Isipathana continue unbeaten run with another bonus point win

 DS player on the move just falling short of the try line

• Isipathana 22 points
• DS 6 points

By Shamseer Jaleel

Isipathana College continued their unbeaten run in the Dialog Schools Rugby League Under-19 Tournament when they got the better of D.S. Senanayake College by 22 points (4 tries, 1 conversion) to 6 points (2 penalties) win at the packed Havelock Park yesterday.

At the short breather Green Machines led 10/6.

Isipathana continued their winning spree and free three quarter moves in grand style. But their territory game and kick at goal was not at top level last evening. Once again Shahid Zumri their star Centre looked outstanding both in attack and defence. His dummied, foxed the D.S. players on many occasions and instrumental in two of the tries ending in scoring one of them and supporting his team with another with a beautiful reverse pass. Their skipper, Naveen Kanishka and Chamidu Botheju too played their hearts out for the Green Machines who collected their fourth bonus point in the ongoing league. They received bonus wins over Kingswood, S’Thomas and St. Joseph’s college and they are set for the league win in tandem.

Meanwhile D.S. Senanayake played well in patches and they ended in defending most part of the game. Their handling errors let them down in the end. Their skipper, Jayathu Rajaratne, Oman Wafa and Sehanda Umagiliyage played well for the Dons.

Isipathana drew first blood in the 1st minute of play. After a few phases Shehandu de Costa touched down. Rinesh Silva missed the kick at goal. A few minutes later D S opened scoring through their fly half, Umagiliyage was on target with a 30 meter penalty kick. Then it was no stopping Shahid Zumri who dummied his way to score left corner flag. On stroke of half time D S cut the deficit through Umagiliyage penalty to take the short breather at 6/10.

After the turn around Shenal Kalindu touched down but surprisingly Rinesh Silva missed the first three try conversions. Kaveen Thrusha touched down their last try plus bonus point one. Rinesh Silva at last fined his kicking form to take the Green Machine to 22/6 win.

Referee Gihan Yatawara controlled the game well.