Isipathana College were made to work against St. Joseph’s College as the Green Machine secured a bonus point win — 18 (2T 1C 2P) – 28 (4T 1C 2P) — in the week 3 game of the Dialog Rugby League worked off at Longdon Place, today (June 30th)
The Josephians made 4 changes with the highlight being Sachinthana Vidyanatha making his return to the starting XV while Naveen Marasinghe moved to his usual Eighth man position.
The game was poised to be a thrill and it delivered from the onset as Hashen Randimal scored the opener in the 6th-minute mark. The winger added the finishing touches to a move orchestrated by skipper Naveen Kanishka as the Josephians failed to clear their lines. Tharun Silva failed with the extras from a tricky angle. (SJC 00-05 IC)
Both teams went hammer and tongs at each other as the speed and intensity of the game rose beyond expectation.
>>Isipathana College secure back-to-back bonus point wins
Errors marred the Josephian’s path forward, however, it was the Lads in Blue and White who struck back through Naveen Marasinghe to cut the deficit. The try went unconverted as a lapse in concentration right after cost the Josephians as Shahid Zumri brought about the Razzle-dazzle, getting his name off the score sheet.
It wasn’t a day for the kickers in the first quarter of the game as both Silva and Ruchitha Rodrigo missed one after another. (SJC 05 – 10 IC)
Both teams traded blows as next it was the Josephains who struck back, through the boot of Rodrigo as he finally found his radar with minutes left in the first half as the visitors were reduced to 13 men.
Josephian Five-eighth Randika Dahamjaya found himself making his way to the sin bin as a tip tackle on Silva went wrong.
Moments later Skipper Naveen Marasinghe found himself with achers of space in front, with only the opposing Fullback to beat, however, the forwards’ instincts kicked in as he ran to the man and not to space as the visitors nullified any Josephian threats, taking a slender 2-point lead into the break.
Half time: St. Joseph’s College 8 (1T 1P) trail Isipathana College 10 (2T)
The hosts made the critical error of restarting the second half, kicking the ball to the opponent’s best player as Silva made two vital breaks early on the in second half as Kalidu Shenal finished the second break, moments after Rinesh slotted over a penalty.
The try went unconverted, however, the gap increased to 10 points as Pathana looked to be on their way to yet another momentous victory.
Skipper Naveen Marasinghe was sent to the bin for a soft penalty as the bounce of the ball went against the Josephians, and so did the whistle of the referee.
Silva and Rodrigo traded a penalty each as the 10-point gap remained, heading into the final 10 minutes of the game. (SJC 11-21 IC)
Pivotal Flanker Sachinthana saw yellow as a marginal call as the Josephians continued to be the architects of their downfall.
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Vishika Fernando was the beneficiary as the Josephians made a lucky break from inside their half to dot down with moments left in the game as the deficit was cut down to 3 points after the conversion by Rodirigo. (SJC 18-28)
This set up a tense final few minutes, but, yet another lapse in concentration after scoring dearly cost the hosts as Isipathan, known for their lethal attack, scored in the corner through skipper Naveen Kanishka, setting up a thrilling victory and a 4-try bonus point to go with it.
The Josephian’s task to secure a top-two finish took a massive dent with this defeat, however, the Pathana push towards retaining their title got a massive boost, even though it’s still early doors in the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2023.
Full time: St. Joseph’s College 18 (2T 1C 2P) lost to Isipathana College 28 (4T 1C 2P)
NDB Player of the Match: Naveen Kanishka (IC Five-eighth)
Points Breakdown:
St. Joseph’s: Naveen Marasinghe 1T, Vishika Fernando 1T, Ruchitha Rodrigo 1C 2P
Isipathana College: Hashen Randimal 1T, Shahid Zumri 1T, Kalidu Shenal 1T, Naveen Kanishka 1T, Rinesh Silva 1C 2P
 – 28 (4T 1C 2P) -- in the week 3 game of the Dialog Rugby League worked off at Longdon Place, today (June 30th)){kind=link}