Isipathana Storm into Quarter-finals with Dominant Win

Defending champions Isipathana College delivered a powerful statement with a commanding 41–8 victory over Science College in their pre-quarter-final encounter of the Dialog Schools Knockout Rugby Championship 2026 at the Royal Sports Complex yesterday.

Despite a scrappy start, where Science controlled much of the early exchanges, the Green Machine gradually found their rhythm and took charge of the game. Isipathana ran in seven tries and added three conversions, holding a comfortable 19–3 lead at halftime. Science managed only an early penalty before scoring a late consolation try.

Isipathana will now take on St. Joseph’s College in the quarter-final next Sunday at the same venue.

After a series of early attacks, Isipathana finally broke through in the sixth minute when hooker Kaveen Jayasinghe crossed the line for an unconverted try. Science responded in the 19th minute when flyhalf Oshada Kompannage slotted over a penalty to cut the deficit to 5–3.

The turning point came through the influence of fullback Nimantha Sandeepa, whose tactical kicking and sharp attacking play opened up the Science defence. In the 26th minute, Sandeepa set up a try and converted it himself to extend the lead to 12–3. Just six minutes later, he orchestrated another try, this time for skipper and lock Saajid Zumri, and added the conversion to send Isipathana into halftime with a 19–3 advantage.

Isipathana dominated the second half from the outset. Two powerful forward moves produced back-to-back tries in the 40th and 46th minutes, with flyhalf Thenula de Costa taking over the kicking duties to stretch the lead to 31–3.

Although Science managed to halt another rolling maul attempt—one of coach Sanath Martis’ signature tactics—Isipathana’s lock Risija Dimsara broke away from the maul to score their sixth try in the 57th minute. Centre Senuth Ransara then produced a brilliant solo effort in the 61st minute to push the score further to 41–3.

With several substitutes introduced, Isipathana eased the tempo, which allowed Science a late opportunity. In the final minute, Sandeepa received a yellow card for dangerous play, and Science capitalised as centre Demith Silva crossed the line for an unconverted consolation try.

At the final whistle, Isipathana sealed an emphatic 41–8 victory to book their place in the quarter-finals.