Wesley College managed to get over the line 23-14, beating opponents St. Joseph’s College in a closely contested game at CR& FC.
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Three first half penalties off the boot of player of the game Avishka Lee and two second half tries was good enough for Wesley as they got over the line against a Josephian team that laboured to no avail.
The game was predicted to be a side-to-side, quick paced match as both teams boasted fearsom back lines, but the early exchanges displayed a different picture.
Both teams took time to settle as a month of rest mid-season seemed to have brought about a rusty look to both teams, even though Wesley battled Kingswood last weekend.
The Josephians made inroads into the Double Blue half but lacked the finishing touch as three visits into their red zone brought about no points.
Wesley, on the other hand punished the rusty Josephian defense as linchpin, scrum half Lee booted over three of four opportunities received to help the Double Blues take a slender lead going into halftime.
Half Time : Wesley College 09 (3P) – 00 St. Joseph’s College
The Josephians headed out with a point to prove and a game to revive.
This time around the Josephians got out of the blocks quicker and scored first to keep the spectators on the edge of their seats.
Wesley College failed to secure their own line-out and were punished as skipper Vinul Fernando beat the final defender to touch down beside the post.
The Josephian captain sprinted past the final defender, making the extra man count as center Avantha Lee was sin binned with minutes remaining in the first half.
Chathura Senevirathne converted successfully in the absence of Sachith Silva, who missed out due to injury. (WC 09-07 SJC)
The game swung from side to side but it was the Wesly-ites who managed to catch the game by the scruff of its neck and dictate terms.
Opposition skipper Denister Goonathilake was an instant hit off the bench as he made sure to keep the Josephians at bay with a try as the visitors looked to get back into the game.
The Wesley skipper found himself in the right place at the right time as he used some quick thinking to pick and go off the ruck to dive over the line. Lee added the extras to restore the nine point lead. (WC 16-07 SJC)
The Josephians came into the Wesley half and red zone, time and time again with points available for the taking but their wasteful play in the game meant the opportunities went a begging.
With time running out, the Josephians threw the kitchen sink at the Wesley defense, breaking through with a suspect try.
This time it was replacement scrum half for the Josephians, Channa Ashoke who found himself in the right place at the right time to pick and go, catching the opposition off guard, dotting down beside the upright.
Chathura Seneviratne added the extras, making it a two point game with just minutes left on the clock. (WC 16-14 SJC)
A brain freeze by Gihan Perera saw the number eight carry back the kick off into the in goal area which resulted in a 5-meter scrum for the Double Blue’s in the dying embers.
Two phases off the resulting scrum, standout players, the Lee brothers combined in what seemed like a try in the corner, only before a high tackle brought Avantha down, which resulted in a penalty try as Channa Ashoka saw yellow.
Brother Avishka converted from under the post to seal the deal and keep Wesley in contention for the title.
Full Time : Wesley College 23 (2T, 2C, 3P) beat St. Joseph’s College 14 (2T 2C)
ThePapare.com Player of the Match: Avishka Lee (WC scrum half)
Wesley Captain Danister Goonsthilake expressed his elation following the win, “I am very happy with our performance today, we expected more of a fight but what matters is that we got the win.”
Points Breakdown
Wesley College – Danister Goonathilake 1T, Penalty try, Avishka Lee 2C, 3P
St. Joseph’s College – Vinul Fernando 1T, Channa Ashoka 1T, Chathura Seneviratne 2C
