Two of the most successful teams in the Milo Presidents trophy knock-out tournament battled it out for a birth in the finals at the Royal Sports Complex today.
After an absolute nail biter of a contest, it was the “Green Machine” who came out on top overcoming a fighting Peterite outfit 24 points to 20 and booked a place at the grand finale next week. At half time the winners trailed 13-12.
Isipathana, the new league champions came into this game after receiving a walk over from D.S Senanayake while the Peterites were full of confidence after their win over the Antonians in their quarter final. The ‘greens’ looked to stamp their authority early on in the game by testing the Peterite defense but the team from Bambalapitiya seemed prepared for anything, the Isipathana backs came up with.
Video – The Schools League champs unplugged
Isipathana had the opportunity to take an early lead through Gayan Wickramarathne in the fifth minute but the full back’s 30 meter attempt at the posts went astray. Despite the early miss Isipathana continued to have the better exchanges but the Peterite defense prevailed hurrying the green shirts into some rash decisions. Their pressure off the ball proved effective, as against the run of play Stephan Sivaraj capitalized on a reckless ‘Chamod Fernando offload’ as the ball found its way right into his hands, which saw him scamper through to an under the post try. Sivaraj converted his own try and St.Peters’ led 7nil.
Spurred by their first score, the Peterites started to make heavy inroads in their opposition half. The pressure started to tell as Isipathana conceded two penalties in the 20th and 24th minute. Deciding to have a go at the posts on both occasions Sivaraj successfully kicked both penalties to put the Peterites in a commanding 13nil lead.
Rattled, the ‘Greens’ finally organized themselves to record their 1st points through No.08 Vageesha Weerasinhe who was at the end of a brilliant rolling maul set up by his fellow forwards. Gayan Wickramarathne missed the conversion but Isipathana reduced the lead to a mere point a few minutes later, through their Center Sumudu Rankothge.
Photo Album – Isipathana College vs St.Peter’s College – Schools Rugby Milo K/O 2016
Sporadic moves by the backs saw Isipathana storm into the opposition 22. After a couple of phases Rankothge received the ball and powered his way through the Peterite defense to score under the posts. Wickramarathne finally got his kicking right to slot in the extras.(IC12-13 SPC)
The scale was now back in Isipathana’s favour as they kept attacking the St.Peters’ back line. The Petes managed to hold on and the score remained in their favour albeit by one point.
Half Time: Isipathana 12 – St.Peters 13
Many would have expected the greens to storm into the 2nd half, but it was the Peterites led by their skipper Sandesh Jayawickrama silenced the Isipathana supporters with a fine try down the right corner flag. Randy Silva showed hesitancy to tackle Jayawickrama and that mistake was all it took, as the Peterite skipper made a fine 40 meter, solo run down the right flank and scored a brilliant try. Sivaraj complimented his skipper’s effort with a brilliant touchline conversion to restore the gap between the two teams. (IC 12-20 SPC).
However, not to be outdone the ‘greens’ came storming in to the opposition half. After few hits and shows by the forwards, the-ball was sent out wide and skipper Kushan Indunil barged
his way through and scored beside the post. Wickramarathne added the extras. (IC19 – 20 SPC)
The game was played at a hectic pace which saw both teams coming close to scoring with some breathtaking counter rugby. But crucial mistakes in the final third of all these moves meant the scoreboard remain unchanged. Peterite full back Diyath Fernando in particular had arguably the best chance of the lot, but a split second error in decision making by Fernando saw the opportunity going begging.
Champion teams manage to win their games even during bad performances! Living up to their potential the ‘greens’ came storming in to the game in the final quarter and with five minutes to go Isipathana got in to the lead for the first time in the game. The Isipathana forwards took matters in to their hands and opting for a rolling maul, they succeeded through Devin Gunarathne who added the finishing touches going over the whitewash. Gayan Wickramarathne missed the difficult conversion but Isipathana led 24 – 20.
With only a few minutes remaining, St. Peter’s could not recover from the killer blow and Isipathana saw out the remainder of the game.
Photos, videos and much more – SchoolsRugby HUB
There was a slight confusion over the timing as the clock on the scoreboard indicated 39.30 when referee Dinka Peiris blew the final whistle which left the St. Peters camp frustrated as they could possibly have had one final opportunity to attack. However, it is the referees call with regards to the time and that is final.
For the Petes Steffan Sivaraja(fly half), Avishka Heenpella (Scrum half), Rahal Delpachitra (Prop) and Ravin Yapa (Hooker) all played a grand game whilst skipper Jayawickrama perhaps played his best game this season which unfortunately turned out to be his last. Isipathana will need to go back and polish up their mistakes when they come out for the final in one weeks’ time where they will meet either the league’s runners up S.Thomas’ or the strong Royal College outfit.
ThePapare.com Player of the Match – Kushan Indunil (IC)
Referee – Dinka Peiris
Isipathana: (12) 24
Tries: (Vageesha Weerasinghe, Sumudu Rankothge, Devin Gunarathne, Kushan indunil )
Conversions: Gayan Wickramarathne (2)
St.Peters: (13) 20
Tries: Stephan Sivaraj, Sandesh Jayawickrama
Conversions: stephan Sivaraj (2)
Penalties: stephan Sivaraj (2)
