Isipathana College held off a determined late push from Kingswood College to claim a hard-fought 32-22 victory in their second-week encounter of the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2025, played at the Bogambara Stadium.
Kingswood College, coming off a narrow loss last week, hosted President’s Trophy champions Isipathana College in a crucial Dialog Schools Rugby League 2025 clash under wet and muddy conditions in Kandy.
It was the visitors who made the first impact. Isipathana skipper Thinethra Dodamgoda turned over a Kingswood line-out, and after a few composed phases, scrum-half Sithupa Bometh exploited the blindside to send winger Samiru Disas over the line for the opening try.
(KCK 00-05 IC)
Kingswood responded with determination, taking control of possession and territory. Their pressure paid off near the Isipathana five-meter line, where they won a penalty for offside. Skipper Thaveesha Ekanayake took a quick tap and fed playmaker Ashik Asmi, who released winger Dulaj Fernando to score and level the match.
(KCK 05-05 IC)
Moments later, Kingswood continued to build momentum. Fly-half Asmi executed a brilliant 50-22 kick, pinning the visitors deep. Although the resulting line-out throw from Duleesha Rasanjana was overcooked, No. 8 Akila Dilshan was alert to the opportunity—collecting the ball and crashing over for Kingswood’s second try.
(KCK 10-05 IC)
Trailing on the scoreboard, Isipathana remained composed. They capitalized on Kingswood’s discipline issues, patiently working their way up the field. The forwards laid a solid platform in the difficult conditions, and Bometh once again proved a livewire threat—this time selling a dummy and sneaking over for a crucial try. Avishka Hiran’s conversion put the visitors into a narrow lead heading into halftime.
Half-time: Kingswood College 10 (2T) – Isipathana College 12 (2T, 1C)
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Isipathana carried their momentum into the second half. A breakdown penalty allowed Hiran to find touch, and from the three-man line-out, captain Dodamgoda combined well with prop Sethum Rajapaksha, who powered through two defenders to extend their lead.
(KCK 10-17 IC)
The Green Machine struck again when Kingswood were penalized for offside on a goal-line dropout. Bometh, ever-alert, tapped quickly and darted over for the bonus-point try, catching the defense napping.
(KCK 10-22 IC)
Conditions continued to deteriorate, but Isipathana adapted brilliantly. Playmaker Hiran nailed a precision 50-22 kick, setting up a rolling maul from which hooker Kaveen Jayasinghe dotted down, pushing the game beyond the hosts.
(KCK 10-27 IC)
With ten minutes remaining, Kingswood finally stirred. From a 40-meter scrum, Akila Dilshan broke away powerfully and laid the foundation for Maduranga Pushpakumara to smash over the whitewash. Asmi added the extras to keep hopes alive.
(KCK 17-27 IC)
Kingswood struck again shortly after, launching a counter from their own 22. Asmi spotted space behind the defense, and a clever kick-chase involving multiple players ended with Dulaj Fernando diving over to narrow the deficit further.
(KCK 22-27 IC)
But it was Isipathana who had the final say. After sustained pressure and solid ball retention, Shakib Zumri carried strongly before Bometh found Abdul Ahamed, who timed his pass perfectly to release Avishka Hiran for the final try, sealing a deserved win.
Full Time: Kingswood College 22 (4T,1C) – Isipathana College 32 (6T,1C)
Swisstek Perfect Player of the Match: Sithupa Bometh (Isipathana College)
Points Breakdown
Kingswood College 22
Dulaj Fernando 2T, Akila Dilshan 1T, Maduranga Pushpakumara 1T, Ashik Asmi 1C.
Isipathana College 32
Samiru Disas 1T, Sithupa Bometh 2T, Sethum Rajapaksha 1T, Kaveen Jayasinghe 1T, Avishka Hiran 1T,1C
