were lethal on the second half. They kept on going hard on the double blues, not letting them settle in. Five minutes to the second half, Joes managed take back the lead. Shamilka successfully used the penalty to go deep into Wesley territory. Then it was just easy pickings for their forwards. Stephan Gregory going over the try line to put Joes back on top. ( SJC 14 – WC 10)
They did not stop there. With the crowd backing them up, they kept on shoving at the Wesley defense. Wesley never looked like they could keep the Joesaphins away from the try line. Stephan Gregory powered his way through to his second try for the match. It was successfully converted by Shamilka. ( SJC 21- WC 10 )
Wesley managed to counterattack and gain some ground but they lost possession easily. Their loose play led them into conceding more points as the ball was stolen from the line out with Tairq Salih managing to score a much deserving try for his performance right throughout the match. Conversion was yet again successful by Shamilka. His place kicking was on the mark right from the start which lead the Joes to be on top most times during the match. ( SJC 28 – WC 10 )
The Darley road bunch managed to extend their lead when Romesh Priyankara went over the try line at the latter stages of the match. Unlike the previous three tries they scored, this try showed the colours of their runners. It clearly displayed how balanced they are as a team. ( SJC 33 – WC 10 )
Wesley managed to score a consolation try right before the final whistle through MA Hamidon. It was almost a carbon copy of their first try. Conversion wasnt successful. That was it for Wesley this year but for St Joesph’s its time for the knock out stages. St Joesph’s will be meeting Science College in their first knock out match in the coming weeks.
Full time score
SJC 33 ( 2 goals, 2 tries, 3 penalties)
WC 15 ( 1 goal, 1 try, 1 penalty)
ThePapare Player of the match – Shamilka Kurumbalapitiya
