Joes crush Antonians 57-0
The Josephians scored as much as nine tries - Pic by M.A. Pushpakumara
St. Joseph’s College recorded a crushing 57-0 win over the hapless St. Anthony’s College Katugastota in the third quarter-final of the Dialog Schools President’s Trophy Tournament played at Havelock Park yesterday. The Josephians, having taken a comfortable 33-0 lead at the breather, accumulated their points through nine tries and six conversions.
In fact the Antonians fielded a depleted side as they came into the field without seven of their key players due to various reasons. It turned out to be a one-sided affair as the Josephians went on the rampage beginning from the fifth minute with Randika Dahamjaya going for a try and Ivano White adding the extra points.
They planted four more tries. In the ninth minute Chamod Senevirane, 20th minute Jehan Athukorala, 25th minute Ivano White and in the 32nd minute by skipper Naveen Marasinghe went over the line while White succeeded to boot over three conversions before the short whistle was blown with Joes leading 33-0.
The resumption was no difference as the Josephians again went on a scoring spree with Vihanga Randeepa going over for an unconverted try in the 42nd minute. This was followed by three more tries with Ashen Kumara scoring back-to-back tries in the 48th and 51st minute and Naveen Marasinghe in the 61st minute which was his second try of the match. White succeeded to convert two of the tries.
However, the match was called off four minutes before the long whistle due to an injury to a Josephian player. The player was rushed to the hospital. St. Joseph’s will now meet the winner of the fourth quarter-final clash between league champions St. Peter’s and Trinity scheduled to be played today at the same venue.
Referee- Aruna Shantha