Isipathana College managed to hold out the Josephians, winning 39-32 in a nail biting game played at CR & FC in week two of the schools rugby league.
Chathura Seneviratne kicked the game off on a hot, humid and sticky evening.
Joes dominated the first exchanges as Isipathana took time to find their feet.
A mishap on the Pathana bench meant the game was halted for eight minutes just following kick off.
Pathana regrouped after the slight hold up to score three tries in quick succession. Number 8. Devin Gunarathna was the first to find the white wash as he dived over from a rolling maul to shell shock the Josephian forwards.
Fullback Chamodh Fernando was the next to score following two inside and outside passes from fellow back three.
Pathana made it three from three scoring on their third visit to the Joes 22, as winger N. Chaminda scored following some quick hands and silky skills. Bandara was only able to convert the third try from under the post as the first two touchline conversions were out of reach. (SJC 00-17 IC)
Joes showed patches of quality and was rewarded as number 8. Gihan Perera, who had a phenomenal game scored. Perera broke off a scrum that was marching forward to dive over the white wash. Senevirathne failed to add the extras. (SJC 05-17 IC)
Joes scored back to back tries as Chathura Senevirathne scored the Josephians second try. Joes counter attacked from a missed touch kick, two phases and two passes later Senevirathne threw a dummy and went through the heart of the Pathana defence to the elation of the Joes supporters. Senevirathne converted from under the post to make it a five point game. (SJC 12-17 IC
Senevirathne added a penalty on the stroke of halftime as Isipathana missed the services of fullback Chamodh Fernando as he had to visit the blood bin.
Half Time: St. Joseph’s College 15 (2T 1C 1P) – Isipathana College 17 (3T 1C)
The lads from Maradana began the second half on the front foot and were soon rewarded for their efforts with two converted tries in the end of the second stanza.
Shevon Gregory was the first to crash over and no sooner Gamunu Chethiya found his way to the try line, the Josephians entered uncharted waters with the lead on their side. (SJC 29-17 IC)
Pathana bounced back with two tries to tie and get back into the match.
Randy Silva went untouched, under the post with a single handed effort as Chathura Senevirathne failed to clear his lines following kick off. Bandara added the extras from close range. (SJC 29-24 IC)
Winger Chaminds scored two unconverted tries either side of a penalty from Senevirathne as Joes found themselves in a sticky situation with just two points separating the two sides. (SJC 32-34 IC)
Chamodh Fernando finished a scintillating move started by Gunarathne off the tale of the scrum as an eight-nine- fifteen move saw man of the match winner dot down. Bandara failed with the conversion to leave both teams with an anxious last few minutes. (SJC 32-39 IC)
The Josephians strung phase after phase of attack but without the know-how to win, they failed to penetrate as the spirited Pathana defence held firm to see out an exhilarating, nail biting game of rugby to wrap up week two of the schools rugby league.
Full time: St. Joseph’s College 32 (4T 3C 2P) lose to Isipathana College 39 (7T 2C)
Thepapare.com Player of the match – Chamodh Fernando
Captain Sumudhu Rankothge expressed his elation following this win:
“We were told to play as one team and family, that’s exactly what we did and we managed to get over the line”
Points Breakdown:
Joes: Gihan Perera, Chathura Senevirathne 1T 3C 2P, Shevon Gregory, Gamunu Chethiya
Isipathana: Devin Gunarathna, Chamodh Fernando 2T, N. Chaminda 3T, Randy Silva, Bandara 2C
