Isipathana College came out comprehensive winners in their U-20 Singer League encounter with Wesley College downing the double blues 34 nothing.
The evening started as a grossly humid evening turned into dark skies, saw the winds increased and then pour down. But it was an all out sunny evening for the Havelock town school as they notched up 6 crossings to take the game 34 points to nil.
The hosts, Isipathana, started out a ‘mite’ shaky but picked up their game to pile the pressure on their opponents. Subsequent to the initial mishaps the Green Machine showcased their competencies with their rolling maul and forward strength. The half was somewhat of missed opportunities for the hosts as they squandered a few opportunities mostly 5 meters out from the goal line. Notable absentee for the hosts was Isuru Kongahawatte whilst changes in the positions included Nisal Deshaka taking up the flank position and Rehan Silva coming into the fly-half berth.
The Green Machine fine tuned their game and was seen to pressure the visitors with their forward force at the gates of the goal line. Pathana’s impressive names Omalka Gunarathna, Dilshan Chathuranga and Nisal Deshaka were the workhorses for the Green Machine.
Wesley College had the first opportunity to put the points on the board via a penalty. Unfortunately for the double blues captain Omar Kuthubdeen, who looked to be nursing an injury, was unsuccessful with his attempt. Isipathana’s Dilshan Chathuranga was the first to put the numbers on the board with an unconverted try.
The hosts extended their lead through captain Omalka Gunarathna, who was strategically used on the flanks. Ball being worked through the line ended in Omalka’s hands, probably to the horror of the opposite winger, who with his usual demeanour bowled over the defence to go over the line. Dilshan Chathuranga was unsuccessful with the conversion attempt from out wide. Pathana ahead 10 nothing.
Wesley College managed to hold the opposition without a further score, and take the game to the short whistle. The double blues did have their moments in which they pierced the Pathana defence but could not manage to convert opportunity to points.
Half time – Isipathana 10 (2T):Wesley 0
During the break the weather made a U-turn with the skies turning grey and eventually the heavens opening up with a strong rain.
The 3rd quarter of the game was played under comfortable conditions with the humidity dying out and a cool breeze blowing across. Pathana scored almost immediately in the second half with the length of the ground being used to good effect. Isipathana surged ahead with a rolling maul pressing forward from the left corner and used the line to get the ball across to the other end to the reliable hand of Dilan Gallage who, despite the clinging defenders, went over to score. The conversion going astray Pathana put the scorers to work once more 15 nothing.
The hosts once more extended their lead courtesy of their forward power, this time through Matheesha Sarathchandra who crashed over the line under the posts. Chathura Dilshan made an atrocious kick at goal missing a sitter! Nevertheless the hosts furthered their position 20 nothing.
The Green Machine’s 5th try came through the same strategy of using Captain Omalka in the flanks. Bursting through the defence Omalka went across to score under the posts uncontested. Nisal Deshaka made no mistake as he put the extra points in the bag and took the score to 27 nothing. The Havelock town school put the finishing touches to the game with a score in the last minute of the game, this time through I. Aponso who supported the line-men brilliantly catching an off-load and going over the line. Chathura Dilshan finished off proceedings with a successful conversion taking the score to 34 nothing.
Full time – Isipathana 34 (4T, 2G):Wesley 0
Referee Pradeep Fernando sent out Murshid Subair of Wesley and I.S. Silva of Isipathana to cool off during the second half due to continued infringements.
Talking points of the game would be the role of Omalka Gunaratna who continues to be the juggernaut for the Havelock town school with his devastating hits and scores, the scoreless Wesley outing (not to say the opposition defence was 100%) and the presence of the Wesley Captain despite him clearly looking uncomfortable from his injury. Kicking issues continue for Isipathana and unless is remedied can haunt them in the crunch matches. On a lighter note Isipathana is not short of place-kickers from the forward pack as Nisal Deshaka is also taking up the kicking duties in addition to Dilshan Chathuranga.
The Papare.com Player of the match – Omalka Gunerathna
