Isipathana finish strong to defeat Kingswood in rain-hit encounter

Isipathana College held off a determined late surge from Kingswood College to register a hard-fought 32–22 victory in their second-week encounter of the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2025, played under wet and muddy conditions at the Bogambara Stadium, Kandy.

Kingswood, coming off a narrow defeat the previous week, welcomed the President’s Trophy champions Isipathana College for a crucial early-season clash. Despite the challenging conditions, both sides produced an intense and entertaining contest.

The visitors struck first. Isipathana skipper Thinethra Dodamgoda disrupted a Kingswood line-out, and after several composed phases, scrum-half Sithupa Bometh exploited the blindside to send winger Samiru Disas over for the opening try.
(KCK 00 – 05 IC)

Kingswood responded with purpose, enjoying extended spells of possession and territory. Their pressure paid dividends near the Isipathana five-metre line when they earned a penalty for offside. Skipper Thaveesha Ekanayake took a quick tap before feeding fly-half Ashik Asmi, who released Dulaj Fernando to score in the corner and level the match.
(KCK 05 – 05 IC)

Momentum continued to swing in Kingswood’s favour. Asmi produced a superb 50–22 kick, pinning Isipathana deep. Although the ensuing line-out throw from Duleesha Rasanjana went long, No. 8 Akila Dilshan reacted sharply to collect the loose ball and power over for Kingswood’s second try.
(KCK 10 – 05 IC)

Trailing on the scoreboard, Isipathana remained composed. Capitalising on Kingswood’s discipline lapses, the forwards laid a solid platform in the difficult conditions. Bometh once again proved a constant threat, selling a sharp dummy before sneaking over for a crucial try. Avishka Hiran added the conversion to give Isipathana a narrow halftime advantage.

Isipathana carried that momentum into the second half. A breakdown penalty allowed Hiran to find touch, and from a compact three-man line-out, Dodamgoda linked well with prop Sethum Rajapaksha, who powered through two defenders to extend the visitors’ lead.
(KCK 10 – 17 IC)

The Green Machine struck again soon after, when Kingswood were penalised for offside following a goal-line dropout. Bometh reacted instantly, tapping quickly and darting over for the bonus-point try, catching the defence off guard.
(KCK 10 – 22 IC)

Despite worsening conditions, Isipathana adapted effectively. Hiran delivered a pinpoint 50–22 kick, and from the resulting set piece, the rolling maul proved decisive, with hooker Kaveen Jayasinghe crossing the line to stretch the lead further.
(KCK 10 – 27 IC)

Kingswood refused to relent. With ten minutes remaining, Akila Dilshan broke away strongly from a scrum near halfway, setting the platform for Maduranga Pushpakumara to crash over. Asmi converted to keep Kingswood in contention.
(KCK 17 – 27 IC)

Moments later, Kingswood struck again from a counter-attack launched inside their own 22. Asmi identified space behind the defence, and a well-executed kick-chase ended with Dulaj Fernando scoring his second try of the match.
(KCK 22 – 27 IC)

However, Isipathana had the final say. Sustained pressure and disciplined ball retention wore down the Kingswood defence before Shaakib Zumri made strong inroads. Bometh then released Abdul Ahamed, whose perfectly timed pass sent Avishka Hiran over for the decisive try, sealing a deserved victory for the visitors.

points breakdown

Kingswood College – 22
Dulaj Fernando – 2 tries
Akila Dilshan – 1 try
Maduranga Pushpakumara – 1 try
Ashik Asmi – 1 conversion

Isipathana College – 32
Samiru Disas – 1 try
Sithupa Bometh – 2 tries
Sethum Rajapaksha – 1 try
Kaveen Jayasinghe – 1 try
Avishka Hiran – 1 try, 1 conversion