“Green Machine” runs over Wesley

Isipathana came into this game boasting of an unbeaten tag while the “Double blues” who have been somewhat unfortunate in some of their games, losing by very fine margins against the big guns, had nothing to lose and were determined to create an upset. Heavy showers overnight and in the morning hours made the ground conditions unfavourable to the playing styles of both teams, who tend to run the ball down the flanks at every given turn. The poor ground conditions pushed the kick off time by 15 minutes as the groundsmen were required to do a few touch-ups on the advice of the match officials.

Isipathana finally got things underway attacking the Reid avenue end but it was Wesley who started off brightly, making some surging runs into Isipathana territory early on. A loose pass by the Wesley backs in their own half almost cost them a try as Isipathana kicked the loose ball ahead; it was unfortunately knocked forward at the last moment by their charging winger Ranidu Pramodh. From there onwards Isipathana slowly started to dictate terms but could not capitalize any further due to poor ball handling. The visitors had to wait until the 15th minute to get their first points on the board and they did it in their trademark style. Wesley managed to clear their lines and find touch but Isipathana opted for a quick throw. The ball was spread wide and Chamod Fernando made a break before sending his Full back Gayan Wickramarathne over for an unconverted try. (0-5) Despite their dominance, Isipathana only performed in fits and starts as they kept dropping the ball in vital moments, hampering their cause. Wesley managed to reduce the deficit through a Lee Avishka Penalty in the 30th minute, much to the joy of their supporters (03-05). Spurred on by this, they created a few openings but could not make an impact on the scoreline as the visitors managed to hold their ground. Wesley suffered a demoralizing blow when they conceded another try just before half time. Chamodh Fernando once again managed to make a penetrating run evading the Wesley defense before once again slipping an inside pass to Full back Gayan Wickramarathne who scored his second try of the match. The try went unconverted and Isipathana went into the break leading by a mere 7 points.

Half Time: Isipathana 10 – Wesley 03

Wesley did not have the perfect start to mount any pressure on the “Green shirts” as they conceded two tries within the first 10 minutes of the second half as Isipathana distanced themselves on the scoreboard. Burly second rower Lahiru Wishwajith was the first to score in the 45th minute as he pushed his way through a heap of defenders to score from close range. Wickramarathne got his angles right as he made a neat conversion (03-17).  Five minutes later Isipathana came storming into the Wesley half and after entering their 22, the ball was spread out to the famed Isipathana backs which saw a long cutout pass by Center Sumudu Rankothge to Winger Ranidu Pramodh who finished off with ease. The conversion though went unconverted (03-22). Wesley’s half back Lee Avishka had a chance to add 3 points when his side was awarded a 30 penalty but his kick drifted wide. It only got worse for the hosts as three minutes later Isipathana’s outside center Sumudu Rankothge barged his way through from close range to add another try. Pramodh taking over the kicking duties obliged and Isipathana were now out of reach (03-29). Wesley did have something to cheer about as Lee Avishka atoned for his earlier penalty miss by finishing off a well worked try at the corner flag. Fly Half Mohomed Subairs conversion attempt though did not have the direction (08-29). Wesley threatened to score another try almost immediately when Lee Avishka attempted an unorthodox cross kick which found his twin brother Lee Avantha, who evaded a few tackles and breezed along the touchline only to be halted just a few meters away from the try line by the desperate Isipathana defense. With that move coming to a halt, it was all Isipathana from there on as the “Green Machine” dominated the remainder of the game. Some slick offloading by the Isipathana backs saw Chamodh Fernando score by the corner flag while Ranidu added the extras with a stunning conversion which crept through after hitting the crossbar (08-36). The final nail in the coffin was hammered down right at the end when replacement second rower Ravindu Anjana of Isipathana managed to carry the ball over the whitewash off a forwards rush. Pramodh was on target yet again to bring the curtains down on a muddy encounter.

Thepapare.com Player of the Match – Kushan Indunil (IC)

Referee – Rohan Fernando