One of the favorites for this year’s Schools Rugby crown Isipathana college continued their dominance with a brilliant performance to beat emerging St.Anthony’s College at their home ground Nittawela in the Singer School Rugby league game.
It looked like it is going to be a tough affair between two teams in the first half with the score reading 10 points to 3 in favor of visitors. In 2nd half St.Anthony’s were trying to provide a real threat to the green machine after scoring 2 back to back tries. But the Isipathana team who were well ahead with the fitness levels diminished the Antonian hopes of fighting back by scoring a few more tries to seal their 2nd win in this year’s campaign.
Isipathana College 43 (7T,4C) , 17 (2T,2C, 1P) 17 St.Anthony’s.
From the kick off, the lads from Colombo tried to break through the Antonian defense and spent most of the time in opposition half. The Antonians did well to keep the Pathanians away from the try line. In 15th minute St.Anthony’s started scoring the first points of the game with a 30m penalty, beautifully converted by Samuel Maduwantha’s boot.
Five minutes later, the Isipathana vice-captain Sumudu Rankothge crossed the line from the left corner for the first try of the game. Kicker Ranidu Padmansanka missed the conversion.
Photo Album – Isipathana College vs St.Anthony’s College (Schools Rugby 2016)
Before the half time whistle Isipathana Prop forward Isuru Udaya kumar barged through for their second try after several attempts to break in within the 22m mark. Ranidu Padmasanka again failed to add the extra 2 points from a kickable conversion. Isipathana got some chances to score in the dying minutes of the first half but they couldn’t capitalize.
Half Time – 10 – 3 (Isipathana)
Isipathana players entered to the second half strongly and tried to put pressure on the Antonian defense from the kick off. As a result they have managed to score a brilliant try from a rolling mall. Speedster Sumudu Rankothge collected a short pass and ran through a gap in St.Anthony’s defense to score his 2nd try of the evening. Full back Gayan Wickramarathna was called for kicking duty and he was never going to miss 15m conversion.
Next it was Hooker Hasitha Mapitigama who scored 4th try for the Greens. Gayan Wickramarathna added the extra 2 points with a timely conversion.
There were signs of a comeback by the Antonians after Isipathana’s substitute Falnker Sashmitha Fernando had been sent out to the bin by the Referee.
St.Anthony’s did not waste time in taking the 1-man advantage on the field. Antonian second row Mohamed Shabeer took the ball quickly and went past Isipathana forwards to score a brilliant try under the post. Samuel Maduwantha added the extra points with an easy conversion right in front of the goal post.
In a matter of minutes, the Antonians scored their second try against 14-men Isipathana. Jehan Seelagama scored the try after a creative set play by the Antonians. Samuel Maduwantha added extra 2 points to bring the scores close with Isipathana 24-17. St.Anthony’s looked like they are going to repeat what they did against Science College in the previous fixture.
But Ispathana managed to do well and hold off Antonians as Full back Gayan Wickramarathna scored a try in the right corner to diminish Antonian hopes for a comeback.
St.Anthony’s struggled with the fitness levels in during the latter part of the game and Isipathana looked strong and energetic to launch attack with their fresh substitutes on tired Antonian defense. Isipathana’s substitute Nilamdeen scored a try under the post to make it 6th for the day and Gayan Wickramarathna added the extra points.
Isipathana winger Ahamed Amzie launched a chip kick to the open space over the Antonians from the 50 meter mark and ran past them to collect the loose ball. Hewas tackled brilliantly by Theeksha Gunasinghe to save the try but scrum half Dileeka Hettiarachchi was right behind Amzie to collect the loose ball and score the final try of the game to finish off in style. Gayan added the extra 2 points and the scoreboard showed 43-17 after the final whistle.
Full Time – (Isipathana College 43 – St Anthony’s 17)
Isipathana College 43 (7T,4C)
Tries – Sumudu Rankothge 2 , Isuru Udayakumar, Hasitha Mapitigama, Gayan Wickramarathna, Nilamdeen, Dileeka Hettiarachchi
Conversions– Gayan Wickramarathna- 4
St.Anthony’s College – 17 (2T,2C,1P)
Tries – Mohamed Shabeer , Jehan Seelagama
Conversions – Samuel Maduwantha 2
Penalties – Samuel Maduwantha
