St. Joseph’s and S. Thomas’ will be gunning to draw the curtain on a below par season, capping it off with the Lady Jayathilake shield.
Past encounters:
The first ever game to be played between these prestigious schools was way back in the year 1955 in which the Thomians came up 8-6 winners. The Thomians were captained by K.S Anandan while the Josephian by Mahendra Dias.
This game turned into a Shield game in 1965 as old Josephian Lucian Jayathilake donated the Lady Jayathilake Shield in remembrance of his mother.
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From then on an eagerly awaited and fiercely contested fixture, in which the Thomians have come up on the winning side on 36 occasions while the Josephians, winning just 11 times. Two draws since.
The total tally reads, 44 wins to the Thomians and 11 wins to the lads from Maradana while there have been two draws to round off a total of 57 matches.
The last time these teams met:
The Thomians came up 32-3 convincing winners under the leadership of Pandula De Silva in 2016. The game was played at CR & FC and was a close encounter at the end of the first half as the Thomians took a 5-3 lead.
The second half was a totally convincing display by the Thomians who stormed past the Josephians, leaving them in the dust.
Previous results:
2008 SJC won 19-15
2009 STC won 38-19
2010 STC won 34-25
2011 SJC won 24-18
2012 SJC won 37-26
2013 STC won 39-17
2014 SJC won 51-08
2015 SJC won 27-25
2016 STC won 32-3
Current Season
St. Joseph’s College
The start of the league did not go as planned with two early losses to Royal and Isipathana but four wins on the trot from then on spurred the lads from Mardana, handing them a slender chance of a championship.
Wesley College and Trinity College dashed all hopes in the weeks to follow as the Josephians now have a season to revive and will be hoping to end on a high with yet another trophy in the shape of the Lady Jayathilake shield.
Players to watch: Look out for Sachin Silva, the winger who brought on the Razzle Dazzle in to the Josephian back line and even went on to top the points scorers list. Keep an eye on Gihan Perera as well who is the single driving force behind the Joes team.
S. Thomas’ College
Runners up from last year, Thora had a rather good start winning their first two games against Prince of Wales and Zahira but two defeats soon after to Wesley and Trinity meant they had a lot to do if they were to replicate last season. A win over Science in the final game helped their cause coming into round two.
The second round started in cruel fashion as they lost to Royal and Isipathana – two hard fighting defeats – signaling the end of any hope of replicating last season’s finish but a win against the Josephians could go a long way, helping them secure a mid-table finish.
Players to watch: Keep a close eye on Christian De Lile, the number 8 who was up to expectation against Royal and Isipathana and will be seeking to end the season on a high. He along with Dion Dias, linked up seamlessly in the two defeats but if their combination continues, they will surely be a worry for the visitors.
Predictions: expect an evenly matched affair. Joes to win by five points.
Date: Saturday, May 13
Venue: Havelock Park
Kick-off: 16:00 local
>> WATCH LIVE: S.THOMAS’ COLLEGE V ST.JOSEPH’S COLLEGE
