Joes’ win over S. Thomas’ was the highlight of schools’ rugby

by a Special Sports Correspondent

St. Joseph’s College winning the Lady Jayatilake Shield in their inter-school Division 1 Segment A Group 1 A match against S. Thomas’ College marked the highlight in the second week of matches of the schools’ league rugby tournament played on Friday and over the weekend.

The winners had to sweat for each point as the Thomians were hot on the heels of the blue and white jerseyed lads in a game where the deference in points between the two teams was two. Joes scored their points through four tries, two conversions and two penalties while the Thomians ran down three tries and converted two apart from slotting in three penalties. The final score read 30 points to 28 in favour of St. Joseph’s.

In the second half, the Thomians fought hard to level scores 17 all with a try and a conversion from Yehan Bulathsinhala. But the Josephians prevailed close to the end and sealed the game with a try by Naveen Marasinghe and two penalties by Dilhara Subash.

Up at Nittawela Science College did well to earn a face-saving 15-all draw against Dharmaraja College in a Division 1 Segment A Group 2 A match. Both teams collected their points through two tries, one conversion, and a penalty each.

On Sunday Vidyartha produced a surprise at Nittawela when they beat St. Peter’s by 11 points to 7 in a Division 1 Segment A Group 2A match. The winners collected their points through a try and two penalties while the Peterites collected their points through a try and a conversion.