The first semifinal of the Inter-university Rugby XV’s Championship unfolded between the University of Sri Jayawardhanapura and the Sabaragamuwa University at the picturesque Nittawela Rugby Fortress recently. Runners-up of the previous edition, the Ja’pura lads, dominated the game by successfully overcoming the Sabaragamuwa challenge to seal their spot at the prestigious final encounter.
Though Sabaragamuwa lads managed to keep Ja’pura players under pressure in the initial minutes, Ja’pura counter-attacked with their vibrant three-quarters. Ja’pura managed to break the defensive line in the middle of the pitch, and the fullback Pathum gave good support to collect the offload and ran all the way to score the first try of the game. (USJP 05 – 00 SU)
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After a couple of minutes, the Ja’pura brigade invaded Sabaragamuwa territory and earned a scrum in their favour. There the nippy fly half broke the defence line with a show-and-go move and advanced near to the try line. Then the ball was worked to the left side, and the big 2nd rower went over the line along with a tackle to score back-to-back tries for Ja’pura. (USJP 10 – 00 SU)
Later the Ja’pura launched an aggressive attack from their backs along with good support play. After brilliantly working the ball, Ja’pura winger Pushpawila ran to the far end, cut back inside, and planted a brilliant try. His solo effort was supported by the Sabaragamuwa players as they made numerous missed tackles on him. (USJP 15 – 00 SU)
Then Sabaragamuwa managed to stop the try fest of Ja’pura and fight back against their formidable opponents. But the side led by ex-Maliyadeva captain Kaushalya Gunaweera weren’t able to convert their good efforts into points due to a few handling and other mistakes. After a scoreless 20 minutes, Ja’pura came near to the tryline as Sabara players were guilty of collapsing a scrum, and their big prop forward scored the fourth try in front of the Kandy SC clubhouse. (USJP 20 – 00 SU)
Half Time : University of Sri Jayawardhanapura 20 (4 T) – 00 Sabaragamuwa University
In the second half, Ja’pura earned a scrum at the center of the field, and they launched a blindside attack with the three-quarters. As the Sabara brigade failed to stop the rally, powerful centre Pieris went over for another try for Ja’pura. After four failures, Ja’pura full back Pathum nailed the conversion to add the extras. (USJP 27 – 00 SU)
Later, Ja’pura players advanced near to the try line through a timely punt kick, and the Sabaragamuwa skipper made a mess of it, and the referee decided it was a knock forward. After having a scrum at an advantageous position, Ja’pura forwards also came into the party with a try through a pick and go phase. The towering centre, Pieris made no mistake with the conversion. (USJP 34 – 00 SU)
While Sabaragamuwa enjoyed some possession, the Ja’pura prop forward did well to steal the ball at a tackle and came back strong with a counter attack. As usual their backs were exceptional with passes and supporting play, just like in the sevens format. Finally the fly went over the whitewash for another try with a show and go and a side step by deceiving the defense.
Later Sabaragamuwa got a penalty for offside play by Ja’pura, and they decided to put something on the board by their boots. But the penalty kick missed the target by a slender margin.
During the last fifteen minutes of the play, both the teams had good scoring opportunities, and they couldn’t capitalize on those due to a few silly mistakes and their tired bodies. At the brink of the long whistle, Ja’pura forwards applied tremendous pressure on the Sabaragamuwa defense and finally they knocked on the ball, and it was the final play of the game.
At the end of the day, Ja’pura dominated the proceedings, and the outfit led by former Royal College fly-half Raveen Shenuka will face the challenge from defending champions, University of Colombo.
Full Time : University of Sri Jayawardhanapura 39 (7 T, 2 C) – 00 Sabaragamuwa University
