Isipathana College continued their winning momentum when they defeated a formidable Science College outfit 35 points to 08 in their 2019 Singer Schools Rugby League encounter played at the Science College grounds in Mount Lavinia.
Early exchanges of this game were dominated by the home side as they played a few phases in the close quarters and gained a penalty in front of the sticks. Prince Ravising slotted in the easy three-pointer to take his team to an early lead. (SC 03 – 00 IC)
Video – Science College – The ‘Giant Killers’ are back!
Isipathana replied quickly as they formed a rolling maul which was a surprise for everyone as this game was expected to be a contest between the two back lines. The Pathana forwards took the rolling maul over the line, gaining more than 30 meters in the process as skipper Janith Serasinghe scored from the back of the maul. Manelka Ruberu bisected the uprights to add the extras. (SC 03 – 07 IC)
After a few passages of play, Science were deemed offside by referee Abeykoon and Ruberu obliged with the easy kick in front of the sticks to increase the lead for the Green Machine. (SC 03 – 10 IC)
Video – Isipathana Rugby – Re-building the Green Machine?
Pathana continued with their good momentum as last year’s skipper Ruberu broke through the Science defense and quick hands by the Pathana backs sent Raees Akthar over the line in the corner to further increase the Pathana lead. The conversion was unsuccessful. (SC 03 – 15 IC)
Broken whistles and muddy boots
Isipathana stamped their authority when the speedy backs gained value meters and a change of direction in play by the nifty scrum half Chamath Kalhara paid dividends as Raees Akthar scored his second of the game. Once again, the conversion went astray. (SC 03 – 20 IC)
In the dying stages of the first half, Isipathana set up a brilliant team try, running from their own half with quick hands. They demolished the Science defense along the way as Ashan Gunasekara went over for the bonus point try – unfortunately for them, it went unconverted. (SC 03 – 25 IC)
Half Time – Science College 03 (1P) – Isipathana College 25 (4T,1C,1P)
Pathana continued playing some attractive rugby in the 2nd half too as Praveen Stephan went past three defenders with quick feet. His teammates managed to spread the ball wide through to Ruberu, who threw a long cut out pass to Ramitha De Silva, who found the white wash. Ruberu made a superb conversion from the touch line to put the game to bed. (SC 03 – 32 IC)
ThePapare.com – 10 years and counting
Manelka Ruberu, was really having a good game and he continued to have an impact on the game, this time slotting in a 35 meter three-pointer to increase the lead for the Green Machine, in the final quarter of the game. (SC 03 – 35 IC)
Isipathana lost their second rower Tharindu Sandaruwan, when he was sin-binned for an infringement at the breakdown, and Science finally managed to score when their scrum half snuck in through the Pathana defense after sustained pressure from the Science forwards. The conversion by Ravising unfortunately hit the left upright and the game was called to an end within a few minutes.
Full Time – Science College 08 (1T,1C) – Isipathana College 35 (5T,2C,2P)
ThePapare.com’s Player of the Match – Manelka Ruberu (Isipathana College)
Match Referee – Ishanka Abeykoon
Breakdown
Science College: Try from Rasanga Weerasinghe and penalty from Prince Ravising
Isipathana College: Tries from Ramitha De Silva, Ashan Gunasekara, Janith Serasinghe, Raees Akthar (2), conversions (2) & penalties (2) by Manelka Ruberu
Cautions & Send offs:
Isipathana College: Tharindu Sandaruwan (Yellow)
