Isipathana outclasses Joes

The green machines stamp their supremacy by defeating St. Joseph’s College 49-22 in the grand finale of the Dialog Schools Rugby Knockout Championship

Dialog Axiata Group Marketing Senior General Manager – Brand and Media Harsha Samaranayake handing over the Dialog Schools Rugby Knockout Championship trophy to Isipathana skipper Dahan Nithina Wickremarachchi and Vice-Captain Praveen Stephan. Also from left: St. Joseph’s College Rector Fr. Ranjith Andradi, Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association Secretary Nirodha Wijerama, Ministry of Education Deputy Director – Sports Upali Amaratunga, Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association President B.A. Abeyratne, Isipathana College Principal Oshara Panditharathna and Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association Treasurer Damitha Perera

• Isipathana 49 points
• St. Joseph’s 22 points

By Shamseer Jaleel

Isipathana College ended their 2022 rugby season on a high note when they outclassed Joes despite of a late comeback by them in the second half by 49 points (7 tries, 4 conversions, 2 penalties) to 22 points (3 tries, 2 conversions, 1 penalty) win in their President Trophy Knock out rugby final which concluded at the Royal Sports Complex last evening.

At the short breather it was one horse race with a clean sheet for the Green Shirts with a 27/0 lead.

It was running rugby at its best with the Isipathana who showed clean pair of hands with fantastic ball handling ability which was on show for the packed crowd at the Royal Sports Complex. Their forwards too were mobile and the early three tries in the initial half put the Darley Road outfit shell shocked as they never expected this in the grand-final.

Isipathana lads led by skipper Daham Wickramarachchi, Malith Mihisara, Soorya Dodangoda and Praveen Stephan who all were omnipresent. They played their hearts out which put the Joes defence all over.

But though many would have written Joes off saying not fit to be in the final, after the turn around their Head Coach, Nilfer Ibrahim changed ploys and his boys played a better brand of rugby led by their Number 8, Naveen Marasinghe who was outstanding in defence as well in attack. He was unstoppable accounting for two quick tries. Though Joes scored once more in the later half there was no stopping the Green Shirts who crossed over for three more tires which put the Joes out of the game.

Isipathana not only won the double, League and Knock out but also ended the season unbeaten which is a unique record for the Havelock Town lads. Isipathana was coached by Saliya Kumara. Meanwhile Joes ended runner-up to the same opponent in both forms of the game this season.

Isipathana after missing an early penalty by Rinesha Silva in the 3rd minute of the game which brought Malith Mihsara for the kicking duties who put the Green Shirts on the board. After some brave moves Isipathana touched down through their skipper and number eight, Daham Wickramarachchi.

Malith Mihsara was on target with the kick at goal. Seven minutes later Navin Kanishka touched down for his first try with Malith Mihsara adding the extras to take the lead 17 to nothing. Malith Mihsara who did sis kicking duties to perfection added a penalty plus conversion of Venura Kodagoda try to take the short breather at 27 to nothing.

After the turn around all thought it will be a thumping on the Park but Joes Head Coach, Nilfer Ibrahim had other ideas he changed the entire ploy which resulted in two quick tries for their burly number eight, Naeen Marasinghe. Another try by Sachintha Waidyanantha and Dilhara Subash conversion not only took the scores to 27/19 favoring the Green Shirts but a Joes comeback on the card. But when they were doing well they lost their play maker and place kicker, Dilhara Subash for a “Yellow” card offense.

This gave a breathing space for Isipathana who made a comeback into the game in the later half through a superb left corner flag try by experienced, Praveen Stephan. In the meantime, Ruchitha Rodrigo doing the kicking duties for Joes added a penalty for the Darley Road outfit. But another try each by Praveen Stephan and Sehandu De Costa and Rinesh Silva conversion took the Green Shirts in to a very comfortable 44/22 lead.

Though Joes made some brave efforts for a comeback the score they conceded in the initial half was too much for a catch-up game. There was time for one more Wewala Panditha try to take the score to 49/22.

Referee Ishanka Abeykoon

This was the 11th occasion Isipathana won the President Trophy knock out tournament having ended runner-up on 12 times.

Dialog Axiata Senior General Manager Harsha Samaranayake was the Chief guest at the finals.