Forget what Manchester United have achieved in the last three years, but if there is anything that can be compared to Isipathana College’s dominance in schools rugby in Sri Lanka, it’s nothing but Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United.
Isipathana who have been playing schools rugby for little over 50 years have already bagged 17 league titles while sealing seven Knockout Trophies. Perhaps it would not be ideal to compare this with the 20 Premier League titles Manchester United have won, obviously in a different sport played at the highest level. However, one cannot ignore the manner in which both these teams have gone about their business dominating sides. They have been so good for so long that people expect them to win pretty much every match, and every time they lose, they make headlines the following day.
This year once again turned out to be another very successful year for the glory boys from the Havelock Town as they completed League and Knockout double, most recently winning the President’s Trophy beating bitter rivals Royal College in a completely one-sided match. Led by centre Kushan Indunil this season Isipathana were unbeaten in both the league and knockout competitions while they were only defeated S. Thomas’ College in the shortest format to claim the Sevens title.Last year’s captain Omalka Gunarathne will be remembered for being a try-machine, but one would also not forget the manner in which he used to sing the Isipathana anthem before the match with his eyes almost popping out. His brother Devin hasn’t done badly either this season while also contributing with some vital tries, most notably scoring the winner against St. Peter’s in the semi-final.
Wing three quarters Chamod Fernando and Ranidu Padmasanka played their roles too; scoring eight tries each. Padmasanka broke his nose in the semi-final while Fernando played with a slight injury in the final once again proving how much this game means to them. Captain Indunil and Sumudu Rankothge were easily the best centre combination that Sri Lanka schools rugby witnessed for the past ten years or so. Rankothge ended up with 11 tries while Indunil finished with seven tries while assisting to most of the Isipathana tries.ly half Randy Silva may not have been as influential as the back five, but he did make his mark at the biggest occasion of the season completing a hat-trick in the final. Isipathana forwards have been magnificent as well though their efforts are being hardly recognised. Royal’s rolling maul was one of the toughest challenges Isipathana faced this season, and Royal forwards kept things under control which helped their backs to shine in that final.
One should also not forget their head coach Nilufer Ibrahim and assistant coach Henry Terence who have been very important in this team’s success. In comparison to the inter-club rugby in Sri Lanka, the schools rugby is played at a very competitive level. For instance Isipathana had a very strong squad last year, and were tipped to emulate their heroics the year before (2014) where they won triple titles, but in 2015 they lost just three matches and that cost them three titles. This time around they lost one match and they missed out on the Sevens Championship. It’s that competitive nature which is why Isipathana College’s record as a rugby playing team is even precious.
In the Knockout final not only did they beat Royal, but humiliated the Reid Avenue team too. They broke the highest score in a Royal-Pathana match gaining 47-12 win surpassing the previous highest held by Royal in 1976 with a 40-0 win.
Royal also had a pretty decent season finishing third in the league and making a knockout final, but each year Royal team would have everything that they need to be successful, and now they have arguably the best coach as well. In complete contrast, Isipathana don’t have a ground, no posts to practice kicking, no swimming pool, no gym, but they had one thing that many other teams didn’t have; a team.
A team that was ready to die for each other. A team that did not know what it feels like to lose, a team that wanted to entertain from the first minute and above all this was a team that put their bodies on the line to make the name Isipathana proud.
By – The Island
By – Ramesh Rushantha Silva