Inter school league rugby runners-up St. Joseph’s College go out as favourites over the enterprising Wesley College team in the second semi final of the knock-out championship at Havelock Park today with the winners set to meet Isipathana in the final.
An Isipathana versus St. Joseph’s College match is the most appropriate finale as the Joes are the only team that can give the league champs a match-up as the second best team in the 2022 inter school season.
Isipathana won their place in the final after beating Dharmaraja College 38-6 in the first quarter-final and overcame S. Thomas’ College 29-13 in the semi final proving the quality and their style of play.
What Isipathana will be most concerned about will be having to contend with a very powerful Joes pack which is what makes the final a match to look forward to.
The six tries for Isipathana against Dharmaraja were scored by Mesada Rashminda (2), winger Rinesh Silva, Soorya Dodangoda, prop forward Praveen Stefan and full back Malith Mihisara.
St. Joseph’s College thrashed St. Anthony’s College by 34 points to 14 to secure their place in the semi final.
For the Joes their five tries were scored by Deshan Tharuka (2), Number Eight Naveen Marasingha, flanker Sachinthana Waidyanatha and Randika Dahamjaya with fly half Dilhara Subash slotting in the three conversions and the solitary penalty.
Wesley booked their place as one of the most improved teams when they came up with a thundering second half performance to outplay Science College by 38 points to nil.
For the blazing Wesley outfit the six tries were scored by winger Maleesha Thirangama, winger Nithila Rodrigo, Hafiz Thabeeth, flanker Chamodh Nimsara, scrum half Shane Hopwood and skipper Tharusha Jayaweera while Hopwood slotted in the four conversions to give the Wesley double blues a remarkable win in the end.
The Thomians were never expected to go beyond the semi final when they met Isipathana after beating Vidyartha College by 35 points to 19 in a one-sided quarter final.
For the Thomians their five tries were scored by winger Jayden Kock, second row forward L.S Perera, Reshane Dwight, scrum half Mahith Perera and hooker Shehan Selvanayagam with reliable fly half Yehan Bulathsinghalage put over the five conversions.