Unbeaten Isipathana prove their class

Isipathana regain league and Knock out trophies 

By Shamseer Jaleel

Saliya Kumara Head Coach of Isipathana

Isipathana College, better known for their rugby football which is like ducks taking to water, proved once again they are simply the best in the school’s rugby season in 2022. 

They not only ended as the League Champions but also as the Knockout champions plus unbeaten the whole season in their 10 encounters which they played in 2022.

Without any doubt, the school with no foreign coach or big facility but propped up by Kotmale and Quickee.lk plus their die-hard old boys they were able to achieve this and the budget could be in the region of more than Rs. 30 million this season.

They were very fortunate to get Saliya Kumara, the former Trinity player, Sri Lanka Sevens and fifteens representative plus the national Women’s Head Coach. Saliya being one of the most knowledgeable in the field and technically correct which helped the boys to fine tune their knowledge in their game. Isipathana players have the flair for fast open rugby and nothing was short this year.

They were led by Dahan Nithina and some outstanding seniors such as Sooriya Dodangoda, Wewela Pandith, Praveen Stephan, Naveen Kanishka and Malith Mihisara.

The Green Shirts accumulated 145 points in their seven games and conceded 89 points while in the Knockout tournament in their three encounters aggregate was 116 points against 41 points. They also set a record by scoring the highest by a team beating their own record which was set up in 2016 against Royal which was 47/12. They ended by scoring a massive 49 points against Joes who could reply with only 22 points.

Saliya Kumara, speaking to Daily FT, said: “I must thank our main sponsors Kotmale and quickee.lk along with the old boys who propped up with rugby this season. I would like to thank the Isipathana Rugby Committee for trusting my ability and giving this opportunity to coach their Ist XV outfit. 

“I was able to make decisions on my own and they did not interfere with my work at any stage of the season. Boys were very humble and eager to learn which made my job interesting and easier in the end.”

Dialog League 2022 career

• Beat Science 18/9, Wesley 10 /0, St. Peter’s 29/17, Dharmaraja 26/12, Vidyartha 25/23, St. Joseph’s 16/13 and Royal 21/15

• Knockouts: Beat Dharmaraja 38/6, S. Thomas’ 29/13 and St. Joseph’s 49/22

Isipathana Rugby Squad for 2022

• Dahan Nithina (Captain), Senuth Dinusha, Venura Sangeeth, Kavin Tharusha, Soorya Dodangoda, Kenula Mihisara, Wewala Pandith, Nisanja Jayaweera, Sehandu De Costa, Naveen Kanishka, Praveen Stephan, Sonal Sansoni, Chamidu Chirath, Rinesh Silva, Malith Mihisara, Lasith Nilupul, Dunila Hansidu, Chamath Iroshan, Tehan Eanaweera, Lahiru Akash, Mesaada Rashvida, Hashen Randimal, Kalindu Silva, Shahid Zumri, Dinadu Thinul, Manula Heshan, Pubudu Shashin, Samith Ravishan, Hesara Nayanjith, Tharinda Eranda, Abdullah Faizer and Chamindu Dilshan

• Head Coach: Saliya Kumara

• Forwards Coach: Dhanushka Botheju

• Head of Strength and Condition: Tharaka Algama

• Trainer: Hashen Homes

• Physio: Shafeen Majeed

• Team Doctor: Asanka Weligamage

• Masseur: Supun Chandana

• Manager: Rehan Mussadiq

• MIC: Sumedha Chanaka