Isipathana, a star-studded outfit

By Shamseer Jaleel

They say “Isipathana playing rugby is like ducks taking to water.” The specialty in Isipathana rugby in the last five decades is that they are a very determined lot with less facilities compared to most of the other schools in the country, even without their own ground to practice. 

These reasons put their win in league and knockout much more special for Kushan Induil’s outfit in 2016. Coached by one of the best in the country, Nilfer Ibrahim, they went down only once the whole season – that was to the Thomians in the Schools sevens final this year.Wingers in the outfit Chamod Fernando and Ranidu Padmasanka both scored eight tries each. Skipper Kasun Indunil (7) and Sumudu Rankothge (11) scored the majority of tries for Pathana while fly-half Randy Silva was noted in the Milo final with a hat-trick of tries which opened the flood gates for Pathana lads. Their forwards too were equally good which made the job for Nilfer and Henry (Assistant Coach) easy with trainer Dyan doing all the hard work with the lads. They beat all schools in the league with the closest being the two between them and Trinity and the Thomians. Milo was clearly a one horse race, handing off Royal and their rolling maul with 47/12 win. This was possible after much debate. Isipathana correctly on their part refused to play at Royal Complex which gave the Reid Avenue school and undue advantage. But the Thomians who gave into the demands of the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association played their semi-final at Royal Complex and ended on the losing side. Hats off to the Principal and the Rugby Committee of Isipathana for standing up and fighting for the correct thing, which should happen at all times.

Isipathana secured the double in Schools rugby in 2016

In their College rugby history, they have won the schools sevens (21), ending Runner-up (10), League champions (18), Runner-up league (10), Knockout (13) and Runner-up Knockout (11), SLRFU Under 21 sevens, Under 20 Gymkhana Sevens, Thurstan Rugby Sevens, Singer Sri Lankan School Sevens (4), Zahira Sevens and became Schools triple champions on six occasions which is a unique and unmatched record for any school in the island. 

Sumudu Rankothge, their star centre, was recognised when he was selected as the Deputy Skipper for Sri Lanka Under 18 sevens tour of Hong Kong next week.