Defending champs Isipathana outclass Trinity

By Shamseer Jaleel

Defending Milo President Trophy champions Isipathana progressed to the finals of the Milo Knockout tournament when they beat Trinity by 37 (3 goals, 2 tries, 2 penalties) to 28 points (2 goals, 1 try, 3 penalties) at the Royal Sports Complex yesterday.

At halftime the winners led 27-14.

Isipathana from the kickoff looked a better side with their speedy three-quarter line. They hardly made any mistakes in the initial half. Their skipper and Number 8 Omalka Gunaratne once again led their side creditably. Trinitian skipper Isuru Rangala played an outstanding game too. Flanker Rukshan Dhammapala and centre Ryan Weerakoon too played well in patches. Trinity got their options correct but their execution was far from perfect enough to beat the Isipathana outfit. They made mistakes at crucial moments while on attack. They lost the ball continuously during line-outs.

Isipathana drew first blood in the fifth minute of the game when Fly Half Isuru Congahawatte executed a 30-meter penalty. But Trinity hit back through a Ryan Weerakoon try to take the lead. But it was short-lived as Isipathana winger Silva scored to take the lead. 

Soon afterwards Trinity Fullback Shanushka Abeywickrema put over a 25-meter penalty to level the score at eight apiece. Within the next five minutes Fullback Shanushka put Trinity into the lead with another penalty. But Isipathana scored back-to-back tries through Punchihewa and Gallage to take a 20-11 lead. On the stroke of halftime, Rehan Silva scored another try for the Havelock Town school.

After the turnaround Trinity scored through Isuru Rangala and Alahakoon. Both were converted by Fly Half Lashan Wijesuriya. For Isipathana one try was scored in the latter half by Dilshan while Isuru Congahawatte put over a penalty. The game was refereed by Irshard Cader.

Isipathana will meet the winners of today’s encounter between Royal and Science College at Havelock Park. Both teams will field their best available players in this do-or-die encounter in order to reach the finals.