Defending champions kicked off the season’s second round in a splendid fashion as they went on to score 62 (10T, 6C) to S. Thomas’s 15 (2T, 1C, 1P) at the CR&FC grounds.
It was the big Thomians who had the early possession and were threatening in the opposite 22m. Dias Gamage who started ahead of De Silva had the first points with his boot from a 30m penalty. After ten minutes of play Isipathana rolled over the dice in favor of them. Nisal Deshata the hooker was phenomenal with his aggressive run where he spot the hole three times in the opposite line. Nisal with the ball ran on the shorter side instead of the open and picked space as he passed to Dilan Gallage who sprinted 50m to the try.
The Green machine changed gears and gained territory as center W.S. Silva went for the second try. Isuru Kongahawatte a cool customer yet again at the pivotal position of No 10, inside the Thomian 22m sent the ball to Silva who made a peach of long pass to Full back Rehan Romesh to score in the left flank.
The Thomians looked calm before the storm but it did not go well in the opposite half. The Havelock Town boys intensified the attack and kept the visitors tested in their red zone. Nisal with a pick and run from the ruck scored the fourth try and just before the half time in form Gallage made yet another scintillating 60m run to pile up the score.
Half Time : IC 31 (5T, 3C) – STC 03 – (1P)
The kicking woes of Isipathana showed improvement as they manage to put 6 conversions out of 10. The re-start did not go 10m from Kongahawatte and the Blue, Black brigade created some pressure inside the Greens territory. Ferdinando the fly half and playmaker Ashwantha Herath did themselves proud but they could not make a single try. However, Jurampathy receiving Ferdinando’s pass scored a try to stay in contention. Herath with the extras S. Thomas moved 10 -31.
Isipathana lock S.M. Sarathchandra was banished into the sin bin for tackling in off side-position. Nevertheless, hardheaded Isipathana was not affected by the one less and they scored another try through Tharinda Kushal. The Thomians with the restart managed to turn over the possession in the opposite half. C.D. Perera bulldozed his way to add another 5 points. Herath missed the conversion. Yet again the Mount boys got to the Isipathana 5m mark but the ball went loose and as a result the Greens scrum half Maduranga collected the ball and finished it off in a try with a switch move with Gallage. (IC 43 – 10 STC)
Isipathana counter attack worked well as the Thomians could not hold on possession in the latter stages. Nisal and Kushal scored their second successive tries in a quick time. Nilfer Ibrahim made several changes and tested the bench players. Charith Fernando and G. Padmasankha both scored a try each coming from the bench to add more spark in the Greens line.
Full Time : IC 62 (10T, 6C) – STC 15 (2T,1C,1P)
ThePapare Player of the match – Nisal Deshata (Isipathana)
