A cracker of a match was on the cards with two unbeaten teams going at each other, and Isipathana College managed to stave off a strong Trinity College attack to win the game 21 points to 17.
Isipathana College played hosts to the hill capital school, at Longden place for this all important encounter. A packed ground and clear blue skies ensued as the monsoon rains gave way for this ‘titanic’ clash.
Both teams started off strongly setting the tone for a high intensity game. The Trinity College forwards looked to exert dominance early on itself but it was the hosts who were on the board first. A set play from a line out at 10 meters out saw the Pathana juggernaut Omalka Gunarathna blasting his way through the opposition and going over to score under the posts. Isuru Kongahawatte had it easy with the conversion and the Green Machine was on its way with a 7-nothing lead.
The Lions were not to be caught napping as they replied immediately with good hands seeing Rahul Karunathilaka go over. Tharinda Ratwatte was unsuccessful with the conversion and the scores read 7-5 in favor of Isipathana. Ratwatte’s ever reliable boots did not click as he missed a penalty in the 32nd minute which would have given the visitors a well-deserved lead having made strong inroads during the latter stages of the half, but it was not to be.
The hosts closed the half extending their lead courtesy of a brilliant individual effort of P. Sooriyarachchi. The “Soori” of the current schools circuit sliced the defense from the base of a ruck and whizzed by the rest of the opposition numbers and stepped his way from the last line of defense to go under the posts. Kongahawatte once again obliged with the conversion. The hosts thus went into the huddle on the right side of the equation leading the game 14-05.
Half time score 14-05
Trinity stung the hosts immediately in the second half, once again a team effort with the ball seeing many hands before Lochana Girihagama scored. T. Perera took over the kicking duties and succeeded in getting the additional points and reduced the Lions deficit to a mere 2 points with the scores reading 14-12.
Fifteen minutes into the second half Kongahawatte had the opportunity to extend his teams lead but failed at a simple penalty. Nevertheless the Havelock park school kept the pressure on their opponents and after numerous close quarter plays at the line they succeeded in sending Dhanuka Dissanayake over Kongahawatte had no issues with the conversion and took the score to 21-12.
The game was down to the last quarter, and an already attacking Trinity Lion really took the game to their opponents. Wave after wave of calculated pressure was applied on the Green Machine looking to deplete its steadfastness. Trinity was clearly the team with the extra gas in the tank and they made maximum use of it pushing it to the limit. The Lions looked the more refined outfit playing to a set plan, but what looked like sheer determination was what held the Green Machine together.
Trinity played good rugby with positive phases, gaining yardage and they were richly rewarded with the captain himself finishing off a good move. Perera was unsuccessful with the conversion from far left and the score line read 21-17, one score away from turning the tables. The Lions continued their wave of pressure allowing only trifling amounts of breathing space for their opponents. But the Havelock park lads held on and as the clock ran out the game went to the hosts with the score remaining at 21-17.
Full time score 21-17
Referee D.Nimal controlled the game well and discipline was at a high with no cards being dished out.
The Trinity team played good cohesive rugby linking well together in contrast to the patchy individual brilliances from the Isipathana team. Notable issues for the hosts are their continued line jumping concerns and clearances which both put them under extreme pressure.
Speaking toThePapare Nilufer Ibrahim the Isipathana Coach stated that there are areas which the team is weak and needs to improve to get to 100% and the plan is to work on it for the following games.
ThePapare player of the match, Isipathana’s No8 – Omalka Gunarathne
