St. Joseph’s College advanced to the final when they defeated Kingswood College 23-10 after a brilliant second half performance in their Milo Knock-out President’s Trophy rugby match held at the Sugathadasa Stadium yesterday while before thatThurstan College secured their final spot after beating St. Benedict’s College in the Prime Minister’s trophy semis at same venue.
The Joes collected their points via two tries, two conversions and three penalties to 10 (2 tries) after Kingswood took a 10-9 lead at half time. But it was Joes kicker Santhush Algama who brought his team nine points in the first half after they conceded a 10-0 lead.
The Joes opened the scoring through a 40-metres penalty put over by Algama when a Kingswood player held on to the ball.
Kingswood soon got into the action and scored their first try through Thumula Weligampola after which Mohamed Sheshan crossed the line to score their second try for a 10-3 lead. But it did take long for the Joes to reduce the lead 10-9 thanks to two more penalties from Algama, one for again holding on to the ball.
The Joes got their act together on resumption of the second half and scored their first try through Theeraka Santhush for Algama to convert followed by the Kavinda Keshan crossing the line to score. Algama made no mistake with the conversion to ensure the win. Kingswood paid dearly for some poor ball handling in the second half.
Today St Peter’s College will meet Wesley College in the second semi final at the same venue.
Ananda College will be meet St Anne’s College in the Prime Minister’s trophy semi final today at the same venue.