Two sides desperately looking for a win in their league campaign, Isipathana College being the needier converted necessity to motivation and took home the win after a second half rally.
Isipathana’s fortunes in their 2013 campaign seems like it has been hit by a curse of old, not having notched up a single win. A two week break from the league to fine tune themselves too did not add to any betterment as they went down to Science College in their previous week’s encounter. There appeared to be a change in the green camp leadership with the side being led by Flanker Senal Deelaka appearing at the toss and at the ref’s side for on-field issues. St Joseph’s College on the other hand had mixed fortunes with only a solitary win under their belt and were probably looking to get one over a dejected Isipathana side.
The Joes did not take long to set the tone as they demonstrated authority right from the kick off with the Pathanian’s immediately being on the back foot. The continuous pressure took the blue-whites to the Pathana 5 meter and a quick tap by Captain Jason Melder saw him go over the line almost under the post blasting through the defense. S. Kurumbalapitiya did not have any problems with the conversion Joes up 7 nothing only 4 minutes into the game.
The flow of the game changed with Pathana coming out with some of their own pressure, but it was far from the usual fiery brand which they are known for. The green camp barely managed to keep possession at the breakdown but secured ball be it by fortune or prayer. The phases kept coming and threatened the opposition but the inability of the side to finish was abundantly clear as the Joes managed to get out of jail despite the pressure.
Play continued with the pendulum swinging either way but the Joes had the upper hand with the Pathanians coming out with the occasional streak of brilliance but inadequate to get the points on the board. The Joes were the ones with their heads in the game, as an Uditha Premathilaka “dolly” pass was intercepted by Akila Hansuk to sprint 50 plus meters to score under the post. Kurumbalapitya once more taking the conversion did not have any problems -score to 14 nothing Joes. There was worry as to whether it was going to be just another day in the Pathana 2013 league campaign, but the Pathana spectators known for the support of their side were still screaming themselves hoarse, this was at least motivation for the players if not anything else!
It took some doing, but Pathana finally got on the board via P. Gunathilake taking a few hard hits and hand offs to go over the line. Hirantha Perera came good with the conversion from left of the post took the score line to 14-7. The green camp had the opportunity to narrow the deficit with a couple of penalties courtesy of some meager pressure on their behalf. Hirantha converted the penalties, 14-13 and Pathana was hot on the heels of the Darley road battalion.
Keeping to their paltry form the Isipathanian’s caved into pressure in their own 5 meter line with a forward onslaught by the Joes. Melder was once more allowed to go over with a quick tap and a push over in the vicinity of the posts. Conversion being clean took the score to 21-13.
The Pathana camp would have loved to reduce the deficit at this point with the short whistle momentarily away. If so was their wish, granted it was! This time a line out from 5 meters took Senal Deelaka over the line, powering his way with a commanding rush. 21-18 was what the score read as Hirantha missed the conversion. The scores remained the same at the half with a penalty also being missed by the green camp just before the break. St Joseph’s took the lead into the breather.
Hastha Udyoga and Senal Deelaka led the green men from the front but the rest of the forwards were slightly disorderly in securing ball and turnover at the breakdown. For the Darley road battalion it was Captain Melder who was the ball carrier many a time with his huge hits.
The Joes had the opportunity of extending their lead during this period but Kurumbalapitiya was unsuccessful with a penalty on offer out from the 40 meter point. It was Isipathana who scored first in the second half as once more ball passed hands, although sloppy ones, to work the ball wide seeing Isanka Panchama going over at the corner with some good individual stepping and speed. Hirantha had a difficult angle but slotted it cleanly putting the green camp ahead for the first time.
Isipathana trying to wipe the deficit off the board were giving it their all. They pushed and prodded gaining yardage and losing it to better opposition plays. The efforts of the green machine finally bore fruition in the 66th minute with a rickety, creaking green machine going over this time courtesy of the ball passing the hands of Hirantha, Senal and finally for Uditha Premathilaka to score in the corner. Conversion went astray scores, 30-21 as Isipathana extended their lead.
The final 10 minutes in the game saw the Joes trying to breach the defense of their opponents with only marginal profits. It was a positive play passage from both teams; Joes were constantly looking to win the game opting for yardage the greens not playing ‘the wasting time’ to take the game home as it was.
The scores remained at 30 to 21 as the long whistle of referee D.Nimal went off and it was a joyous and relieved Isipathana camp, team and supporters alike having their side record their first win in the league. The Joes looked the more cohesive team with good possession and phases and they would have had expectations to take the game given their opposition’s recent track record but the Pathana streaks of good play was just adequate to take the game away from the spirited St Joseph’s side, emphasizing the great and beautiful game of uncertainty that rugby is.
By no means will the winners have it easy as the rest of their campaign entails top sides including the Saints of Bamba and the Lions of the Hill capital.
