It was as expected an exciting game with close tackling under wet conditions that made Isipathana College winners narrowly by 15 points (2 tries, 1 conversion, 1 penalty) to 13 points (a try, a conversion and 2 penalties) by Trinity College in their Dialog inter school league rugby fixture at Havelock Park yesterday.
Conditions should have favoured Trinity but Isipathana were up to their task that saw them finish off in style.
The second half saw Isipathana occupy Trinity territory most of the time to apply the pressure on the visitors.
They began making the moves through their back division but it was Trinity who scored first in the second half when the referee spotted an Isipathana playing from an off side position and Hulangamuwa had an easy penalty from 27 metres out.
Isipathana stepped up their moves and winning possession at every turn they produced a three-quarter move in the 45th minute that sent winger Avishka Hiran over by the corner flag for an unconverted try.
They continued to occupy the Trinity territory and worked another sequence of moves to see prop forward Kaven Tharusha barge over for a try.
Abdul Faizer succeeded with the kick and Isipathana were delighted at taking the lead by 15 points to 13.
Being aware of the small difference in the scores Isipathana tightened up on their defence and made more attacking moves to keep Trinity in their half for the rest of the game.
The first half was evenly contested and Isipathana had more of the opportunities but their place kicker Zumri was not accurate enough as he fluffed a penalty from 25 metres out. Three minutes later they won another penalty from 20 metres out and Zumri succeeded to give Isipathana the early lead.
Zimri once again failed to convert a penalty in the 13th minute.
Thereafter it was Trinity who took over the scoring with a penalty in the 21st minute by full back Hulangamuwa to equal the scores 3-3. Trinity continued to make the moves in Isipathana territory and another move that began in the 22 metres line saw centre Usmaan Safraz going over the goal line.
Full back Hulangamuwa had an easy conversion and Trinity led 10-3 at the stroke of half time.
By – Sunday Observer
