St. Joseph’s late burst too much for Kingswood
St. Joseph’s came back in the latter stages of the second half against Kingswood to pull off a comfortable 24 points to 17 victory in the Singer Under-20 Inter-Schools Division I ‘A’ rugby encounter played at Longdon Place yesterday to record their third win. The Josephians having trailed 10-12 at the breather, made up their points through a goal, a try and four penalties against a goal and two tries scored by Kingswood.
The two teams came into the field having recorded two wins each and with the sides evenly balanced as expected the game ended in a close finish though the Josephians ended with a comfortable eight points win. It was the Josephians who made the first move with the game six minutes old through a try scored by scrumhalf Vimukthi Rahula and fullback Shamilka Kurumbalapitiya adding the extra points to take a 7-0 lead.
But the Kingswoodians who are known for their gritty performance had the Josephians under pressure as they succeeded to reduce the lead in the 21st minute from an unconverted try scored by No.8 Senesh Kaushika. Three minutes later St. Joseph’s increased their lead with a penalty booted by Kurumbalapitiya before Kingswood winger Chathura Seneviratne’s try converted by fullback Reza Rafaideen helped them to take over the lead 12-10.
The Josephians had an opportunity of surging ahead but a penalty offered just before the short whistle was fluffed by Kurumbalapitiya with which the short whistle was blown. On resumption the Josephians going into the attack succeeded in taking over the lead in the third minute by a penalty kicked by Kurumbalaptiya. Kurumbulapitiya helped his side increase the lead when he booted another penalty offered four minutes later. The game was set to end in a close finish with the two sides sharing honours of the proceedings. With the Josephians leading 16-12, they surrendered the lead to their opponents in the 16th minute as Reza Rafaideen, who has been in top form this season, went over for a try for Kingswood. Despite the conversion going astray the Randle Hill boys took a slender one point lead, 17-16.
The Josephians though were in their opponent’s territory for most of the time lacked the crucial finish and grassed many scoring opportunities. It took another 15 minutes for the next scoring to be done until Josephians were given the leaf from a penalty booted by Kurumbalapitiya. Seven minutes later Josephian prop forward Stephan Gregory almost sealed the game when he went over for a try. Even though the conversion was fluffed, the Josephians held on, to end the game to record their third win.
Referee – Gamini Indrasena