Isipathana College put the previous week’s blemish behind them to claim their rights to the 2014 Rugby crown remaining unbeaten and defeating Kingswood College Kandy by 34 points to 13.
The statisticians were abuzz with the possibilities of who could win the 2014 league and what it was going to take. But the formidable Green Machine put it all to rest with a resounding win over Kingswood College. The pace was set right form the word go as the marauding Pathana forwards rolled their way over the line to get on the score board first. Unsurprisingly the ball carrier was Omalka Gooneratne. Chathura Dilshan did well to convert the try form out left giving a motivating lead for the home team, 7 nothing Pathana ahead.
Kingswood equalized through a soft try thanks to a mistake from the Pathanian’s off one of their own scrums losing possession and allowing Asela Wimalaweera to go over in the close to the uprights. Rizah Raffideen made no mistake with the straight forward conversion and bought the scores to 7 all. Both teams were looking to put pressure and were set to be an interesting contest and to see which side would be able to last the longest with the intensity of play being at a high.
The hosts were able to extend their lead through a 5 meter line out, once more the forwards jotting the points on the board with a rolling maul. Making his presence felt throughout the half it was once more Omalka Gooneratne who was the ball carrier. This time Chathura Dilshan was unsuccessful with his attempt at goal, nevertheless Pathana was back in the lead 12-7. Kingswood were able to reduce the deficit with a Rizah Raffideen penalty 5 minutes later and the penalty helped keep the game within reach for the “Kings” with the score reading 12-10.
As the game “seasoned” it was the Green Machine who was looking like the side that might last it in terms of the gas in the tank. The second quarter of the game was a fruitful one for the Green Jerseys with pressure being converted to points in the form of two unconverted tries. Playmaker Sudam Sooriyarachchi showed excellent skill keeping his eyes and ears open and wriggling his way blind side to score in the corned off a ruck and pushed the lead further, 17-10. Sudam Sooriyarachchi was not done with his work for the half with him coming into action once again this time showcasing his kicking skills punting the ball all the way down the park. Unfavorable bounce for Sooriyarachchi turned out to be favorable for Dilan Gallage as he collected cleanly and went over the line giving his side a healthy 22-10 lead. Chathura Dilshan was unable to put the ball over for the additional points in both occasions.
The two sides went into the break with the hosts starting to take the game away from the “Kings”. There was though yet an entire half to play for but the task was beginning to look more daunting for the Hill country lads than at the start of the game.
First half Isipathana 22 (1G,3T) – 10 (1G,1P) Kingswood
The Green Machine returned to having been tuned to virtual perfection by their Coach. The Pathana lads were immediately on the board with a converted try. Sudam Sooriyarachchi was once again in the thick of things creating the gap and unloading to A. Punchihewa to cross the try line in the corner. Chathura Dilshan put a beauty through from the corner bisecting the uprights. The goal put Pathana in a commanding 29 to 10 lead. Chathura Dilshan then had the opportunity with a penalty with a direct line of sigh to the posts but fluffed it! The kicks continued to give concern for the home side, but fortunately for them not as much as in the Peters game.
As the game approached its dying stages there was a bit of huff and puff on the field. Referee D. Nimal sin binned Devinda Colombage and D. Bandara of Isipathana and Lahiru Maliyagoda of Kingswood for ten minutes.
Pathana finished off with a flurry as the three quarters got in to the act and good hands working the ball wide and back in field put play maker Sudam Sooriyarachchi over once again for his second try of the game. Conversion going astray the scores read 34-10 to the hosts. Kingwood put over a consolation penalty to take the score to 34-13, and then the long whistle sounded bringing in the wave of Pathana supporters to engulf their players!
Full time: Isipathana 34 (2G, 4T) – 13 (1G, 2P) Kingswood
The big names were once again a standout for the Green Jerseys, led by their Captain Shenal Deelaka, Omalka Gooneratne, Sudam Sooriyarachchi and Chathura Dilshan. Hats off to the Kingswood team who, despite not having a chance at the silverware, played to show what Kingswood rugby meant. Even at the dying stages off the game staring down the barrel their game was full of heart which made the contest all the more interesting.
And thus Isipathana was crowned the “Kings of the 2014 league”. The Green Machine once again took the title hopes away from the Trinitian’s but this time much more comprehensively leaving no doubt in the minds of the Rugby community. It must be said that Isipathana showcased some brilliant rugby under the guidance of their humble Coach Nilufer Ibrahim ably supported by Anuranga Walpola and Dinesh Kumara. Some of the big names of the Green Jerseys will no doubt make it to the junior national team with the skills and talent they have displayed.
ThePapare catching up with the Pathana Coach in the midst of his celebrations stated that he was quite confident about winning today’s game. The St.Peters game was a letdown due to their own folly and the team had worked hard at remedying the issues and giving their 100%. Intentions are to add another trophy to the cabinet as the Knockouts come up.
Thepapare man of the match: Sudam Sooriyarachchi
