Four try first half helped St. Joseph’s College regain the Lady Jayathilake trophy, beating S. Thomas’ 26-12 at Havelock Park.
A seem less first half – commanding scrum – they splintered Thora’s resolve — and they enjoyed far more possession in the ‘red zone’.
Thomas’ to their eternal credit, battled resiliently and showed admirable courage, but once St. Joseph’s started running with direct purpose, Thora lost the gain line battle and their foothold in the match.
Neither St. Joseph’s nor S. Thomas’ have had straight-forward years. Both promised to be title contenders but inconsistency cost dearly.
Of course, it was Sachith Silva who scored the opener – taking the Man of the Match award.
The Josephians, walking in as favourites, made four changes with Chathura Senevirathne surprisingly omitted.
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Thora decided to keep Christian De Lile on the bench as Dion Dias was moved to fullback but failed to stop the rot.
Tries were there for the taking and with a well drilled, smoothly oiled machine rumbling forward, the visiting eighth man – tipped to shine – scored their second.
Leading points scorer, player of the match Sachith Silva knocked over both conversions with relative ease putting a cushion between the sides. (STC 00-14 SJC)
Winger Silva absolutely terrorized the hosts and his next followed soon. He added a neat finish after some dazzling footwork to beat opposition winger and fullback to score in the corner.
Chathura Senevirathne, assumed the kicking duties,failing – as Silva was caught gasping for breath after his 70 meter run. (STC 00-19 SJC)
Sharith Nanayakkara gave the hosts something to cheer, adding the finishing touch on a measured Mayon Jayawardena run. The centers combined to rattle the scorers.
Dion Dias added the straightforward kick with ease giving the home team something to work off, if they were to get anything out of this match. (STC 07-19 SJC)
Chathura Senevirathne added the key imputes coming off the bench as Ravin Antonio laboured and looked rusty having lacked match practice.
The tactical substitution worked wonders as experience and match practice proved to be the making as Senevirathne beat five men on his way to the try line. Sachith Silva resumed the kicking duties and knocked over from in front with ease to extend the lead. (STC 07-26 SJC)
The visitors continued to dominate, aided by the home team who were sloppy, conceding more than 65% possession to the visitors.
Half Time: S. Thomas’ 07 (1T 1C) – St. Joseph’s 26 (4T 3C)
St. Joseph’s should have perhaps grabbed a couple more. They made a number of clean breaks but players looked left instead of right — and vice-versa — and chances were squandered in the second half.
This in turn gave the Thomians hope, and with an early try in the second half – from pre-match player to watch – Christian De Lile seemed the spur the home team on giving them a glimmer of hope.
The number 8 added the finishing touch on a rumbling maul which coasted through the heart of the Josephian defence that went to sleep. Dias failed with the touch line conversion as they were trailing by two converted tries. (STC 12-26 SJC)
With the defence gone to sleep, the Josephian attack looked tired and switched off. They lacked in basics, throwing unnecessary passes which meant scoring opportunities went a begging.
Referee Irshad Carder disallowed what seemed to look like a certain try – on second viewing – as Tehan Senevirathne was deprived of a try which could’ve put the game to bed.
Thora hung in but the visitors defence held firm to get the win and regain the Lady Jayathilake shield which was lost last year.
Full time: St. Joseph’s College 26 (4T 3C) beat S. Thomas’ College 12 (2T 1C)
ThePapare.com Player of the Match – Sachith Silva (SJC Wing three quarter)
Captain Vinul Fernando expressed his views following the win: “we had a superb first half, but the second was full of mistakes. We will rest, enjoy the win and come back next week after correcting our mistakes”
Points Breakdown:
St. Joseph’s College: Sachith Silva 2T, 3C, Gihan Perera 1T Chathura Senevirathne 1T
S. Thomas’ College: Sharith Nanayakkara 1T, Christian De Lile 1T, Dion Dias 1C
