Rugby: Sin binned Eagle’s shock Joes 22-12 at Bogambara

St. Anthony’s College, Katugastota, who wanted to erase their memories from last year’s season dismal performance which only resulted a solitary win, came out and played like a team that had its sight set on the title to beat last year’s runners-up of the Dialog Schools Rugby League, St. Joseph’s College 22-12 at Bogambara in Kandy on Wednesday. 

From the kick-off both sides played attacking rugby with the Antonians utilising the width of the Bogambara stadium with their speedy three quarters and the boot of skipper and playmaker Sahan Keerthisinghe, while the boys from Darley Road preferred to use their burley set of forwards to gain advantage.

The Eagles collected the points via three tries, two conversions and penalty, while the lads from Darley Road collected their points from two tries and a conversion.

On 15th minute of play the Josephians, who fielded a much heavier pack used their forwards to good use and drove over the Antonian line with prop forward Jehan Athukorale scoring the maiden try of the 2023 season of the Dialog Schools Rugby League.

Joes place kicker Rodrigo fluffed an easy conversion 20 yards front of the post as Keerthisiri charged it down as the score read 5-0 in favour of St. Joseph’s.

Just two minutes later, of a 15-yard lineout, the Antonians eight executed a perfectly synchronized rolling maul with hooker, Jude Rialano planting the ball on the Joes line. Keerthisinghe made no mistake with the conversion as the Eagles gained the lead 7-5.

On the 24th minute the Joes forwards led by skipper Marasinghe, breached the Antonian defenses to give Athukorale the opportunity to touchdown again on the right-side of the Antonian goalpost. Rodrigo made no mistake with the conversion for his side to regain the lead 12-7.

Five minutes before the short whistle, a player from the Joes pack was penalised and Sahan Keerthisiri, who was the highest points-scorer from last season, made no mistake with boot to add three points to the score.

At lemons Joes led 12-10.

In the second half of play on the 40th minute, Antonian winger, Dissanyake made no mistake to plant the ball in the far-left hand corner of the try line.

Keerthisiri, made it look easy of a very difficult kick from the corner to add the extra points as the Eagle’s regained the lead 17-12.

At the 48th minute, a superb defense by a much lighter Antonian pack which was also a man short, defended a ferocious attack from the Joes forwards by holding up a possible try.

On the 52nd minute the Antonian scrum half got the season’s first red card for a dangerous tackle.

Despite the Eagles were down to 13 men, the Josephinas however, were unable to make advantage due to poor ball handling and failed to capitalise the opportunities they got into points.

On the 65th minute, the Eagles repeated a superb combine effort by the pack and backs to seal the game with a try from Roshane Kumara on the left corner again.

Keerthisinghe missed the conversion, yet the Eagles finished off with a 10-point advantage.

The Antonians were back down to 13 men playing with the tight head prop forward being sin binned for another silly infraction.

However superb defensive play and by the Antonians and poor ball handling skills by St. Joseph’s prevented ended the game from without a single point being added to the tally as the Eagles registered a famous 22-12 win at the long whistle. 

Referee: Ishanka Abeykoon