Joes fashion a good win but the Devans not disgraced
A Joe on the go against the rookies - Pic by Priyantha Wickramaarachchi
The Joes were expected to win and they duly did so. However, the Devan resistance, at times, must have taken them by surprise. Ultimately, the Joes fashioned a 45 (5 goals, 2 tries) to 17 (1 goal, 2 tries) win over Maliyadeva. The winners had too much power and pace for their opponents. That being the case, Maliyadeva were up against it and spent a good part of the match in defence. However, their tackling was very good– low and hard, and on many occasions they stopped the Joes in their tracks.
Adeesha Perera started the scoring by picking up the ball, when the defence blinked, and running around 15 yards for an under-the-posts try. Fly half Santush Algama converted this–the first of five.
Not caving in, the Devans fought back fiercely. They moved the ball out wide. A Devan drew the last defender and set up S.C. Herath, who was on the outside to go over. The conversion by S.D.I. Herath tied the score at 7-all.
This was all the scoring by the Kurunegala lads in the opening half. The Joes took over and ran in three tries for a 28-7 lead at half time.
Rather unwisely, a Maliyadeva defender kicked straight into the hands of an opponent who collected and promptly set off for the line. John Ganegoda linked up and went over (14-7). Imesh Dissanaike cut through the defence to race along the line, fight off three defenders and score deep right. With Algama on song, the score now read 21-7.
Adeesha Perera was in the spotlight once more when he scored late in this half, ending up under the posts. Influential centre Shan Akila left the field early on account of injury.
A long punt followed by a hectic chase saw a Maliyadeva player being nabbed almost on the line. Off the ensuing maul, John Ganegoda was able to touch down for his second try. This was not converted.
Nehan Perera scored next for Joes when he picked up and squeezed his way to make it 40-7.
Scrum half D.P. Piyaratne, who was quite outstanding, set up Maliyadeva’s second try. He made a break, ran round the defence and sent it out for Herath to touch down once again (40-12).
A couple of handling errors scuppered Maliyadeva’s chances of scoring. However A.M.V.D. Atapattu was able to score after the Devans charged at the Josephian defence and found a way through (40-17). Tharindu Maduranga put the finishing touches to the last Josephian try.
There was a drizzle throughout the match and even though the ground must have taken a beating, the playing surface was surprisingly good.
The Josephians will play the winner of the Isipathana-Wesley game in the semi-final.
Beaten, but not disgraced, that about sums up the Devan effort. It could be said that given another year or two, coach Ananda Kasturiarachichi (a former Kandy SC skipper) could shepherd this team into the elite group. Referee – Priya Suranga