Peterites fight back to beat Joes 36-24

Thushan JAYASURIYA

St.Peter's College maintained their supremacy in the annual Joe-Pete Rugby encounter for Rev.Fr Basil Wiratunga shield beating St.Joseph's College by 36 points (four goals, a try and a penalty) to 24 points (a goal, a try and four penalties)in the match played at Bambalapitiya yesterday.

St.Joseph's College dominated the first half. Three Penalties by fly half Rehan Thiyagarajah and a try by Vice Captain Jason Melder helped the Josephians to score 14 points to take a 14 – 7 lead at half time.However it was St.Peter's who opened scoring with a try by Dhanushka Ranjan and a conversion by Dulaj Perera.

Both sides were performing well and the spectators had glued their eyes to movements of the players.The try scored by Dilshan Perera which was converted by Dulaj Perera in the second half was the turning point for Peterites which broke the considerable margin between their opponents score which was at 24-15. Bhanuka Peiris supported the side with a try. Number 10 Dulaj Perera put over penalty.Saranga Dulan, Dilshan Perera and Shenal Aponso scored a try each while Dulaj Perera converted all the tries helped to lift the score to 29 points.

Though Josephians were leading in the first half, they couldn't continue the rhythm as their rivals were fighting with a strong defence. However St.Joseph's scored 10 (a penalty and a goal) points in the second half through Rehan Thiyagarajah, who obtain all 10 points. Peterites piled up 29 points in the second half while the Josephians were able to ontain only 10 points in this session

With this win, Peterites retained Rev Fr.Basil Wiratunga shield for the 13 th consecutive year . Irshad Cader referred.