The unbeaten Trinity Lions were hosted by the Blue & White Josephian boys at CR & FC on the in a crucial encounter for both the teams.
Before the start of play all expected a David vs Goliath clash as all odds were in favor of Trinity lions.
Trinity fly half Tarinda Ratwatte kicked off from left to right and started the game on a perfect day for Rugby. Trinity forwards were in business from the start as they were attacking in Joes territory for 10 minutes before Trinity prop forward Basu Karunathilake barged over for a superb try under the post and Tarinda Ratwatte made no mistake with the conversion. ( Trinity 07 – Joes 00 )
After 15 minutes of attacking play from both the sides, Joes were awarded a penalty outside the Trinity 22 meter line but the Josephian fly half Dulith Fernando missed the posts. At the 20 minute mark Josephian\ prop forward Stephen Gregory scored the 1st try for Joes when he scored after several phases of attacking play by the Josephian forwards. Shamilka Kurumbalapitiya missed the conversion. ( Trinity 07 – Joes 05 )
Defensive errors made by the Josephians helped Trinity to stretch the lead when Trinity won a penalty just outside the Joes 22 meter line and Tarinda Ratwatte scored it with ease. ( Trinity 10 – Joes 05 )
The Josephians came back strong and reduced the lead to only 2 points when Josephian No.10 Dulith Fernando put over a penalty at the 25 minute mark. ( Trinity 10 – Joes 08 )
Josephian flanker Taariq Salih was shown the yellow card for obstructing by referee at the 32nd minute of the game and the Josephians were reduced for 14 players for 10 minutes but Trinity could not gain the advantage and score before the half time whistle, But the Josephian back line were in full flow and were attacking the Trinity defense at every possible time.
Just few seconds before the half time, Josephian prop forward Stephen Gregory went over for his 2nd try of the match to put Joes in lead. Dulith Fernando missed the conversion. ( Joes 13 – Trinity 10 )
Half Time : Joes 13 – Trinity 10
After the break, Trinity looked to gain possession and give their speedy three quarters to run and score, but the spirited and firm Josephian defence was too much for the boys from the hill country to break through. Trinity were down to 14 men when Trinity center B.D.M.Perera gave a late tackle to Josephian full back Shamilka Kurumbalapitiya at the 50 minute mark.
Both teams made handling errors throughout the match and missed great opportunities to score but the Josephian play maker Shamilka Kurumbalapitiya showed his class when he touched down near the corner flag sprinting 30 meters to chase down his own punt kick. Dulith Fernando missed the conversion. (Trinity 10- Joes 18 )
Josephians lost their hard working flanker Taariq Salih when he was penalized and shown the yellow card for the 2nd time and then he received the red card from the referee Charith Kodagoda at the 65 minute mark. Trinity used the advantage to score under the posts by their replacement scrum half N.Perera and Tarinda Ratwatte made short work of the conversion. ( Trinity 17 – Joes 18 )
The Josephians were defending with 14 men for the rest of the match and defended like they were defending their lives and stopped another mighty Trinity comeback in the dying stages of the match. The Colombo lads were in full delight when referee blew the final whistle ending the unbeaten streak of Trinity College and giving Joes a famous win.
After the match ThePapare.com caught up with Trinity College Head Coach Neil Foote and Josephian Skipper Jason Melder.
Neil Foote – “ Mistakes at crucial times cost the game for us and full credit to St. Joseph’s College for an impressive performance. “
Jason Melder – “It was a win we gained through Team Spirit and Dedication. All with Lord God’s Grace “
