Isipathana College maintained their unbeaten streak when they successfully defeated St. Joseph’s College by 23-17 points in a blockbuster Singer Schools Rugby League encounter worked out at CR & FC grounds on Saturday.
The game was pitted as the match of the weekend with the reigning champions taking on one of the most improved and dangerous teams of this year’s league. After two wins under their belt for both teams, a win would have helped either team to take the pole position in the Segment 1A.
Isipathana fly-half Isuru Kongahawaththe kicked off the match on a perfect evening for fast and open rugby. The boys in green were all in attack early on and after 7 minutes of play, Isipathana skipper and by far the best schools rugby player of this decade, Omalka Gunaratne fended off more than five Josephian defenders in a bustling run to score the first try of the match. Nisal Deshatha failed to convert. (Pathana 05 – Joes 00)
Pathana got a chance to extend their lead when the Josephian forwards were penalized for sacking the driving maul but Nisal Deshatha was unsuccessful with his boot. Big 2nd row forward Chathura Dilshan had another opportunity to put points on the board but he too missed a penalty as the first quarter of the match ended with the Isipathana back line making the Josephians defend purposefully and ferociously.
Isipathana scored their 2nd try of the match in the 28th minute when Isuru Kongahawatte made a tactical grubber kick and winger Asitha Punchihewa chased it down well to touch down in the far corner. Chathura Dilshan missed the conversion. (Pathana 10 – Joes 00)
Joes were finally in the attacking mode during the last 10 minutes but they failed to convert the gold-like possession and territory into points until the final minute of the first half when full back Shamilka Kurumbalapitiya bisected the posts through a 15-meter penalty after a Pathana tackler was infringed for not releasing the player on the ground.
Half-Time: Isipathana 10 (2T) – St. Joseph’s 03 (1P)
After a much-needed break of 10 minutes, Shamilka Kurumbalapitiya recommenced the 2nd half and early in the 2nd half, Isipathana lost a key player in their star-studded back line when Asitha Punchihewa was yellow carded for tackling his opposite number, Vinul Fernando in the air.
The boys in blue and white pounced on the one-man advantage to level the scores as Shamilka Kurumbalapitiya nicely dummied through couple of defenders to score under the posts and he converted his own try to wide open the game once again. (Pathana 10 – Joes 10)
Isipathana was gifted with three point’s right in front of the posts when lock forward Ishane Pietersz was sent to the sin-bin controversially by referee D. Nimal for a foul play which should have been only a penalty and Chathura Dilshan easily bisected the posts. (Pathana 13 – Joes 10)
The Josephians made few basic errors in handling which the defending champions were never to let go off easily and after 12 minutes in the 2nd half, flanker Nisal Deshatha scored a terrific try off a loose play and the Pathana lead was extended to 8 points with the conversion by the try-scorer going astray. (Pathana 18 – Joes 10)
With only 15 minutes left in the game clock, St. Joseph’s once again showcased their fighting skills through their flanker Viraj Perera who pounced on a ball off a Pathana scrum deep inside their territory and scored under the posts. Shamilka Kurumbalapitiya converted with ease as the deficit was reduced only to a point. (Pathana 18 – Joes 17)
The game was heading to a classic finish with both teams giving their best to remain unbeaten but the most influential player in the Pathana team Omalka Gunaratne scored his 2nd try in the 72nd minute off a driving maul and became the difference between the two sides. Isuru Kongahawatte missed the conversion. (Pathana 23 – Joes 17)
Joes lost their try-scorer Viraj Perera for a high tackle on Dilan Gallege in the final minutes of the match but they could not construct a comeback rally to beat the boys in green who were the worthy and deserved winners of a brilliant game.
The entire 80 minutes were played in terrific pace and power as the packed house at Longden Place got their money’s worth. Both teams were no less than the other in muscle and strength as many bone-crushing tackles were made by both teams in an extreme battle between two top-class teams.
Full-Time: Isipathana 23 (4T, 1P) – St. Joseph’s 17 (2T,2C, 1P)
ThePapare Man of the Match – Omalka Gunaratne (Isipathana Number 8/Captain)
The jubilant skipper Omalka shared his exclusive views on the game with www.thepapare.com, ” We played a good game as we planned and all our tactics worked. I’m happy about my team’s performance but we expected more points on the board. The Josephian team gave a good fight but we did not let their top players, Taariq and Stephan much room to play their normal game.”
Isipathana – Try Scorers: Omalka Gunarathne (2), Asitha Punchihewa (1), Nisal Deshatha (1)
Isipathana – Penalties and Conversions: Chathura Dilshan (1 Penalty)
St. Joseph’s – Try Scorers: Shamilka Kurumbalapitiya (1), Viraj Perera (1)
St. Joseph’s – Penalties and Conversions: Shamilka Kurumbalapitiya (2 Conversions and 1 Penalty)
Match Replay
