Isipathana College retained the “Abdul Jabbar” shield for yet another year, recording an easy 48 points (4 Goals, 4 Tries) to nil win over traditional rivals Thurstan College in their 47th Annual Rugby encounter played at the CR & FC grounds earlier today.

Isipathana College (15) 48

Tries: Ranidu Padmasanka (3), Sasmitha Fernando (2), Nadeesh Chaminda, Sumudu Rankothge Dileeka Hettiarchchi

Con:Ranidu Padmasanka (4)

Thurstan College (00) 00

Coming out for the first time since beating Science College in their final league round 1 game almost 3 weeks ago, the Greens opted to rest some of their seniors who made up the reserves while giving the others a run ahead of the 2nd round of the league. The ground conditions though were not in favour of their usual brand of exciting fast open rugby. Isipathana too had no intention of changing their style of play but took command of the game right off the kick off. After several attempts at the opposition try line No.08 Sasmitha Fernando joined the ‘backs’ and touched down on the right corner. Winger Ranidu Pramodh missed the conversion (5-0). Ten minutes later they doubled their lead through winger Ranidu Pramodh who raced through to the try line after some quick hands by his fellow threes.  Isipathana were so dominant throughout the1st half, that Thurstan never made it to the opposition 22 meter mark. Instead they found themselves defending for most parts of the game and feeding off the little possession they got when Isipathana fumbled with the ball. It took another 15 minutes for the next scoring to be done as the Pathana backs, who made heavy inroads into their opponents 22, kept loosing possession unable to make that decisive pass or decision, when to off load. However they managed to score one more try before the break, through Sasmitha Fernando who scored his 2nd try of the match; a try which went unconverted.

Half Time: Isipathana 15 – Thurstan 00

The irritating drizzle that persisted throughout the 1st half decided to take a breather of its own but its effects were quite evident with both teams unable tomaintain possession for more than four or five phases. Isipathana virtually parked themselves in the opposition half while Thurstan kept defending for most parts of the game. It took almost 15 minutes of play for the scoreboard to start moving again when Full Back Dileeka Hettiarachchi added the finishing touches from 5 meters out. Dileeka’s attempt at the uprights failed miserably and Isipathana led 20nil.

Photo Album – Abdul Jabbar Trophy 2016

Isipathana Coach Nilfer Ibrahim started to introduce his senior and more experienced players to the game and with the likes of skipper Kushan Indunil, Chamod Fernando and Gayan Wickramarathne now on the park, Isipathana started to find their rhythm and it only got better as the game progressed into the last 20 minutes. A quick tap taken within the Thurstan 22 saw the ball being drifted out wide before Kushan Indunil sent the ball across to the other side where his fellow Center Sumudu Rankothge powered his way from close range near the right corner flag. Ranidu made an excellent conversion to increase his team’s lead. (27nil) 5 minutes later their other winger Nadeesh Chaminda went over in similar fashion in the left corner and once again Ranidu successfully put over another splendid conversion. (34Isipathana's late surge too much for Thurstannil) Isipathana winger Ranidu Pramodh who had a rather quiet 1st half was now in full swing making some good yards in attack which kept the Thurstan defense always in check. Ranidu went on to score two well-earned tries and complete his hat-trick during the dying stages of the game. To add more gloss, Ranidu converted both tries from an acute angle which gave Isipathana a handsome 48 – nil score line at the end of another chapter in the “Abdul Jabbar” shield.

ThePapare.com Player of the Match: Ranidu Pramodh

Refferee – Pradeep Fernando

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