A try in the 67th minute gave St. Joseph’s College a narrow victory by 26 points (3 tries, a conversion, 3 penalties) to 22 (3 tries, 2 conversions, a penalty) over Zahira College in their schools league rugby encounter for the Dialog Trophy played at Maradana yesterday.
Until that time Zahira were leading 22 points to 19 against the heavier Joes and unfortunately their defence could not tighten up knowing very well that the Joes will endeavour to find the moves.
Zahira went into the second half trailing by six points and were quick to get ahead. They won a line out and on working the blind side had TIM Shahid go over for a try by the corner flag two minutes into the half.
This try was converted very well by Basith Feroze from an acute angle and they took a one point lead.
Ten minutes later the Joes got another opportunity to get ahead and earned a penalty with the Zahirians playing from an off side position.
Beeshma Jayasekera kicked right from 25 metres out to go ahead once again 19-17.
After a period of even exchanges for twenty minutes Zahira went ahead once again. This time they worked their three quarters and full back Rahath Saldin came in from the outside and was sent over by the corner flag.
Basith failed with the conversion but Zahira went ahead again 22-19 with only a few minutes of play left.
The Joes using their heavy forwards made advances to earn a penalty when Zahira’s players were off-side and on taking a short tap prop forward Induawara Rodrigo forced his way over the line.
This time the Joes managed to convert this try through Beeshma Jayasekera and take a 26-22 lead until full time.
The Joes in the first half took lead by 16 points to 10 with the help of two unconverted tries after a penalty was put over by Jayasekera.
Zahira equalized through a penalty put over by Basith Feroze from 22 metres out and went ahead when they won a line out and Abdullah went over for a try.
Feroze converted to give them a 10-3 lead at that point.
With Zahira leading 10-6 until the 33rd minute of the first half the Joes scored their first try through prop forward Shehan Malinda who barged over.
They scored again two minutes later through a three-quarter move with centre Malshan Dewmin putting the finishing touches for an unconverted try.
