St. Joseph’s through with convincing win

By M. Shamil Amit

St. Joseph’s College cruised through to the second round of the Dialog Schools Rugby League tournament with a convincing 35 points to 20 win over St. Anthony’s College in their final league encounter played at Havelock Park yesterday.

St. Joseph’s, having conceded a first-half lead of 10-14 to St. Anthony’s, came back with vengeance to plant five tries in the second half to end their scoring with seven tries to a try and five penalties scored by St. Anthony’s.

The first half belonged to the Antonians who gave their opponents some anxious moments, drawing first blood in the fifth minute through an unconverted try by center Jiffry Zaki and five minutes later they surged ahead with fly half Sahan Keerthisiri booting over a penalty.

St. Joseph’s got into action as they planted back to back unconverted tries through winger Deshan Vimukthi and hooker Chamod Seneviratne.

But they were tied down afterwards and poor ball handling helped the Antonians take advantage, rewarded with two penalties which fly half Keerthisiri made no mistake in booting it over – the short-whistle blown with the Antonians in the lead 17-10.

The turnaround was completely different as the Josephians came into the field with a different game plan and playing with much more aggression, completely outclassed their opponents and scored a rain of tries.

It began with hooker Seneviratne going over in the fourth minute followed by center Mandara Amarasekera.

Seneviratne touched down for his third try of the match while prop forward Jehan Athukorala and Sithija Sanjeewa was responsible for the last two tires.

However though on the losing side fly half Sahan Keerthisiri had a successful stint as he booted over the penalty which was his fifth of the match and was the only scoring for the Antonians in this session.

The Josephians will now join Royal, Isipathana and Wesley to battle it out in the next stage of the tournament.

Referee – Dilum Deeshana