Isipathana second half burst too much for Zahira

• Isipathana 39 points 
• Zahira 10 points

A shaky start but superb second half burst took Isipathana College in to the Dialog Schools Knock Out final when they overcame a spirited Zahirian outfit by 39 points (6 tries, 3 conversions, a penalty) to 10 (1 try, 1 conversion and 1 penalty) at Havelock Park yesterday.

At the short breather Green Shirts led 13/10.

Zahira gave a superb exhibition of open rugby by their three quarters and well supported by their heavy forwards in the initial half. They stood out in play with Aadhil Rafeek and Mohamed Azam and Tuan Chunchi were outstanding. For the Green Shirts once again Rinesh Silva, Shahid Zumry and skipper, Naveen Kanishka were omnipresent.

Zahira drew first blood through Aadhil Rafeek try and Ahamed Saad conversion to take early lead 7/0 in the fourth minute of the game. It took Isipathana another 10 minutes to hit back through Winger Hashen Randimal try. Rinesh Silva who had a grand outing after missing the conversion kick was on target with a penalty to take the lead 8/7 favoring the Green Shirts.

Isipathana who kept on attacking in Zahira territory scored once again through Randimal which was his second try who danced his way to score. On stroke of half time Zahira cut the deficit through Ahamed Saad penalty to take the short breather at 10/13 with 3 points deficit.

During the second half, the Green Shirts hit top gear though some powerful moves by their Centre Shahid Zumry, who, as usual had a superb game along with Rinesh Silva and initiated many moves which looked threatening. In the end Isipathana crossed over no less than 4 times and Zahirians could not respond with any as they defended most part of the later half.

Chamindu Chirath, Nisaja Jayaweera, Chamath Iroshan and Avishka Hiran scored their second half tries. Skipper, Naveen Kanishka put over 2 try conversions while the last one was converted by Niran Avishka which was his own try.

Referee Raveen Alexander

- (SJ)