Isipathana College hosted newly promoted Mahanama College on Sunday (08th June) at the Havelock Park in a game where the pendulum swung both ways before the Green Machine sealed the game in the last quarter as the final scoreline read 34-19.
Isipathana began their account just in the 3rd minute of the game when they made early inroads deep into opposition territory and Sithupa Bometh finished the job with a quick pick and go. Thenula de Costa added the extras for the hosts (IC 07 – 00 MC)
The Green Machine once again entered the opposition half shortly after and from a line-out they kickstarted a rolling maul which was too much for Mahanama to handle as Hooker Thanura Witharana touched down for a 2nd try and de Costa converted it to increase the lead further (IC 14 – 00 MC)
In the first 15 minutes of the game it looked like it was going to be a very long day for Mahanama College but they managed to turn the momentum around making use of some handling errors from the fresh backline combinations of Isipathana. They returned the favor to Isipathana with a powerful rolling maul inside their half and some lovely passing from right to left enable skipper Nivith Kannangara to find the whitewash. Sithum Sandeepa added the extras to give the visitors more momentum (IC 14 – 07 MC)
Mahanama once again found themselves inside the Isipathana 22m territory less than 10 minute later and Sandeepa’s cross kick from right to left was misjudged by Samiru Disas on top of the try line as Isuru Akash made use of the opportunity to score another try for the underdogs. The conversion didn’t go through but the game was well within Mahanama’s reach at this moment as the teams went for the half-time break (IC 14 – 12)
Half-Time : IC 14 (2T 2C) – 12 (2T 1C) MC
Right at the beginning of the 2nd half, Mahanama kept piling up the pressure on the home team and the young Fly Half for Isipathana probably made the only mistake of the whole game when he didn’t connect a clearance kick well and it went to the right of the field which got wide open for Nimsara Hapuhinna who had no probable running around and stepping from 2 Isipathana defenders. Sandeepa converted the try as Mahanama found themselves in the lead against the much fancied Isipathana (IC 14 – 19 MC)
After making some tactical changes, Isipathana started find themselves inside rhythm slowly as Mahanama started to lose shape in the final quarter of the match losing their own line-outs back to back against the formidable Thrinethra Dodangoda. The first opportunity Isipathana received from kicking distance they went for points and de Costa added the 3 to cut the deficit down (IC 17 – 19 MC)
Isipathana then kept hitting back with the little momentum they found and the rolling mauls also started to work for Isipathana once again. Another solid push from a rolling maul and some nice running angles from the forwards took them very close to the try line as the powerhouse Nevith Mevnaka scored the try which gave Isipathana the lead once again. Although the conversion didn’t go over, the home team was breathing a bit easier (IC 22 – 19 MC)
Unfortunately for Mahanama their discipline started to degrade big time during the rucks as they were continuously found offside adding to the line-out woes. Making use of their superior line-outs Isipathana kept hitting hard at Mahanama and the likes of Shaakib Zumri, de Costa and skipper Dodangoda combined showcasing some top class passing to score the bonus point try for the Green Machine which put them in a very comfortable situation going into the last few minutes (IC 27 – 19 MC)
Mahanama tried their level best find the whitewash again but unfortunately Isipathana’s defensive effort was too strong and even during the line-outs they received inside the opposition 22m territory, Mahanama were unable to win a single one. Right at the end Isipathana added another try to their tally through Kaveen Jayasinghe and Nimantha Sandeepa converted it to seal the deal for Isipathana (IC 34 – 19 MC)
The final scoreline doesn’t do justice to how well Mahanama College played against the President’s Trophy winners Isipathana and they certainly deserved to walk away with at least one point from this game which they were unfortunately unable to do. At one point it even looked like the Green Machine might even collapse at their home ground but as always they managed to overcome a high pressure situation.
Mahanama College have only themselves to blame for all the unforced errors they committed and if they can improve those aspects, they can surely put a lot of other teams in their group under a huge amount of pressure.
Thenula de Costa the youngster who had to takeover as the Fly Half because of the injury to Avishka Hiran was adjudged SWISSTEK PERFECT PLAYER OF THE MATCH for the workload he had to do with the kicks, passing and ball carrying. He is certainly a bright prospect for Isipathana that can do wonders if he continues in this manner.
Isipathana will be disappointed that they had to do it the hard way but in a way it was good for them to start off with a crunch game leading up to the next 4 games of the first round.
Full-Time : Isipathana College 34 (5T 3C 1P) defeated Mahanama College 19 (3T 2C)
- SWISSTEK PERFECT PLAYER OF THE MATCH : Thenula de Costa (IC)
Points Breakdown
Isipathana College : Thrinethra Dodangoda 5 Points (1T), Nevith Mevnaka 5 Points (1T), Kaveen Jayasinghe 5 Pointd (1T), Sithupa Bometh 5 Points (1T), Thanura Witharana 5 Points (1T), Thenula de Costa 7 Points (2C 1P), Nimantha Sandeepa 2 Points (1C)
Mahanama College : Navith Kannangara 5 Points (1T), Nimsara Hapuhinna 5 Points (1T), Isuru Akash 5 Points (1T), Sithum Sanddep 4 Points (2C)
 at the Havelock Park in a game where the pendulum swung both ways before the Green Machine sealed the game in the last quarter as the final scoreline read 34-19. ){kind=link}