Isipathana carried forward the momentum found in the latter part of the season to stun the strong Trinity side 20 points to 17.
The Trinity camp was on the up and up having clinched the coveted Bradby shield, despite having gone down in the second leg of the Bradby. The strong lion’s team in their own den in Pallekelle was not to be taken lightly. On the other hand having had mixed fortunes from the onset the Pathana camp had a daunting task ahead of them. Regardless of the underdog tag it was a spirited Isipathana team which came out on to the field determined to make amends to their 2013 league campaign and their ultra fanatic/loyal following.
The green machine got their mechanics right and the spectators were given a treat in the first half as the Pathana camp displayed some of their usual brilliance which was lacking through most of the season. Possession and territory wise it was the visitors who had the apparent advantage and the Trinitians were immediately on the back foot with the Pathana pressure. Trinity’s defense held strong to keep the Pathanians at bay and were successful in having a slender lead going into the half.
Isipathana was first on the board with Hirantha Perera and Uditha Premathilaka combining beautifully, the latter going over courtesy of the ball being sent wide by Perera. Hirantha was unsuccessful with the conversion. For Trinity the touch-down came off an interception followed by Dureka Aluvihare scoring. Ratwatte having no issues with the conversion took the score to 7-5 Trinity.
The home team held the lead only momentarily as Pathana continued to pile on the pressure early on in the second half as well. The visitors did well to convert the pressure to points as Uditha Premathilake went over for his second try of the day. “Hira” came good with the conversion and the visitors were back in the lead 12-7.
The scent of victory was wafting for the Green Machine and the lads were chasing it all cylinders gunning. Pathana took the game further from the Trinitians as center Pabasara Madawa touched down. Hirantha Perera was the instigator of the move to take Madawa over as well as slotting in a penalty in the midst of the proceedings, giving the Havelock town school a 13 point lead, 20-7.
The Lions were under the gun having to score twice to take the game. The home team during the season had produced some superb comebacks, so much so that it seemed business as usual for them, and they were still in the hunt for the win. Right as rain the Lions went storming to score courtesy of Lochana Girihagama, Ratwatte came good with the penalty narrowed the deficit with the score reading 20-17. With fuel in the mental tank from the try the Lions went out all guns blazing to turn the game around. The Pathana defense though held steady to record a deserved win, the scores remaining on 20-17.
Looking back at the game the Green camp bought their A game to the match and pulled their last bit of energies and took home a well deserved win against the fiery Trinity Lions. Furious tackling and bold runs, hits like there was no tomorrow for the Isipathana camp showed the lads wanted the win more than their worthy opponents. In contrast Trinity were riddled with errors occasionally ball being put up at inopportune moments sacrificing possession and the binding of the pack being compromised put the Trinity game at a disadvantage.
Pathana pulling the victory off against Trinity ensured a safe passage for Dharmaraja College to the League Championship.
Editor’s note – Our apologies for the delayed article which was because the Kandy reporter was indisposed.
Certainly not due to any form of bias. This site stands on its own but the over-zealous fans in their passion misread and misinterpret incidents quite amusingly.
