Both the teams set foot on the field with positive minds with victories during the previous games. Despite everyone’s expectations, St. Peter`s College, pulled off some final minute magic to settle the Isipathana hearts for a draw. At full time the score board displayed equal figures twenty five all.
Peterites were right up at the collar of the green lads when Shallon Direkze drew first blood inside the first sixty seconds of the game. The mistake from the green lads cost them while the Peterites benefited with the turn-over ball after working the line and touching the ball down. Shamri Burah missed out in bringing full value to the try and the score board settled for five points. (IC- 00 SPC -05)
Both the teams were passing wide and playing open and fast rugby across the field. Greens having one of their best season`s in the history settled the game in their hands when they worked the line and Rehan Silva dashed forward to touch in the fourth minute of the game. Chathura Dilshan missing on the conversion prevented them leading the game. (IC -05 SPC- 05)
Score board at equal figures the pressure was equally divided, but both teams were determind to play rugby at pace when Kevin Dixon touched the ball down inside the seventh minute of the game upholding his tag as a player to watc. Burah`s leg`s failed to bisect the uprights. (IC -05 SPC – 10)
The clearance kick from Steve Dharmaratne landed in the safe hands of Omalka Gunerathene when he sprinted to bag his first points of the game but was bought down by the defence of the visiting team and he made no mistake in off- loading the ball to his fellow team mate Asitha Gayeshan who ended up scoring the second try for the home team when the clock struck the twelfth minute. Score board levelled when the ball failed to bisect the uprights. (IC -10 SPC – 10)
Though Omalka missed out in the earlier minutes, he made no mistake when he was offered the second chance during the fourteenth minute of the game. The loose ball handling by Steve Dharamaratne was converted to a turn over by Omalka Guneratene when he dived across near the right corner flag to bring back the lead to the home team. Isipathana led the game by five points when ball fell apart near the uprights. (IC- 15 SPC – 10)
The Green Brigade having added one more to the shower of tries in the first half, saw Dhanuka Dissanayake scoring off a quick ball and adding five more points to the total when Chathura Dilshan missed his fourth consecutive conversion. (IC -20 SPC -10)
Shamri Burah who has been a loyal performer for his crew had to step out of the stage due to an injury that caused in his knee which was a huge blow to the visitors. The shower of tries during the first forty minutes of the game predicted signs of a nail biting finale when the Green Brigades had hopes on defending the title of the unbeaten team.
But Peterites proving the fact that they have done their home-work well bisected the uprights just four minutes before lemons off a penalty awarded to them. (IC -20 SPC -13)
Half Time – Isipathana 20 St. Peter`s 13
The words of the Peterite coach were brought in to full value when the ball was passed in the line hand by hand creating gaps to Nishon Perera who later passed on to winger Shallon Direkze and off loaded to Kevin Dixon and he made no mistake leaving the unbeaten side just spectators of his rugby. He bought back hopes to his crew during the forty seventh minute of the game scoring his second for the game. Conversion failed. (IC -20 SPC -18)
Both the teams were playing competitive rugby and it was test of defence for both the sides. Three yellow cards were witnessed during the game due to basic errors made by both the teams. Two in favour if Isipathana College while the other one drew up in favour of Peterites.
The clock was ticking and minutes later Dhanuka Dassanayake scored off the try which made the Green Brigade fans believe that they have defended their unbeaten title. Green lads scoring off a line out in the seventy second minute of the game added five points and increased the lead by seven points. (IC -25 SPC -18)
The Isipathana lads would have believed they had the game wrapped up , but Petes were not giving up. The final sixty seconds of the clock ticked slowly with Green Brigade preparing to rejoice. But the Peterite Full Back Kevin Dixon pulled a rabbit out of a hat with a last minute move and scored his hat-trick as CR&FC grounds hushed into a pin-drop silence. Converting the try that he touched down Kevin Dixon levelled the score board proving that he was made of mettle (IC -25 SPC -25)
ThePapare Player of the match –St Peter’s Kevin Dixon
Editor’s note – Our apologies for the misleading heading – Isipathana bids farewell to their unbeaten streak
