The final game of the first round of Singer Schools league took place at Bogambara Stadium in Kandy between the defending champions Isipathana and the hosts Kingswood in wet weather. The visitors finished unbeaten with 32 (5T, 2C, 1 P) – 22 (3T, 2C, 1P) win.
It was an early start due to the light issue as it was pouring down in the hill capitol. The game kicked off at 3.55pm. As expected, it started off in soccer mode with both teams kicking the opposite halves. A high tackle on little Punchihewa by a Kingswood player led Rehan Romesh to kick the ball in to opposite 22m line. Despite the condition the Greens made a successful driving maul from the lineout and the skipper Omalka Gunarathne breaks off in to score the first try.
Few minutes later the Kings came charging in to the opposite half and won a penalty. Captain Reeza Raffaideen slotted a 35m peach of a kick under difficult conditions. Kings forwards did some damage on the quick counter rucking but Omalka yet again broke and set up taking a few defenders with him. As a result the visitors had space out wide, scrum-half Maduranga who used quick hand to Rehan to Fernando to Punchihewa the winger, who finished in Chris Ashthon’s style.
The hosts then charged their engines and spend almost 5 minutes with several phases in the opposite 22m. Finally K.S. Wimalaweera the flanker squeezed through the defence and Reezah made the deficit in to just two points. Chathura Dilshan then came to the action getting a pop- pass from Isuru Kongahawatte and fended two defenders and off loaded to Omalka, who then passed out wide to Dilan Gallage the other winger to sprint his way in the left flank.
Half Time – Kingswood 10 (1T, 1C, 1P) – Isipathana 17 (3T, 1C)
The rain stopped for a while and the Isipathana kicking plans also changed. W.A. Wijesuriya the Kings lock forward was sin binned by Aruna Rankothge for collapsing the maul. Visitors in the opposite red zone received penalties in a row. Omalka took a quick tap and Kings defenders had not much time to organize to stop him scoring the second.
Wimalaweera was outstanding for the hosts as he scored another brilliant try under the post. Reezah’s kick made the score board moving to (17 – 24) for the visitors. The little warrior W.A. Senesh the No#8 was so quick with his moves; a sparkling ploy in the lineout and he scored resulting in a soaring level of intensity. Reezah missed the kick with a difficult angle. (KCK 22 – 24 IC)
Kongahawatte made a 20m penalty later on despite Isipathana’s kicking woes; it was an improvement as he put 3 kicks out of 6 under an unfavorable conditions. A few minutes, later Faris Ali the Kingswood fly- half who was warned earlier by the referee and was binned for going high on Kongahawatte. The hosts hopes was dented when half back Maduranga scored the final try which was converted by Kongawatte.
Full Time – Kingswood 22 (3T, 2C, 1P) – Isipathana 32 (5T, 2C, 1P)
