St. Anthony’s College shocked the Rugby fraternity, defeating St. Joseph’s College 22 (3T 2C 1P) – 12 (2T 1C) in the season opener of the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2023.
The 2023 Dialog Schools Rugby League kicked off amidst cloudy conditions at Bogambara as Runner up from 2022, St. Joseph’s College took on St. Anthony’s College.
The Josephian coaches sprung a surprise lining Naveen Marasinghe in the Inside Center position. The Antonians on the other hand stuck to their guns, keeping skipper Sahan Keerthisiri in the fly-half position as he was tasked with pulling the strings for the home side.
>>Get to know your Dialog Schools Rugby League 2023 Coaches – Part 1<<
The Josephians opened the scoring through their forwards as Jehan Athukorala scored the season opener after Vihanga Randeepa made the early snipe. Ruchitha Rodrigo’s conversion from close range was charged down by Sahan Keerthisiri in a surprising fashion. (SACK 00-05 SJC)
It took the Antonians just 5 minutes to grab the lead in the game through Jude Realano as his try was converted by Keerthisiri in sublime fashion, raising a few eyebrows of the on-lookers. Failing to clear their lines cost St. Joseph’s as they trailed for the first time in the game. (SACK 07-05 SJC)
>>Photos – St. Anthony’s College vs St. Joseph’s College – Dialog Schools Rugby League 2023<<
The visitors, however, grabbed the lead back through Athukorala as his second of the first half restored the 5-point gap following Rodrigo’s successful conversion. Ruchitha made no mistake this time around from the tee to add the extras. (SACK 07-12 SJC)
Skipper Keerthisiri cut the deficit on the stroke of halftime as he made it a two-point game from in front as the Josephians took a slender lead into lemons.
Half time: St. Anthony’s College 10 (1T 1C 1P) trail St. Joseph’s College 12 (2T 1C)
The second half was action-packed, however, the Josephians failed to trouble the hosts try line nor their defense. It was all St. Anthony’s with cards, points, and celebrations.
>>WATCH – The Saints looking to March All the Way | St. Joseph’s College – 1st XV Rugby 2023<<
The wingers of the home side scored, both on the far side as the Antonian Eagles ran riot, even after half-back Oshan Gunaratne saw straight red for a silly tip tackle.
First, Omitha Dissanayake scored on the far side, adding the finishing touch to a well-worked move to extend the hosts’ lead. Keerthisiri, pulling strings from 10, made easy work of the conversion from the touchline, putting a cushion between the two sides. (SACK 17-12 SJC)
A red card, sandwiched between two yellows, opened the doors for St. Joseph’s, however, sloppy hands, ill-discipline, and wastefulness saw the visitors leave Bogambara empty-handed.
Open-side winger Roshane Kumara broke the hearts of the visitors as he scored with minutes left, soon after the Josephians were held up in goal on the opposite end. The conversion went astray, however, the game was sealed by Kumara, as the Eagles started off the season in the best possible fashion to leave the Josephians reeling. (SACK 22-12 SJC)
Scoreless in the 2nd half, St. Joseph’s will have plenty to put right before they head into their next encounter against Wesley while the Eagles host the Dons up in Kandy.
Full time: St. Anthony’s College 22 (3T 2C 1P) beat St. Joseph’s College 12 (2T 1C)
NDB Player of the Match – Sahan Keerthisiri (SACK Five-eighth and Captain)
Points Breakdown:
St. Anthony’s College: Jude Realano 1T, Omitha Dissanayake 1T, Roshane Kumara 1T, Sahan Keerthisiri 2C, 1P
St. Joseph’s College: Jehan Athukorala 2T, Ruchitha Rodrigo 1C
 - 12 (2T 1C) in the season opener of the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2023.){kind=link}