Isipathana College ended their first round campaign on a winning note, recording a 24-11 win over Wesley College–their sixth win in-a-row to remain unbeaten in the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2023 at Havelock Park yesterday.
Isipathana, having led 17-6 at halftime, made up their points through four tries and conversions against a try and two penalties scored by Wesley.
Though the final score indicates a comfortable win, Isipathana Pathanas were made to fight hard by Wesley. The match was expected to be a cake walk for the Pathanians after Wesley came into game, having lost all the four matches played so far. However Wesley fought hard despite ending up losers.
It was Isipathana who made the first scoring in the sixth minute through an unconverted try by hooker Mihisara Hettiarachchi. But Wesley fought back and surprisingly went into the lead with back-to-back penalties booted over in the tenth and 16th minute by fullback Abdul Haadhi, who fluffed another penalty two minutes later.
Isipathana, undeterred, got their act together by making sporadic moves and had the Wesleyites struggling for survival. They succeeded to plant two tries within the space of six minutes through centre Tharun Silva, in the 31st and 37th minutes. Silva himself converted one and the other went astray. When the short whistle was blown Isipathana lead 17-6.
After the resumption the two sides shared honours and this time it was Wesley who made the first scoring in the 48th minute through centre Nithila Rodrigo who went over for a try, but the conversion was fluffed.
The game went out of hand as players from the two sides were engaging in pushing each other but was controlled by referee Aruna Shantha. Wesley gave Isipathana some anxious moments but as in the previous matches they lacked the finish as they missed scoring opportunities.
Isipathana, on the other hand, made use of the scoring opportunity they received and in a melee skipper and fly half half Naveen Kanishka helped them to surge ahead in the 59th minute with an under-the-post try which gave Silva an easy conversion as they ended the game at 24-11.
By – The Sunday Times