Isipathana clinch narrow victory over Wesley

Isipathana, trailing 5-10 at the breather, produced a strong second-half comeback to secure victory, scoring two tries, a conversion, and three penalties. Wesley responded with two converted tries and a penalty, but it was not enough to deny the Green Machine.

The pattern closely mirrored their President’s Trophy knockout quarter-final encounter, where Isipathana also trailed at half time before mounting a stirring second-half comeback to record a 24-10 win.

Wesley opened the scoring in the fourth minute when stand-in skipper Abdul Haadhi, deputising for the indisposed Sandul Gammanpila, slotted over a penalty. The Wesleyites dominated the early exchanges, putting the Isipathana defence under sustained pressure. Their efforts were rewarded in the 24th minute when flyhalf Kaizer Lye broke through to score a try, with Haadhi adding the conversion to extend Wesley’s lead.

Isipathana responded with determination and reduced the deficit in the 28th minute when centre Situ Rajapakse crossed for an unconverted try. With no further scoring before the interval, Wesley went into the break holding a narrow 10-5 advantage.

After the resumption, Isipathana displayed far greater cohesion and intensity, subjecting Wesley to sustained pressure. Their resurgence paid dividends quickly, as Avishka Hiran converted a penalty in the 44th minute before No. 8 Shaakib Zumri powered over for a try five minutes later. Hiran added the conversion to put Isipathana ahead 15-10.

Isipathana extended their lead in the 52nd minute through another penalty from Hiran to make it 18-10. Wesley, however, were not done yet and mounted a determined fightback. Lock Niluth Hapugalle crossed for a try, and Haadhi’s conversion narrowed the margin to a single point at 18-17.

What followed was a tense and evenly contested battle, with both sides trading possession and territory. The decisive moment came in the 59th minute when Isipathana were awarded a penalty, which Hiran calmly converted to push the score to 21-17.

Wesley continued to press with a robust attacking approach and threatened the Isipathana defence in the closing stages. However, the Green Machine held firm to seal the victory and bring Wesley’s unbeaten run to an end.