St Anthony’s College Kandy took on the visitors from Colombo, St. Joseph’s College in the inter-school rugby league match at Bogambara today. Both teams came into play with a motive to annex their points in the table.
Two teams with vastly contrasting fortunes so far in the school’s rugby season came into the field in a winning mood and to promote their spots in the table.
Before the start of play, Bogambara had overcast conditions but was brimming with the home support. It was the home side who made the better start after an Antonian ball had driven the Joes pack 20 meters and the control mole was too good for the Joes to stand. It was the skipper Yakoob Ali who got the touchdown on the 3rd minute of play and Sajith Hemantha landed the conversion successfully.
Antonians continued to dominate territory but they kept missing their chances to extend their lead. On the 22nd minute Stephan Gregory of St. Joseph’s and S.A Weerasekara of St. Anthony’s were awarded yellow cards for the undisciplined acts in the field and was sent off to the sin bin.
On the 31st minute, Joseph’s outside center Hasiru Gunawardena brushed through the defense gleefully and touched down near the post and Dulith Fernando made no mistakes with his boots in converting it to a goal.
At the half time the scores stood at 7 all
The second half exposed an attacking mode of play but with pressure mounting high for both sides evenly. On the 56th minute, the Eagles were penalized and therefore the Joes got an opportunity to kick at goal and settle the visitor’s nerves but the kicker was well wide.
Due to the bad light in Bogambara, in the 60th minute referee blew the long whistle to conclude the day’s play.
It was a great game of rugby with both sides performing at their optimum but the weather condition results a draw. Both sides will have positives to take from the game but will surely go back to the drawing board on their game.
