The Josephians staved off a hot challenge from a spirited and nippy Rajans outfit to post a 19 points (2 goals, 1 try) to 17 (1 goal, 2 tries) win at Bogambara last evening. The most overworked player on the field was burly Josephian number eight Neelawela who was used as a battering ram to run at the Rajan forwards. Latterly this tactic didn’t quite work as the Rajans were ready for him.
The Rajan centers burst through the middle on a few occasions but the Joes tackled for dear life. Perhaps they should have moved the ball more as they looked much sharper in attack.
After an early period of dominance by the Joes, play was finally taken across and off a forward’s rush, Hapuarachchi fell over for the Rajans (5-0).Immediately, the Joes used the huge Neelawela to force his way over off a short tap taken close to the line. Umasanka converted and the visitors led 7-5.
The Rajans regained the lead when Wickremanayake went over after a series of five yard scrums. Wijesinghe converted. Rajans led 12-7.
The Josephian forwards struck back soon. The ball came out of a ruck and after several desperate efforts by the forwards, lock YD Keyser fell over for an unconverted try to make it 12 all at the break.
The Josephians used the rolling maul quite effectively and having got fairly close to the line Wanniarachchi touched down for Umasanka to add the extra points.
The ecstatic Joes were caught napping a minute or two later, when a delightful chip over the defence was collected by winger Madusanka who went over almost untouched. Wijesinghe missed putting it over and the Joes preserved their two point lead until the long whistle until the long whistle of Referee Irshad Cader.
The referee did not have the best of games and there was some angry questioning of some of his decisions. |
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