Isipathana shattered Peterite hopes of defending their league title to score a high-riding 42-29 win in their Under-20 inter-school league rugby match at Bambalapitiya yesterday.
Both teams played equally to their potential as well as concede vital mistakes but Isipathana gathered momentum after the turnaround to put the Peterites on the defense. During the first half both teams fought equally well as St. Peter’s held on to a 15-11 lead at half time.
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| An Isipathana player tries to get past a Peterite - Pic by Mangala Weerasekera |
The Green Shirts ran down to score six tries with three conversions and added two penalties to their tally. St. Peter’s posted five tries with two conversions.
Both sides came into the game to keep their league titles alive. Isipathana who are usually renowned to play with their stronger three-quarters approached with a totally contrasting game plan from the first whistle. They played to the strengths of their forwards who were superior to St. Peter’s.
Third-row-forward Prasad Madushanka drew first blood for Isipathana in the 10th minute of the game with a try off a maul which was unconverted. Eight minutes later St. Peter’s equalized through centre Danushka Ranjan who dummied through the Isipathana defence to touch down by the right flank.
A penalty in the 26th minute taken by fullback Shanaka Kumara gave Isipathana an 8-5 lead. In the very next minute the strong three-quarter line came alive to give fly half Dulaj Perera the opportunity to touch down. With the try going unconverted St. Peter’s regained the lead at 10-8.
Four minutes later the Peterite back division was caught off side and Kumara took the chance to give Isipathana back the lead at 11-10 with a penalty. In the 40th minute of the first half skipper and centre Bhanuka Nanayakkara barged through a maul to score an unconverted try which gave St. Peter’s a 15-11 lead.
Soon as the game turned around flanker Sajid Shuaib rampaged to stun the Peterite defense by scoring a well worked off try to give Isipathana back the lead at 16-15. In the 54th minute fullback Kumara helped Isipathana to expand the lead at 21-15 with an unconverted try.
Lock Wasula Wimalaweera and centre Mekalanka Pramoda scored tries ten minutes apart from the 60th minute to put Isipathana in the box seat. With both tries being converted by Kumara they enjoyed a healthy 35-15 lead. Peterite skipper gave back his team the hopes of a comeback when he scored a fine try ten minutes from the final whistle. Scrumhalf Rizwan Meedin added the extra points as St. Peter’s trailed 35-22.
In the 76th minute centre Shamal Chathuranga put Isipathana in the comfort zone at 42-22 with a try as Kumara made the conversion. In the final minute fly half Perera split the entire Isipathana defense to touch down and Meedin added extra points. D Nimal refereed. |
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