Defending champions Isipathana College came up with a tremendous 2nd half performance to bring down their traditional rivals Royal College in a pulsating Singer A division league fixture worked off at the Royal sports complex this afternoon.
The champions who suffered a demoralizing loss to St.Peters a week ago had to win to keep their title defense on track but in their way stood the technically brilliant and undefeated Royal outfit who were determined to keep their unbeaten streak this season. Royal’s Janidu Dilshan kicked off the days proceedings with Royal attacking the independence square end and from the word go it was the “Green Machine” that was in full flow working the ball through their speedy backs and finding good space in the flanks. After several threatening forays into Royal territory, the visitors consolidated their good start with a try in the 5th minute. The Isipathana backs got into action which saw Full back Chamod Fernando creating the overlap before drawing the last defender and passing the ball out to his 2nd rower Ravindu Anjula who was in support to score near the right corner flag. Randy Silva’s conversion attempt albeit from a difficult angle was not good enough. (RC 00 – IC 05).
Royal however came back storming into the game using their heavier forwards and rumbled their way into Pathana territory. Despite managing to hold off the royalists initially the visitors conceded a few back to back penalties. The royalists opted to kick the ball out to touch and set the platform for their deadly rolling maul and deadly it was. The famed royal “eight” drove back their opposition counterparts who never stood a chance as Hamza Reeza grounded the ball over the line. Nikhil George was spot on with the conversion to put his team ahead by a couple. (RC 07 – IC 05)
Play had to be halted by officials with both teams not complying with a new rule set by the SLSRFA with regards to the water carriers. After intervening by officials, the issue was sorted out amicably and the game resumed with the players testing each other’s defensive attributes. 35 minutes into the game, it was the hosts who doubled their score with Center Thulaib Hassen, forcing his way to the try line. After virtually parking themselves inside the 22’ the Royal forwards kept grinding their way forward inch by inch before the ball was sent out to Hassen who used his strength to shove his was way to the line from 5 meters out. Nikhil George was once again on target with the conversion as royal led by 9 points.
Isipathana came back strong and were dominating the hosts but poor decision making and ball handling errors put an end to their chances of reducing the deficit before the interval.
HALF TIME: ROYAL 14 – ISIPATHANA 05
A keen tussle was expected in the 2nd half but Isipathana were handed a lifeline back into the game by the royalists themselves. Poor ball handling by the Royalists saw the ball popping out loose and Isipathana’s Sudeera Gayanath was the first to react kicking it ahead into open space. Sudeera won the footrace and having managed to collect the ball shrugged off the attentions of a desperate Royal defender and dove over by the left corner flag. Chamod Fernando who took over kicking duties put over a spectacular conversion as Isipathana reduced the lead to a mere 2 points.
The try changed the complexion of the game as the momentum swung back in favour of the “Green Machine”. Another green attacking wave saw Isipathana bring play into Royal’s 22 and after a few pick and goes from close range the ball was sent out wide to Nadeesha Chaminda who added the finishing touches to a well- executed passage of play in the 50th minute. Chamod Fernando missed the conversion but Pathana were back in the lead. (RC 14 – IC 17)
Despite in the ascendancy Isipathana still showed some edginess in their defense and high ball collection. One such mistake saw Royal storm into their opponent’s half and after relentless pressure the Greens defense conceded a penalty just outside their own 22’. Replacement Winger Mohomed Shakir made no mistake with his kick at goal which leveled the scores. (RC 17 – IC 17).
A few minutes later the Royalists were once again inside their opponent’s half and yet again the visitors conceded a penalty in almost the same area as the first. This time however the hosts opted to go for the line out rather than the 3 points and that decision proved to be costly one with the Isipathanians stealing the line out ball and clearing their lines. It only got worse for the hosts as their prop forward was sent to the sin bin for a late charge which meant they had to finish the game with 14 men.
Sensing blood the visitors went flat out in search of match winning try using their mobile forwards and speedy backs to good effect. Yet despite being a man down the Royalists managed to keep things under control with some last gasp defending keeping their opponents in check.
Unfortunately for the home team, sustained pressure by their opponents saw them make a crucial mistake for which they punished. After retaining possession, the Royalists decided to run the ball from their own 22’ but a crunching tackle by Isipathana skipper Sumudu Rankothge on his opposite number saw the ball pooping out lose and Rankothge reacted first by pouncing on the loose ball and scampering under the posts. Chamod Fernando however missed the extras with his conversion only managing to find the posts. The miss set up a tense last few minutes but Isipathana held on for dear life and managed to see out the game.
The game was also played for the major Milory Fernando trophy which Isipathana retained for the 2nd successive year.
FULL TIME: ROYAL 17 – ISIPATHANA 22
Thepapare.com player of the match: Harith Bandara (IC)
Referee: Rohan Fernando
Score Breakdown – Royal 17 (14) : 2G, 1P
Tries: Hamza Reeza, Thulaib Hassen
Conversions: Nikhil George (2)
Penalties: M. Shakir (1)Score Breakdown –Isipathana 22 (05): 1G, 3T
Tries: Ravindu Anjula, Sudeera Gayanath, Nadeesha Chaminda, Sumudu Rankothge
Conversions: Chamod Fernado (1)
