The defending champions Isipathana secured a win against a fighting Dharmaraja outfit at Bogambara earlier today. The soggy conditions underfoot proved quite a challenge for both the teams as the skies had opened up 30 minutes before kickoff. The start was also delayed as the white lines were invisible.
Isipathana took an early lead to the game; Deelaka Hettiarachchi slotted a penalty from right under the posts for the infringement of holding on the deck. (Isipathana 03 – 00 Dharmaraja)
Much to the joy of the large that turned out on a free Sunday evening, the game turned out to be a stunner as both teams handled pressure and the slippery ball very well.
It was in the dying minutes of the first quarter that Dharmaraja scored the first try of the game through their fly half and Captain Chamika Perera. The forwards did all the hard worked to get the ruck set up and then the ball was handed neatly to Perera who went over to score to the left of the posts. Gihan Ishara converted from the left of the posts at a slight angle. (Isipathana 03 – 07 Dharmaraja)
Soon after Chamika Perera taken off the field with a hamstring injury and the game then progressed to the end of the first half with neither teams scoring any points. Although it was a low scoring first half, the entertainment the crowd received was on point.
Half Time: Isipathana 03 (1P) – 07 (1T 1C) Dharmaraja
Isipathana started the second half with exactly what they hoped for; a try. Ravidu Anjula the second row player went over right of the posts to score after the forwards had built up a few phases. He was at the edge of the wing when he received the ball. Deelaka Hettiarachchi was unable to convert from a very difficult angle. (Isipathana 08 – 07 Dharmaraja)
The Rajans then again took the lead through Sandeepa Hewage after a brilliant kick and chase. Sandeepa who was the last receiver kicked it down the field and chased past the Pathana defense from the right corner of the field back into the field where he chased it down and kicked the moving ball twice before touching down on the left corner of the field. Gihan Ishara failed to convert the kick from the left corner flag. (Isipathana 07 – 12 Dharmaraja)
At this point the game was poised as in the first half for a cracker with Dharmaraja taking slight advantage. Then the tables were turned when the Dharmaraja flanker Hasaranga Pramuditha received a straight yellow from the referee. Taking advantage of the extra man Isipathana got their outside backs to work their way over the line to get the lead through K. Sabanayake who was wearing the number 14 jersey for Isipathana. He skipped over a tackle from the Dharmaraja full back before diving in for his try. U. Bandara the scrum half missed the conversion. The kick had accuracy but not the legs to go all the way. (Isipathana 13 – 12 Dharmaraja)
With one man down, the Rajans failed to get their defense intact as Isipathana went over the line, again it was K.Sabanayake who scored the try. (Isipathana 18 – 12 Dharmaraja)
After the man from the sin bin returned it was again a very tight game where both the teams battled hard with no success. Devin Gunarathne the brother of the former Isipathana skipper Omalka got a yellow card for a late tackle with about 1 minute to the stoppage. However, Isipathana held on to win the game.
Full Time: Isipathana 18 (3T 1P) – 12 (2T 1C) Dharmaraja
ThePapare.com’s Player of the Match: K.Sabanayake (Isipathana)
Score breakdown
Isipathana College
K.Sabanayake (2T)
Ravindu Anjula (1T)
Deelaka Hettiarachchi (1P)Dharmaraja College
Chamika Perera (1T)
Sandeepa Hewae (1T)
Gihan Ishara (1C)
