Isipathana College Havelock Town overcame a tough S. Thomas’ College Mount Lavinia side in extra time, securing a 25 (one goal, three tries, one penalty) to 20 (two goals, two penalties) victory in a nail-biting semi-final of the Dialog President’s Trophy Knockout Tournament at the Royal Sports Complex, Reid Avenue, yesterday. The game ended 20-all at full-time after Isipathana had trailed 7-10 at half-time.
The Havelock Town team found themselves down 15-20 in the final minute when centre Kavin Tharusha scored a crucial unconverted try. Nimantha Sandeepa missed the conversion, leaving the score tied at 20-20 and sending the match into extra time.
In the fourth minute of extra time, Isipathana’s playmaker Shaahid Zumri sealed the win, capitalising on a clever pass from Abdulla Faizer. Zumri’s brilliant backhand pass saw him touch down in the mid-left, securing a hard-fought 25-20 win and a spot in the final, much to the relief of their supporters.
Earlier in the game, Isipathana opened the scoring through Zumri’s first try, with the successful conversion putting them 7-0 up within five minutes. S. Thomas’ responded in the 22nd minute with a penalty from their skipper Yehan Bulathsinhalage, reducing the deficit to 7-3. S. Thomas’ took the lead for the first time in the 30th minute when No. 8 Myckyle Karuanratne powered over after a driving maul. Bulathsinhalage converted, giving the Thomians a 10-7 lead at the break.
Just four minutes into the second half, S. Thomas’ extended their lead with Udan Bulathsinhalage, the younger brother of Yehan, scoring a try after a rolling maul. Yehan’s conversion made it 17-10 in favour of the Thomians.
Isipathana’s Nimantha Sandeepa brought his team back into the game with a try in the 47th minute, but the conversion was missed, keeping S. Thomas’ ahead at 17-12. Yehan Bulathsinhalage added a penalty in the 49th minute to stretch their lead to 20-12.
In the 53rd minute, Isipathana responded with a penalty from Sandeepa, cutting the lead to 20-15 before Tharusha’s last-minute try sent the match into extra time.
Referee: Praneeth Veranga.
By – Daily News