St. Joseph’s college overcame a spirited D.S Senanayake outfit by 12-05 in a scrappy game of rugby played at CR & FC grounds on Friday to start the 5th week of the Singer Schools Rugby League 2014.
Both teams faced each other after a series of disappointing losses throughout the season and the boys from Darley Road needed a win to assure any chance of progressing to the cup tournament. Josephian full back and play maker Shamilka Kurumbalapitiya started off the proceedings of the match on a perfect day for open rugby.
Josephians showed early intent in giving the ball to their backs n spreading the DS defense wide as Joes were mingling with the DS defense for the first 10 minutes but the butterfingers of the Josephian players prevented them from crossing the DS try line.
Strong-willed DS Senanayake took the early lead in the 13th minute when Dons center three quarter Chamindu Udana intercepted a pass from a Josephian player and crossed the try line. Udara Sasmin missed the conversion. (Joes 00 – DS 05)
DS Senanayake lads missed a high number of tackles and made errors at crucial breakdowns and gave away possession to the opponents but the Josephians failed to capitalize on many times as they were guilty of not playing to their usual brand of rugby.
Burly prop forward Stephen Gregory scored the equalizing try for the blue & white college in the 21st minute of the game when he barged over under the posts after several attacking phases. Shamilka Kurumbalapitiya added the extra points to put the Josephians in the front on the score board slightly. (Joes 07 – DS 05)
Joes attacked with their strong forwards and won the ball on several occasions but silly mistakes enabled DS Senanayake team to get out of their shell. Both teams could not add any more points to their score before the half time whistle as the lowest ranked schools in the group 2B segment went into the half time with the intention of making a different game plan to win the much important relegation battle.
Half Time: St. Joseph’s 07 – D.S Senanayake 05
After the break, both teams looked to settle down quickly and dominate the game. Hard working Dons flanker Amri Bahudeen was sent to the sin-bin by referee Dinka Peiris in the 45th minute for a dangerous tackle.
St. Joseph’s extended their slight two point lead when the nippy wing three quarter Romesh Priyankara also known as ‘Cheetah’ found enough space to sprint away and score the 2nd try for the Josephians as the clock read 53 minutes into the game. Fly-half Raveen Antonio failed to add the extra points. (Joes 12 – DS 05)
Courageous DS Senanayake players were excellent in defense and played with great heart throughout the game to stop the marauding Josephians. Joes misery of giving away unnecessary penalties continued to torment their chances of scoring tries and get away with the game unlike other teams who faced DS Senanayake college. Josephian first five-eighth had a terrible game as he was unable to give away priceless ball to his backs which spoiled the momentum created by their hard working forwards.
DS Senanayake was awarded a penalty in front of the posts in the 65th minute after the Josephian defense line was offside but the Dons place kicker tried to kick to the corner post to let his wingers on the run and try to fool the Josephian defenders but the plan backfired as they missed an easy three points.
Josephians lost the services of their brilliant flanker Minura Randula in the 72nd minute after he was yellow carded for an infringement on a breakdown. DS Senanayake boys fought valiantly in the last 10 minutes to level the scores but they had no finishers in their ranks to penetrate the Josephian defense as Dinka Peiris blew the long final whistle to end a scrappy affair.
Full Time: St. Joseph’s 12 – D.S Senanayake 05
Josephian kicking coach NalakaWeerakkody expressed his thoughts on the game after the match; “Honestly, We are disappointed with our performance though we won. DS Senanayake team played extremely well today. “
ThePapare Player of the Match – Vimukthi Rahula (Josephian center/scrum half)
