Green Machine begin title defending quest with thumping win
Isipathana College began their quest of defending their Dialog President’s Trophy Schools Rugby Knockout Championship title when they thumped a hapless, yet gritty Sri Sumangala College, Kandy by 61-0 at Havelock Park yesterday. Isipathana’s 10-try win will see them take on Wesley College in the quarter-final clash on May 4 at the Royal Complex, as the defending champions comfortably led the halftime by 30-0.
Out of the 10 tries scored by Isipathana, five came during the first half while the rest were braced in the second session. After their regular kicker and flyhalf Avishka Hiran failed to slot the first four tries, he made amendments in his fifth attempt, after slotting a penalty in the 17th minute. Fullback Nimantha Sandeepa, who scored two tries of the 10, took over kicking duties to put over the three remaining conversions made.
The Green Machine made a slow approach to their season opener as they gradually raked in points while committing unforced errors. Sri Sumangala, who failed to score, were clinical collectively and forced Isipathana to work their way towards the tryline in set pieces.
Winger Abdul Azeez opened scoring in the sixth minute, followed by a try by Sandeepa in the tenth, and a third in the 19th minute by Hiran, who had put over a penalty two minute earlier. Following their three trademark tries, and a brief go-slow phase, scrumhalf Sithupa Bomesh breached the Sumangala defence in the 24th minute, a drive that led the pathway to score Sandeepa’s second try in the 27th minute.
After the turnaround Sri Sumangala looked energised, frustrating Isipathana for more than 15 minutes. Yet, the defending champions were composed and forced their opponents to give in, after which the floodgates opened. Winger Samiru Disas (50), skipper and flanker Thinethra Dodangoda (52), centre Shaakib Zumri (64), and two collective tries that came in the 66th and 70th minutes of the game sealed Isipathana’s thumping victory book their berth in the quarter-final clash against Wesley.