Isipathana College registered a comprehensive 37-26 win over St. Anthony’s College at Longdon place yesterday (16th), taking them one step towards back-to-back Schools Rugby League titles.
The game started with an early knock-on from the Antonians right at the kickoff and their mistakes continued as within the opening 3 minutes of the game Isipathana managed to out-hook 2 scrums in the Antonian red zone.
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Due to indiscipline at the ruck in the 5th minute, the Antonians gave away a penalty in kicking range. Isipathana used the opportunity and opened the scoring with a thumping kick by Rinesh Silva. (IC 03-00 SACK)
Just around the 15th minute, Rinesh Silva booted another Penalty right under the post as the visiting line was offside. (IC 06-00 SACK)
Isipathana then increased their points tally through a well-constructed maul just 5m off the try line with their No 8 Nisaja Jayaweera going for the whitewash at the left flank. Silva missed the conversion. (IC 11-00 SACK)
Soon after that Pathana came storming through with a dashing run by Rinesh Silva who ran circles around 3 Antonian defenders to score under the post opposite the clubhouse. He went on to add the extra points and extend the lead to 18. (IC 18-00 SACK)
Five minutes before half time, after a crushing tackle by the Antonian skipper Keerthisiri, green half-back Costa knocked the ball forward which allowed the Antonian winger Roshen Kumara to pounce on the ball and sprint 60m to score the opening try for the Eagles. Keerthisiri failed to convert it. (IC 18-05 SACK)
At lemons, The Green Machines held a healthy 13-point lead over the Eagles.
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10 minutes into the 2nd half, the No 17 of the Eagles Agitha Munasinghe was sent to the sin bin for foul play inside their red zone.
Isipathana opted for a scrum from the resulting penalty and utilized a clever move orchestrated by their captain Naveen Kanishka, allowing Nisaja Jayaweera to score a try. Silva successfully converted the try. (IC 25-05 SACK)
The 2nd yellow card for the Antonians came in the 50th minute with deputy skipper Athukorala being sent off for a late charge.
With the Eagles down to 13 men, their defense saw daylight and twilight pass through them as Zumri paved the way for Rinesh Silva to squeeze through the tiniest of gaps and score under the post covering almost 50m. Rinesh couldn’t add the extras as the Antonian skipper charged the kick down. (IC 30-05 SACK)
The 5th and final try for Isipathana came off after some brilliant footwork from Kalindu Silva who assisted Troshan Gamage to go under the post. Silva successfully added the extra points. (IC 37-05 SACK)
With the quick tap of Athukorala, Pathana defense was caught napping and visitors went in for their first try of the 2nd half through Jude Realano. Keerthisiri then added the extra points. (IC 37-12 SACK)
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As Pathana emptied the bench and the Eagles gained momentum from the last try, their forwards found some lost energy, mounting pressure on the hosts. Then came another quick tap in the Pathana red zone with Saduka Athukorala making no mistake to score his team’s 3rd try, which Keerthisiri converted. (IC 37-19 SACK)
Just before the full-time whistle, the Antonians were gifted an opening for a try under the post to secure a crucial bonus point through Tyron Mariyadas. The ever-reliable Keerthisiri added the extras (IC 37-26 SACK) at an encounter that dished out 9 fabulous tries.
With this win, Isipathana are well and truly on their way towards the Super Round. As far as the Antonians are concerned, they are still hanging by a thread as their hopes of making it to the Super Round depends on the results of their counterparts in the group.
Full Time: Isipathana 37 (5T, 3C, 2P) St. Anthony’s 26 (4T, 3C)
- NDB Player of the Match – Nisaja Jayaweera (IC)
Points Scorers
Isipathana – Nisaja Jayaweera (2T), Rinesh Silva (2T, 3C, 2P), Troshan Gamage (1T)
St. Anthony’s – Roshen Kumara (1T), Jude Realano (1T), Saduka Athukorala (1T), Tyron Mariyadas (1T), Sahan Keerthisiri (3C)
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