Skipper Manilka Rubeyru's side were fortunate to have evaded the heavy D. S. forwards
Isipathana College managed to secure a 25 points to 24 victory with a bonus point against D.S. Senanayake College in their first game of the Singer Schools’ Rugby League 2018 at Havelock Park, earlier today.
It was a sunny afternoon as DS fly-half Vishal Akalanka kicked started the game deep inside Isipathana territory. The home team showed a sense of urgency early on whilst the dons played it close. Opportunities arose both ways, but the green machine was the first to pounce on it when Nadeesha Chaminda touched down drawing first blood for Isipathana in the 12th minute after finishing a brilliant ploy from a centre scrum. The number 8 Ravindu Anjula, added the extras. (IC 7-0 DS)
The dons were put under immediate pressure, but did not let Isipathana take the upper hand. The DS counter attack left the green-machine suddenly trailing. After some hard work by the forwards, centre Vishal Wijesiri sliced through the defence to score DS’ first try in the 20th minute. Number 8 Dinusha Hemasiri added the extras. 5 minutes later the visitors scored again. It was the kicker Dinusha Hemasiri who barged his way over the line putting DS in the lead but unfortunately missed his own conversion. (IC 7-12 DS)
Isipathana College v D.S. Senanayake | ThePapare Stats Centre
Official Stats centre of the Isipathana College v D. S. Senanayake College game of the Singer Schools Rugby…
Neither team seemed to hold onto possession – it was a clear fifty-fifty game but fortunately for Isipathana, their tactical game of pacy rugby paid off when Himash Silva scored Isipathana’s second try in the 29th minute and skipper Manilka Rubeyru, scored the third, beside the post 6 minutes later putting Isipathana back in the lead. As Anjula’s kick slotted through the uprights referee Aqil Jamaldeen blew the half-time whistle.
Half Time : Isipathana College led 17 – 12 D.S. Senanayake College
DS came back strong in the second half. The game plans of both teams were clear – DS played it close with the forwards and Pathana used their backs.
17 minutes into the second-half DS halfback Harshula Perera, scored an excellent try after sneaking through a gap in the defensive line. Hemasiri added the extras that put DS in the lead. Although both teams showed good discipline in the first-half, penalties leaked in the second. Anjula was able to put Pathana back in front when he converted a penalty into points in the 60th minute. (IC 20-19 DS)
Photos: Isipathana College vs D.S. Senanayake College | Schools Rugby League 2018
As the game neared its close, Pathana struck again when Anjula sprinted his way over and touched down under the post in the 68th minute to seal the deal for DS. The deal was still open it seemed! Gaining inch by inch, taking hit after hit, the boys in black and gold fought their way back into the game. Picking and going till they were inches away from the whitewash, the dons finally went over to score. Kaveesha Rambukwella scored the try slightly away from the post leaving Hemasiri’s kick to decide the winner. Sadly for DS the kick drifted away from the uprights along with a moment that could’ve gone down in their College history books. (FT: IC 25-24 DS)
If DS had more polished skills, a full-time place kicker and a proper combination of players, it would’ve been a much different story this evening. For Pathana on the other hand, they will need better conditioning and strength in the pack, if they hope to end this season on a high.
Full Time : Isipathana College 25 (4T,1C,1P) – 24 (4T,2C) D.S. Senanayake College
ThePapare.com’s Player of the Match: Dinusha Hemasiri (DS)
Points Breakdown – IC
Tries : Nadeesha Chaminda,Manilka Rubeyru,Himash Silva,Ravindu Anjula
Conversions: Ravindu Anjula 1C, 1PBookings: Kelum Lathmal
Points Breakdown – DS
Tries : Vishal Wijesiri,Dinusha Hemasiri,Harshula Perera,Kaveesha Rambukwella
Conversions: Dinusha Hemasiri 2C
