Petes halts Joes winning streak

Ranjan Anandappa

St. Peter’s retained the Rev. Fr. Basil Wiratunga Shield for another year when they defeated St. Joseph’s by 24 points (2 goals, 2 tries) to 7 ( 1 goal) in a key school rugger match at Bambalapitiya yesterday.

The expected sparkle was missing specially in the first half due to lack of cohesive play by both sides which turned out to be a scrappy affair. The soggy ground conditions too, did not permit for open rugby as the forwards had to play a major part.

The Peterites opened scoring in the eighth minute off a scrum awarded in the Joes ‘25’ which resulted Ishan Noor scoring off a push over try.

Harsha Weerakkody gave the extra points. Noor struck once again in similar fashion to score an unconverted try, and the Peterites led 12-0 at the breather. On resumption the Joes gave a better display and in the tenth minute centre Priyan Perera touched down and Sachintha Maduranga put over the easy kick.

Joes played well in attack and defence, but their resources were insufficient to put the breaks on the Peterites who were playing under pressure with a slender lead. Two rapid tries in the dying stages helped Petes win.

Referee Dilroy Fernando.