The Zumri brothers light up opening day as Isipathana put 50 past Sri Sumangala

What a way to open the season. Isipathana College kicked off their Dialog Schools Rugby League 2024 campaign with a convincing 50-3 demolition of newcomers Sri Sumangala College at Havelock Park today. Eight tries, five conversions, and a hat trick from the younger Zumri. If this was a statement of intent, the rest of the league heard it loud and clear.

A slow start before the floodgates open

The Green Machine took their time to settle into the contest. Kaveen Tharusha provided the first real spark with a strong carry that took Isipathana deep into Sri Sumangala territory. Shaahid Zumri then added his trademark running to get the attack moving, and when the visitors conceded a scrum close to their own try line, the Isipathana pack took over. The forwards drove with precision and Kenula Mihisara finished the job to open the scoring for the season. Zumri converted to make it 7-0.

It took another 20 minutes for the second try, but it was worth the wait. Sri Sumangala gave away a line offside penalty inside their own 22, and Zumri showed razor-sharp instincts to take a quick tap and catch the defence napping. He dotted down under the posts and converted his own try to push the lead to 14-0.

The Kandy boys grabbed a moment of their own shortly after, when Adhil Nazar slotted a penalty from near the Isipathana 22 to put Sri Sumangala’s first and only points on the board (14-3). Despite a few more half-chances going begging, that was how the first half ended. Isipathana were in control but had left opportunities out on the field.

Second half. The Greens turn on the style

Whatever was said in the sheds at halftime worked. Isipathana came out for the second half and produced the kind of rugby that gets people off their seats.

It started with Dinada Thinul, who was brilliant throughout the afternoon, making a searing break through the middle. Kalindu Silva recycled the ball quickly at the breakdown, and then came the moment that will warm every Isipathanian heart. Shaahid Zumri drew the last defender and popped the pass to his younger brother Shaakib Zumri, who finished with composure beyond his years. The elder Zumri converted the younger Zumri’s try. You could not write a better script (21-3).

Thinul was at it again moments later, punching holes in the Sri Sumangala defence and making metres that put the opposition on the back foot. Shaakib continued his powerful ball carrying to create the space, and Mihisara was on hand to cross for his second try of the afternoon. Another Zumri conversion stretched it to 28-3.

Shaakib takes centre stage

From there, the younger Zumri took the game by the scruff of the neck. A clearance kick from the Sri Sumangala fly half went straight to Tharusha, who made good metres. Nimantha Sandeepa carried it further before feeding Shaakib, who powered over for his second try of the match (33-3).

Then came a team try that had everything. Shaahid Zumri launched a blistering run from the left corner and found Samiru Disas, who kept his balance beautifully along the touchline before offloading to the supporting Sandeepa. With too much pace for the Kandy defence, Sandeepa went over untouched. Shaahid converted again (40-3).

The hat trick came in style. A clearance kick from Isipathana was fumbled by the Sri Sumangala back field, and Disas, who gave chase like his life depended on it, stole the loose ball. He fed Mihisara, who made crucial yardage, before Shaakib sniped from the ruck and sprinted clear to complete a memorable hat trick on opening day (45-3).

Zumri senior gets in on the act to close it out

The final try of the afternoon was pure entertainment. Sri Sumangala knocked the ball forward and Shaahid Zumri pounced on the loose ball. What followed was outrageous. He used his football skills to kick the ball ahead not once, not twice, but three times, before diving on it over the try line for his second try of the game. The conversion missed, but nobody cared. The scoreboard read 50-3 and Havelock Park was buzzing.

Isipathana brought on fresh legs for the final ten minutes, and while some handling errors crept in, the result was never in doubt. Sri Sumangala came close to the whitewash once in the dying stages, but the Isipathana defence shut the door firmly.

Hat trick hero Shaakib steals the show

Shaakib Zumri was named NDB Bank Player of the Match for a performance that announced him to the schools rugby scene in emphatic fashion. His powerful carrying, clinical finishing, and that stunning hat trick made him the standout performer on a day when there was no shortage of quality across the park.

But beyond the individual brilliance, there was something special about watching the two Zumri brothers combine on the field. Shaahid orchestrating, Shaakib finishing. If this partnership continues to click, opposition defences are in for a very long season.

Fifty points on opening day. The Green Machine is up and running, and the ICOIC family is loving every minute of it.

Full time: Isipathana College 50 (8T 5C) beat Sri Sumangala College 03 (1P)

Isipathana College scorers: Shaahid Zumri 15 points (2 tries, 5 conversions), Shaakib Zumri 15 points (3 tries), Kenula Mihisara 10 points (2 tries), Nimantha Sandeepa 5 points (1 try)

Sri Sumangala College scorers: Adhil Nazar 3 points (1 penalty)

NDB Bank Player of the Match: Shaakib Zumri