Isipathana College faced Wesley College today in a Cup segment match up of the Singer Schools Rugby League at Havelock Park. The Green Machine was coming into this match after an unexpected draw against the Thomians and they were up against a Wesley side coming after a long layover. Both sides looked to shake off the rust and get on with playing their best rugby.
Isipathana College opened the scoring through Ramitha Himash as he made use of an overlap to score. The try was built up by some good defensive pressure by the Green Machine. Manilka Ruberu couldn’t convert. (Isipathana 05 – Wesley 00)
Wesley clapped back in no time with Kavindana Perera crossing the line after he collected a skip pass from skipper Zubair. There seemed to be a doubt over the grounding of the ball and the referee consulted with the TMO before awarding the try. Mursheed Zubair knocked down the two points to give Wesley the lead. (Isipathana 05 – Wesley 07)
The next try came via a beautifully executed set piece by the Wesley backline and Kavindana Perera scored his second try of the match. This time there was no doubt to whether he scored or not. (Isipathana 05 – Wesley 12)
Wesley were running circles around a hapless Isipathana defence with some sublime offloading and support running. In broken play Jenosha Mendis timed his pass brilliantly and skipper Mursheed Zubair set up Kavinda Perera to go over for his hattrick. Zubair this time made no mistake with the conversion. (Isipathana 05 – Wesley 19)
As the clock approached half time, Isipathana were desperate to get some points on the board and they kept on hammering the Wesley defence. The offensive pressure told on the Double Blues as they were penalised for being offside. Isipathana had to be satisfied with the three points as Manilka Ruberu slotted in the penalty. (Isipathana 08 – Wesley 19)
That final penalty brought an end to what was a very hectic first half.
Half time: Isipathana 08 (1T, 1P) – Wesley 19(3T, 2C)
In their eagerness to continue the match at the same momentum, the Wesley defensive line was offside at the kickoff and they gifted a penalty to Isipathana.
Wesley brushed off that early hiccup and picked up from where they left off in the first half, playing some smart and expansive rugby. Half-back Jenosh Mendis showed his class as he made a split second decision to go to the blind side. Samuel Ogbebor drew his man and offloaded to Akinda Gammanpila who scored the try. Zubair missed the conversion attempt after having two goes at it, the ball falling off the support in the first attempt. (Isipathana 08 – Wesley 24)
The Green Machines pulled one back in no time through Nadeen Basik, the winger showing good presence of mind and a bit of 7’s flair as he picked the ball up off the tackle as he was not held and scored the try. Manilka Ruberu was too casual in his conversion attempt and it was charged down by Jenosha Mendis. (Isipathana 13 – Wesley 24)
Mursheed Zubair was showing that the decision to change his position was a masterstroke as he continued to release the pressure by kicking for territory and pushing Isipathana back.
Kavindana Perera was having the game of his life as he went over for the fourth time. The Double Blues stole yet another line out ball from Pathana and in the ensuing passage of play half back Jenosha Mendis showed excellent decision making skills by going to the blind side where Kavindana Perera touched down for his fourth try of the game and eventually the try that sealed it for the Double Blues. (Isipathana 13 – Wesley 29)
In the dying stages of the game, Manilka Ruberu breathed some life into his side as he made use of a worked ball and ran 60 meters to score. Isipathana opted out of the conversion in order to speed the game up. (Isipathana 18 – Wesley 29)
With so many stoppages in the game, it had a very prolonged injury time period. Isipathana was playing for pride by now, looking for that consolation try and with the Wesleyites running out of gas, they were found offside and 3 players were given yellow cards in the span of 4 minutes. With the numbers advantage, Isipathana still failed to get the try with Manoj Gautham spilling the ball on the try line.
Full Time: Isipathana 18(3T, 1P) – Wesley 29 (5T, 2C)
Thepapare Player of the Match: Eranda Harshana (WESLEY)
Point scorers for Isipathana: Manilka Ruberu 1T 1P, Nadeen Basik 1T, Ramitha Hashan 1T
Point scorers for Wesley: Kavindana Perera 4T, Mursheed Zubair 2C, Akinda Gammanpila 1T
Cautions and send off’s:
- Shaveen Jayawardhane – Yellow Card – WESLEY
- Sahan Hansaja – Yellow Card – WESLEY
- Eranda Harshana – Yellow Card – WESLEY
