Isipathana College stayed well ahead in the title race as they comfortably defeated Science College by 45 points (7T,5C) to 20 (3T,1C, 1P) in their under 20 division A cup championship game worked out under sweltering hot weather at Templers road, Mount Lavinia on Sunday evening.
The talisman Pathana fly-half Isuru Kongahawatte kicked started the game under scorching sun. The early exchanges by both teams were dominated by speed and skill level of their back divisions. Isipathana continued to test the defense of the home team who held back magnificently the thundering-in green traffic for a while. But finally the visitors broke the barrier in the 13th minute of the match through their full-back Rehan Silva who finished off a great move started through a driving maul. Isuru Kongahawatte made no mistakes with the conversion. (IC 07 – SC 00)
Flanker Vageesha Weerasinghe extended their early lead as he dived over for a superb try near the left corner flag in the 17th minute. Isuru Kongahawatte displayed his place-kicking prowess as he converted superbly from a difficult angle. (IC 14 – SC)
Isipathana enjoyed 90% of the territory and possession early on but Science got points on the board in the very first time they entered the opposition 22’ with a timely penalty kick courtesy their fly-half, N Neranjan just 21 minutes into the game. (IC 14 – SC 03)
The 2nd quarter of the first half was scrappy by both teams with infringements slowing down the game. Just before the half-time whistle, Science suffered a big blow when their big lock-forward, Daminda Lakshitha De Silva was sent to the ‘Sin-Bin’ for a ‘no-arms’ tackle. The boys in green used the one-man advantage delicately as a well-worked move was finished off by their outside center, Chamod Fernando who scored a terrific try. Isuru failed to add the extra points as the referee blew the half-time whistle.
Half-Time – Isipathana College 19 (3T,2C) – Science College 03 (1P)
After the lemons, N Neranjan restarted the game. The host’s got off to a perfect start to their 2nd half as they played with lot of intense and kept the possession within themselves and it led to their first try of the match as their hard-working skipper Lasindu Ishan took a quick tap off a 5-meter penalty to barge over the try line. Neranjan missed the conversion. (IC 19 – SC 08)
The title favourites once again displayed their dominance to hit back straight after conceding a try and this time around, they worked the ball from their own territory and finally Vageesha Weerasinghe made a stunning 30-meter dash to score a pleasing try. Isuru Kongahawatte continued his good day with the boots adding the extra points. (IC 26 – SC 08)
As the game clock read 51 minutes, Isipathana’s star winger Asitha Punchihewa collected a timely inside pass from his fly-half and ran a brilliant running line to dance his way towards the try line in the far corner. Isuru’s conversion went astray. (IC 31 – SC 08)
The greens were completely in control of the match showcasing their all-round ability of their talented forwards and speedy backs but against the run of play, Science College skipper Lasindu Ishan found his way over the try to score his 2nd of the evening. Neranjan converted with ease. (IC 31 – SC 15)
The visitors continued to pose threats but the home team was very effective most of the time with their defense play but in attack, they looked clueless. Isipathana skipper Omalka Gunarathne made few swashbuckling runs but failed to score a try and one of his trademark runs helped his partner-in-crime, Chathura Dilshan to power his way over the try line in the 65th minute of the match. Isuru Kongahawatte once again converted superbly. (IC 38 – IC 15)
Science College captain Lasindu Ishan made an uncalled for error in a breakdown which resulted in the referee sending him to the ‘Naughty Boy’s Chair’. Yet his team did not miss his services as they gallantly marched forward and used the blind side to let their second-row forward, M Ayeshmantha score a memorable try. Neranjan’s conversion attempt was futile as both teams injected fresh legs to the park. (IC 38 – SC 20)
Isipathana completely emptied their bench giving all the players some valuable game time and their younger brigade ended the game in style as their big inside center, Kushan Indunil scored the final try of the match in the 77th minute. Kongahawatte made no errors with the conversion. (IC 45 – SC 20)
First five-eighth Isuru Kongahawatte by far had the best outing with the boot this season as he successfully converted 5 tries out of 7 to send away all the kicking worries for the defending champions.
Full-Time – Isipathana College 45 (7T, 5C) – Science College 20 (3T,1C,1P)
ThePapare Player of the Match – Chamod Fernando (Isipathana Center)
Referee – Priyantha Fernando
After the game, Isipathana head coach Nilfer Ibrahim shared his views exclusively with www.thepapare.com, “ Isuru trained hard with our kicking coach, Dev Ananda. It paid dividence today and he is peaking with his kicking at the right time. We have no injury concerns and we are playing a good brand of rugby at the moment. I am happy with the effort put-in by the boys.”
Points Scorers – Isipathana College
Vageesha Weerasinghe 10 points (2 tries) , Isuru Kongahawatte 10 points (5 conversions), Rehan Silva 5 points (1 try), Chathura Dilshan 5 points (1 try), Chamod Fernando 5 points (1 try), Asitha Punchihewa 5 points (1 try), Kushan Indunil 5 points (1 try).
Points Scorers – Science College
Lasindu Ishan 10 points (2 tries), M Ayeshmantha 5 points (1 try), N Neranjan 5 points (1 conversion and 1 penalty)
