Wesley College came back with a brilliant second half rally to stun Isipathana College but was just short of time to complete what they started, giving Isipathana a close 25-22 win.
A close game was expected at Longden Place, and the game lived up to its expectations with the Double Blues coming back in a destructive fashion but only just running out of time to tarnish the Green Machine’s unbeaten tag.
The hosts, Wesley College, disturbed the score board early on with a penalty from Ishaaq Jurangpathy, giving his team an early 3 nothing lead. The tier leaders replied though with a good forward move bringing them up to the goal line with possession and sending the nippy Sudam Parinda Sooriyarachchi over the line. Isuru Kongahawatte missed the conversion; Pathana took the lead 5-3.
It did not take long for the Isipathana to unleash there star playerOmalka Gooneratna who with usual demeanor bowled over the defense to score. Isuru Kongahawatte’s conversion was unsuccessful as the Havelock Town boys extended their lead 10-3. Soon after Ishaaq Jurangpathy had the chance to reduce the deficit through a penalty but was unsuccessful at the attempt.
The Green machine scored their 3rd try courtesy of their forward brigade with a line out at 5 meters and Omalka Gooneratna was once more the ball carrier. Isuru Kongahawatte was yet to find his form as he missed his 3rd conversion attempt. Nevertheless the score moved along to 15-3 in favor of the visitors which is what is stood at the short whistle. The Green Shirts were extremely dominant at scrum time in the first half.
Half time Isipathana 15 (3T) to Wesley 3 (1P).
The Pathana forwards continued there dominance in the second half and they provided solid attacking ball to there three quaters. The Double Blues may not have had the best of the half as patches of brilliance were not converted to points with the Pathana defense holding steady on many occasions.
As the second half kicked off Wesley College looked to turn the pressure on to their opponents. It was the Green jerseys though that got the first points of the half on the board with an unconverted try. Prop forward Damith Dissanayaka crossed the line during a passage of play that was built up with several phases before crossing over the goal line, Isuru Kongahawatte’s the conversion went astray. 20-3 Isipathana extend lead further.
The visitors struck again with an additional try this time the line linking beautifully for an 80 meter try seeing S. Silva doing the scoring. Sudam Parinda taking the reins for the kicking duties was unsuccessful, score line 25-3.
It was during the last quarter that Wesley College conjured up some scintillating magic as they piled on the pressure with their opponents being set on the back foot. This time around Wesleywere successful in converting the opportunities created to points. The best passage of play for the double blues came through Shehzad Hamidon who was superb in support play and running lines. Shehzad went on to score a hat trick of tries to bring Wesley back into the game, It was indeed Zam Zam Zake for the Campbell park lads as they toiled to bring them within sights of winning the game. Joel Thilkarathana was successful in putting over two of conversions. With the two goals and try the scores read an interesting 25-22, Isipathana ahead by a nose breadth.
Unfortunately though for the hosts, despite the momentum turning towards there side during the latter stages of the game, time ran out for them to complete a comeback as Referee D. Nimal sounded the long whistle.
Full time Isipathana 25 (5T) to Wesley 22 (3T,2C,1P)
The Wesley lads played with tremendous tenacity during most of the game. Number 8 S. Pieris and Shehzad Hamidon were the players who stood out for the blues especially Hamidon who brought them back into the game with his hat trick.
Players that stood out for the Green brigade were; Omalka Gooneratne who continued his terrific form this season, Sudam Parinda with his nippy work and the Captain today leading from the front showing good composure.
Isipathana Coach Nilufer Ibrahim stated the team may have relaxed a bit in the second half and playing to the opposition pace which caused the issues. He was also of the opinion that having to recycle players affected the plays.
Terrence Henry the Wesley Coach was critical about the set plays of his team particularly in the first half but said he was happy with the second half performance.
ThePapare man of the match – Shenal Deelaka (Captain/Flanker – Isipathana College)
