By Shannon Nicholas

St. Joseph’s College proved to be too strong to handle as they recorded a sensational 26 points to 16 points win over Wesley College in their Inter-Schools Under-19 League Rugby Tournament Cup Segment opening fixture worked off at Havelock Park on Friday (11).

The Josephians managed to score four goals and an unconverted try while the Wesleyites were able to register only two tries and two penalties.

St. Joseph’s dominated the game and drew first blood 10 minutes into the game when Gemunu Chethiya overpowered the Wesley defence and crossed over the line. Santhush Algama converted to make the scores read 7-0.

Wesley started pushing up-field and were awarded with a penalty which was converted by M. Subair.

After a sudden surge the Wesleyites managed to score through Kavindana Perera, who planted a try after collecting a crucial pass from Sasindu Sansaja.

The conversion was wasted and Wesley took a close 8-7 lead.

The lead was short lived however, when Naveen de Silva pulled a brilliant try in favour of the Joes, making the scores read 14-8 with the conversion, just before Referee Rohan Fernando blew for half time.

Wesley had their highest moment of the game first when Ryan Samuel pulled off a try and then a penalty by Subair four minutes later which put them ahead of their opponents.

The try was disallowed at first but with the intervention of the Television Match Official (TMO), Wesley were awarded the points.

A sudden burst of energy was shown by the ‘Double Blues’ following the try which helped them to score a penalty, amending the scores to 16-14.

Gemunu, who was brilliant throughout, got the Josephians back on track when he displayed a great sprint to touch down after showing off a cheeky flick over an opponent.

Algama missed the conversion for the first time in the game, but the Joes got a 19-16 lead nevertheless.

Gemunu put the salt in their opponents’ wounds when he went over the line once again. The centre was unmarked and it was easy pickings for him to score his third try of the evening.

With a successful conversion, the scores were changed to 26-16.

Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana