Text by: M. Shamil Amit / Pix by: Kushan Pathiraja

Wesley trailing St. Joseph’s 12-18 at the breather, came back with vengeance to pull off a stunning win 36-23 win in the prequarter final encounter of the Dialog Schools Knockout rugby tournament played at the Royal Complex ground.

Wesley scored three goals and three tries as the second half burst proved too much for St. Joseph’s who got a goal, two tries and two penalties.

The hero for Wesley was winger Kaveesha Dilhara who went over for three of the six tries his side scored with one try each coming from winger Parthana Rodrigo, prop forward Ashen Emmanuel and flanker Nahan Premachandra. Full back Abdul Haadhi converted the tries.

For the Josephians centre Beeshana Jayasekera scored two tries and skipper and centre scored the other try. Centre Malshan Dewmin converted the tries and two penalties.

The first half saw Malshan Dewmin landing a penalty in the eighth minute and the Josephians increased the lead five minutes later with Beeshana Jayasekera going over for his first try. Wesley reduced the deficit in the 16th minute from an unconverted try scored byParthana Rodrigo but the Josephians struck back three minutes later with Jayasekera going over for his second try which was converted by Dewmin.

Wesley fought back and succeeded to penetrate their opponents defence in the 23rd minute with Kaveesha Dilhara going over for his first try and the Joes replied with a penalty put over by Dewmin.

The second half saw Wesley coming into the game with a different game plan giving their opponents some torrid moments and succeeded in taking the lead in the sixth minute with Kaveesha Dilhara going over for his second try.

But that was short-lived as the Josephians took back the lead three minutes later with skipper Janith Marasinghe’s try. Wesley fluffed a penalty but they made amends five minutes later thanks to Kaveesha Dilahara’s third try which was converted by Abdul Haadhi for Wesley to take the lead 29-23.

Wesley had St. Joseph’s under tremendous pressure and they increased their lead further from a try scored by Nahan Premachandra and with Abdul Haadhi making the conversion, this turned out to be the final score of the match.

Referee: Ravin Alexander