A massive 2nd half performance from Isipathana, and a hat-trick from Shaakib Zumri saw Isipathana scoring 24 unanswered points to seal their spot in the Semi Finals of the Dialog Schools Rugby Knockout Championship 2025.
With all eyes on Nittawela on the 3rd of May, all roads in Colombo lead to the Royal College Sports Complex for what was expected to be a mouth watering quarter final.
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It was Isipathana who had the first opportunity to open the scoring as the Wesley Prop Forwards effort to roll away was deemed too slow. They opted for the post, but the woes off the tee continued for Isipathana, as Avishka Hiran missed the Penalty.
It was Wesley who then started to go all guns blazing. A busting run from Prarthana Rodrego put the Isipathana defense in shambles before they spread it out wide to Kaveesha Dilhara, who ran onto the ball with pace to score a try of individual brilliance. The kick from Abdul Haadi went astray as Wesley took the early lead. (Isipathana 00 – 05 Wesley)
The Double Blues struck again within the next five minutes only to be called back for a forward pass. It was a well set maul, and perfect running from Dilhara again that cracked open the green wall before he gave a stunning offload out to Haadi, who drew the last defender and put Prarthana Radrego in for the try. Unfortunately for the Weselyites the offload was deemed to be forward.
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Wesley kept on trying to penetrate the defense of Isipathana, until they forced a string of penalties which led to the flanker Sanuth Jayaweera being sent to the bin for repeated infringements.
The lads from Wesley were quick to pounce on the extra man advantage. They swung the ball outside to get Kaveesha Dilhara in space to touch down for a try. The kick from the corner flag was not successful as Wesley increased their lead. (Isipathana 00 – 10 Wesley)
Isipathana answered swiftly. A few pick and goes from their forwards, sucked in the Wesley defense which opened the gap out wide for Winger Isuru Udayanga to go over the try line. The horrendous day off the tee for both schools continued as the conversion from Nimantha Sandeepa went to the right of the sticks. (Isipathana 05 – 10 Wesley)
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With half time looming, Isipathana had to score next to stay in the contest. A deliberate charge down from Wesley Fly half Kaizer Lye saw him being sent to the naughty chair.
From here on, it was all a green story. Isipathana put in a comeback for the ages. A well worked set piece move, and few busting runs from the Pathana forwards gave way for Shaakib Zumri to go over for a try. Sandeepa missed his mark yet again off the tee. (Isipathana 10 – 10 Wesley)
Half Time – Isipathana 10 (2T) vs Wesley 10 (2T)
This game was now going to be won by the team that came all guns blazing out from the sheds. Isipathana was the team that looked the hungriest. They had a title to defend.
Things started to click well for the green machine. A few tackle breaking runs from Prop Sithum Rajapakse, good tactical kicking from the backs and a hat trick of tries from the lanky No.8, Shaakib Zumri, saw Isipathana clinching this game.
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The Isipathana forwards did a lot of work at ruck time, and won the battle on the ground. The replacements that came in made an impact as well.
Shaakib Zumri scored not once, but twice in the second half, with both tries being converted.
Wesley had no answers to the Isipathana attack. With fatigue and exhaustion setting in, they had to climb a mountain if they were to catch up.
Although Wesley looked to threaten, their execution let them down as referee Ishanka Abeykoon who had a good day with the whistle blew for full time.
Full Time – Isipathana 24(4T, 2C) vs Wesley 10 (2T)
- Swisstek Player of the Match – Shaakib Zumri (Isipathana College)
Points Breakdown
Isipathana 24 – Shaakib Zumri 15 Points (3T), Isuru Udayanga 5 Points (1T), Nimantha Sandeepa 4 Points (2C)
Wesley 10 – Kaveesha Dilhara 10 Points (2T)
