St. Joseph’s College Maradana came up on top with a late surge at Bogambara to beat the Antonians earlier this evening. It was an even encounter till the 65th minute of the game with the Joes holding a one point advantage over the home team.
Both the teams failed get on the board till the 20th minute when Samuel Maduwantha put through an easy penalty from under the posts to give St. Anthony’s the lead. Referee Irshad Cader penalized the Josephians for having hands in the ruck. (St.Joseph’s 00-03 St.Anthony’s)
The Antonians minutes later extended their lead by another five points through their captain and center Dinuk Amerasinghe who touched down under the posts after having made a 30m dash towards the try line. A Garryowen was collected by the Joes full back before Mohommed Shabeer turned it over for the hosts. The turned over ball was then brilliantly spread wide through Maduwantha who had joined the attacking backline. (St.Joseph’s 00-08 St.Anthony’s)
Just before the half-time whistle St. Joseph’s replied with a try of their own. The scorer being Sachith Silva. After the building of phases was done by the forwards the ball was sent to the wing three quarter who stepped into the covering defender before diving into the left corner. Chathura Senevirathne failed to add the extras from the left flank. (St.Joseph’s 05-08 St.Anthony’s)
Mohommed Shabeer had a brilliant game today. He was excellent at the breakdowns and was instrumental in numerous turnovers for his side. Dinuk Amerasinghe and Jehan Seelagama were brilliant in defense and in attack in the first half as well for the Antonians. All this combined to give the Antonians a lead at the breather.
Half Time; – St.Joseph’s 05 (1T) – 08 (1T 1P) St.Anthony’s
Like in the first half the Antonians drew first blood through Samuel Maduwantha this time though it was through a penalty for a high tackle on an Antonian player. Samuel Maduwantha who has had a roller coaster of a season belted the 49m penalty neatly through the uprights without any issue. (St.Joseph’s 05-11 St.Anthony’s)
Both teams looked unsettled at the start of the second half but it was clear that the Joes were slowly but surely edging their away ahead in terms of play as the game progressed to the 60th minute mark. The forwards for the Joes were brilliant with their barging runs taking on the Antonians in full flight. Eventually the Antonian defense which had held strong gave way as the Josephian prop forward Shehan Eranga went over the try line with the help of his supporting teammate. Sachith Silva converted from the flank to give the Joes the ever important lead in. (St.Joseph’s 12-11 St.Anthony’s)
From this point on St. Joseph’s never took the foot of the pedal scoring again to drift further away from the Antonians. The captain Vinul Fernando was the architect of the try, making almost 60m from his own 22m before handing it over to Sachith Silva to go in for his second try of the game. This time it was Chathura Senevirathne who added the extras to give them an eight-point lead. (St.Joseph’s 19-11 St.Anthony’s)
In the dying minutes of the match Chathura Senevirathne who had a brilliant game with his thumping kicks and clever territorial kicks went over the line. After receiving the ball from the ruck he ran through a gap before driving over the line with two defenders on his back. That proved to be the final nail of the Antonian coffin. Sachith Silva failed to convert from the left corner. (St.Joseph’s 24-11 St.Anthony’s)
St. Antonians will next play Dharmaraja and Royal respectively, they will have to win to stay in the cup division. St.Joseph’s on the other hand has D.S.Senanayake and St.Peters to be played.
Full Time; – St.Joseph’s 24 (4T 2C) – 11 (1T 2P) St.Anthony’s
ThePapare.com’s Player of the Match: Chathura Senevirathne (St.Joseph’s)
Score breakdown
St.Joesph’s
Sachith Silva (2T 1C)
Shehan Eranga (1T)
Chathura Senevirathne (1T 1C)St.Anthony’s.
Dinuk Amerasinghe (1T)
Samuel Maduwantha (2P)
