Trinity College kept their unbeaten tag alive after they got a big win against Isipathana College 32-10 at a packed Pallekele Stadium, with two more weeks to go in the Dialog Schools Rugby League.
Trinity College started the game off in the fashion they have been known to this season. They swung the ball from side to side, before the captain Usman Safraz through a lovely offload to Hamza Abdeen to step and go over for the first try. Shan Althaf knocked over the extras to get Trinity the early lead. (Trinity 07 – 00 Isipathana)
A few minutes later, the Isipathana line was deemed offside. Shan Althaf took the shot at goal and got Trinity 3 more points. (Trinity 10 – 00 Isipathana)
It took a while for the next score to come, but it was Trinity that went in next as well. Udan Wijekoon spotted a gap, and put in a box kick in behind for Shan Althaf to chase. Althaf controlled the ball when and scored Trinity’s second try. He converted his own try to extend the lead. (Trinity 17 – 00 Isipathana)
With the half time beckoning, Isipathana were on the attack. Some lovely phase play from the green machine, open a huge gap out wide for Nimantha Sandeepa to score.
The kick was not successful, but Isipathana started their surge. (Trinity 17 – 05 Isipathana)
Half Time – Trinity 17 (2T, 2C, 1P) leads Isipathana 05 (1T)
Isipathana started the second half with a bang. It was Nimantha Sandeepa once again who went in to score. Some fantastic phase play once again got them the score. The conversation was unsuccessful once again. (Trinity 17 – 10 Isipathana)
The pendulum seemed to swinging towards Isipathana. But then came the game defining moment. Isipathana’s Number 8 Shaakib Zumri was shown a red card for a dangerous tackle on the Trinity skipper.
With the numbers advantage, Trinity got into their mojo. They started the period with the extra man advantage with a penalty kick. Usman Safraz forced a holding on penalty for Shan Althaf to get the 3. (Trinity 20 – 10 Isipathana)
The next try came from Trinity and in trademark fashion. The Althaf X Yaddehige combo came to the party. A well placed cross kick got Yaddehige in for his 11th try of the League. The kick went astray. (Trinity 25 – 10 Isipathana)
With the game in the bag, Trinity started their quest to get that all important bonus point try. Finally they managed to break open the Pathana defense as Dhishal Thomas scored off a pick and go. Althaf got the extra points.
The game came to a close and Trinity finally got their win over Isipathana. These two schools always play the game in the best spirits, and this game too boasted of brotherhood and camaraderie.
Full Time – Trinity 32 (4T, 3C, 2P) beat Isipathana 10 (2T)
- Swisstek Perfect Player of the Match – Usmaan Safraz (Trinity)
Points Breakdown
Trinity – Shan Althaf 1T, 3C, 2P, Hamza Abdeen – 1T, Minula Yaddehige – 1T, Dhishal Thomas – 1T
Isipathana – Nimantha Sandeepa 2T
