St. Joseph’s College were pipped after the 70th minute by DS Senanayake College, 36 (5T 4C 1P) – 37 (6T 2C 1P), as the hosts failed to hold on, conceding 11 points in the last 10 minutes to see their lead dissolve and succumb to their first defeat to the Senanayakians in 32 years in the Dialog Schools’ Rugby League.
The hosts came into the game with an unchanged XV, knowing that a win would secure them the Plate Championship. DS, on the other hand, had to pull off a surprise if they were to stay alive in the race for the Plate.
The Josephians started off in fine fashion as Malshan Dewmin scored in the 3rd minute of the game. The try went unconverted off the boot of skipper Beeshma, and the score remained in favour of the hosts. (SJC 05-00 DS)
Malshan Dewmin assumed kicking duties, lining up a penalty from beside the left upright. However, his failure to slot over the penalty meant that skipper Beeshma reassumed kicking duties off the tee.
It took the home side just two minutes to score their second through Janith Marasinghe, as the newly selected Sri Lanka representative stepped through the DS defence to score the Josephians’ second. Beeshma added the extras as the hosts took a 12-point lead. (SJC 12-00 DS)
DS struck back as the Josephians failed to clear their lines from the restart. DS lock forward Demika Mindinu was the beneficiary, as Tatheera Perera slotted over the extras to make it a 5-point game at the end of 20 minutes. (SJC 12-07 DS)
The two kickers exchanged penalties; however, the 5-point cushion for Joes continued into the final 10 minutes of the half.
DS struck on the brink of halftime through their lanky blind-side flanker Dushal Ayeshmantha, but a horror conversion by Tatheera from close range meant there was nothing separating the two sides at the break.
Half-time: St. Joseph’s College 15 (2T 1C 1P) level with DS Senanayake College 15 (2T 1C 1P)
The second half began in similar fashion to the first, with the Josephians scoring through big prop forward Isuru Chathuranga, as Joes reclaimed the lead following Beeshma’s conversion. (SJC 22-15 DS)
The visitors struck back straight away through hooker Praveel Lakmal, but Tatheera’s kicking woes continued as he failed with yet another kick off the tee, and the Senanayakians continued to trail by 2 points. (SJC 22-20 DS)
Tatheera was sent to the bin for a high shot on the Joes halfback as DS slumped to a new low in the game. The lads from Maradana capitalised, scoring a converted try courtesy of Sathira Gunathilaka. This try was cancelled out by a try from DS No. 8 Sanu Perera, but the conversion was off target as the home side continued to lead by 4 points. (SJC 29-25 DS)
Bryan Fernando, playing at first-five in a No. 12 jumper, made a sublime break, fending off would-be tacklers to go over for his first try of the game as the home side extended their lead to 11 points, seemingly taking the game away from DS with just 10 minutes left on the clock.
Beeshma added the extras as the hosts looked set for victory. (SJC 36-25 DS)
The deficit came within touching distance as DS scored in the corner with just 4 minutes left on the clock. This try was converted by Tatheera in magnificent fashion, meaning DS needed just a try to secure the game.
Nathan overcooked the restart as pressure mounted on the home side with DS receiving a centre-field scrum.
They capitalised on the error, as a couple more penalties saw DS work their way into the Josephian red zone.
Past the 70-minute mark, DS used their massive prop forward Thimath Bogahawattha to drive over the try line, giving DS a famous win over St. Joseph’s. This win was their first in 32 years as they kept their hopes alive of securing the Plate Championship, going into the final week of league action.
Full Time: St. Joseph’s College 36 (5T 4C 1P) lost to DS Senanayake College 37 (6T 2C 1P)
Swisstek Perfect Player of the Match: Praveel Lakmal (DS No. 2)
Points Breakdown:
SJC: Malshan Dewmin 1T, Janith Marasinghe 1T, Isuru Chathuranga 1T, Sathira Gunathilaka 1T, Bryan Fernando 1T, Beeshma 4C, 1P
DS: Demika Mindinu 1T, Dushal Ayeshmantha 1T, Praveel Lakmal 2T, Sanu Perera 1T, Thimath Bogahawattha 1T, Tatheera Perera 2C, 1P
 – 37 (6T 2C 1P), as the hosts failed to hold on, conceding 11 points in the last 10 minutes to see their lead dissolve and succumb to their first defeat to the Senanayakians in 39 years in the Dialog Schools’ Rugby League.){kind=link}