Kingswood College scored 27 points (1 Goal, 4 Tries) to 17 points (2 Goals, 1 Penalty) to secure their first win for the season, over the defending Champions Isipathana College at Bogambara today.
Kingswood’s fortunes in their 2013 campaign seems like it has been hit by a curse of old, not having notched up a single win. On the other hand Isipathana who scored their first victory against St. Joesphs last week was also searching another win to secure their place in Division A.
It was the visitors who got the 1st opportunity to score when their fly half J. K Perera ‘s drubber found a no mans land. But Isipathana sprinters did not manage to turn it into a try. In the 12th minute, Isipathana forward Omalka Gunarathna scored 1st try of the match under the post as a result of the territory gained by a penalty. J.K.H Perera made no mistake with the conversion. Both teams showcased some tendency towards kicking through out the first half. In the 30th minute Isipathana line out was collected by Kingswood forward Nisal and scored a push over try near the left post. Fly half Aruna Perera failed to add the extra 2.
Visitors were leading 7-5 when Kingswood was awarded with a penalty due to off side play. Center Asela Wijesinghe found touch near the 5 meter line and fly half Aruna turned the opportunity in to a brilliant try. Again he was not successful with the conversion.
At lemons home team was leading 10-7
Within the first few minutes of the second half Kingswood ran a riot to to score 3 consecutive tries to grab the game away from the visitors. In the 4th minute Kings no 8 dashed through the Pathana defence for over 30 meters and sent over a pass to Sebasthian who scored near the left post. Asela Wijesinghe failed to add the extra 2.
Few minutes later, Kingswood fly half Aruna’s tremendous 60 meter kick found the touch inside the Pathana 5 meter line. Isipathana College collected the line out, but Kingswood hooker Amarasinghe stole it and touched the try line near the right flag for the 4th try of the home team. Again they failed to add the extra 2.
Kingswood continued to dominate the second half, virtually having more than 75 percent of the possession. In the 20th minute Kingswood fly half Aruna’s fine kick was collected by Pathana and thumbed out which provided Kings with a line out inside the 5 meter territory of the opponents. Line out was collected and sent over to the scrum half Sali who touched the line to bring up the score upto 25. This time Aruna succeeded with the conversion.
During the last phase of play in the game Isipathana slowly got their heads into the game which saw some repeated attacking plays. Most of the times Kings defence was strong enough to prevent them from the score board. 10 minutes to go when pathana was awarded with a 30 meter ‘direct -in -front’ penalty which was successfully converted by Hirantha Perera.
The Pathana camp would have loved to reduce the deficit more at this point with the whistle momentarily away. If so was their wish, granted it was! This time, a line out from 5 meters took Charana over the line, powering his way with a commanding rush. 27-17 was what the score read as Hirantha succeeded in the conversion.
Speaking to ThePapare the Isipathana coach Nawaz was disappointed “this was a really bad day. That’s all I can say”
Winning captain Premathilaka said that the team played really well today. They were in a challenging position due to the hard luck thorough out the last matches. Moreover he said that they are going to win the rest of the games to secure their place in the A Division.
However Kingswood has been able to get themselves away from the bottom two teams while Isipathana dropped to the bottom after this weeks’ loss.
