Ruberu’s bold decision help Pathana secure draw over gritty Thomians
At Mount, the game was close - Pic by M.D. Nissanka
Former Isipathana College captain and coloursman Manilka Ruberu’s bold decision to take a 30-metre penalty despite fans urging a lineout, after the end of the 70 minutes, saved the Green Machine as they equalised 12-12 against S. Thomas’ College in the latter’s homeground in Mt. Lavinia yesterday.
S. Thomas’ scored from two tries and a conversion, while the Greens went tryless and settled for four penalties.
The game opened under a tight security presence at the college grounds in Mt. Lavinia. Both teams started slow and play was sloppy in the first half. The home team opened the scoring when Shenuk Perera broke through a paralysed Pathana defence to touch down. Basula Weerasinghe converted this to put the Thoras in the lead by seven minutes.
The score remained thus for the first half an hour. Isipathana had two chances down the left wing but wing-three-quarter Ramitha de Silva was cut short twice; once by a hefty Thomian defence and then by clumsy handling.
With some solid defending by the Blue-Black and Blue, the Isipathana threequarters were left frustrated. However, they got their first points on the board when Ruberu scored a penalty in the 33rd minute. S. Thomas’ led 7-3 at half time.
As the second half got underway Pathana received their best chance to bag in five points when a brilliant move created by the three quarters saw the flyhalf in an open position to charge in and touch down, which he did. But it was off an illegal pass to the dismay of the visiting team.
Pathana dominated the opening phase of the second half and two quick penalties from Ruberu eventually put the Greens in the lead by two points. It was the Thora defence that kept the game alive and tight as both teams increased the offensive.
After a lot of huffing and puffing, the best move of the game came in the final ten minutes,which put Thomas is a winning position. Almost all Thora players worked the ball and it was set up in a ruck on the far end of the field. A savvy move by Sakith Perera saw him collect the ball from the and dash around a confused Pathana defence to score to loud cheer. Weerasinghe’s conversion was way off this time.
As the 70 minutes were up the spectator intensity shot up. But the home team had to concede a penalty in the middle of the pitch. Ruberu hedged his bets and went for the safer option despite fans screaming for a line-out. As the ball sailed through the post the home fans groaned in dismay.
Referee Rohan Fernando proved disappointing as he overlooked dangeorus play from both sides and struggled to keep pace.
St. Peter’s overpower Science
St. Peter’s College were able to clinch a comfortable 22-3 win against Science College at their homeground in Bambalapitiya. The Peterites led 10-3 at half time. They secured a bonus point after scoring four tries.