Rugby: Joes kick-off in style, beating both Thurstan and rain

St. Joseph’s College, marked their maiden victory at the 2025 edition of the Schools Rugby League against Thurstan College, at a weather-stricken semi paddy field-like CR&FC, at Longdon Place. The Joes rolled over Thurstan by 26-5.

The poor condition of the playing field owing to continuous downpours, made ball handling, sprinting and place kicking, a daymare for both teams.

Nevertheless, the Saints’ persistence in driving through the opposition defence yielded fruitful results, more or less evenly in both halves. Joes managed to correct their major lineout issues from last week to near-perfection.

However, as for the offenses, they were similar to their last outing. The Saints were saintly once again in the prior half committing just two wrongs, but raked seven more in the latter half. Although nine offenses for the whole game is a decent figure, why not strive to make it four or five in the whole game, particularly since Joes showed that they are capable of holding it together in one half.

Besides, teams such as S. Thomas’ College and Science College have already proven that it can be done. Reducing the penalty count would hand out fewer invitations to one’s front yard, which would make it harder for the stronger teams to attack, advance and score points. This should be duly considered and materialised before the Royal and Trinity games.

While it’s usually hard to even get the straightforward place kicks right, under muddy and slippery conditions, Joes were able to further jolt Thurstan with their technique and accuracy, most of the time. If they could extend this feat to the kicks taken from the touchlines, it would truly help when battling out with the tougher sides. The Saints excelled in defending their territory well enough to concede only a solitary try by the visitors.

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