Isipathana made to fight hard for win
Isipathana, though coming out victorious, was made to fight hard by Science College before pulling off a close 18 points to 9 win in their opening match of the Dialog Schools Rugby tournament played at Havelock Park yesterday. Isipathana, having taken a slender 13-6 lead at the breather, accumulated their points through three tries and a penalty to the three penalties scored by Science College. Much was expected from the Isipathana side, who are noted for their fast open games, but it was not to be as they found it hard to get past the Science defence, who restricted them to two tries and a penalty in the first-half and a solitary try in the second-half.
For Isipathana full-back Malith Minsara went over for their first try and then booted over a penalty with hooker Venura Sangeeth making the second try while for Science College fly half Naveen Kanishka booted over the two penalties.
Referee – Ishanka Abeykoon
ROYAL SCRAPE THROUGH
Defending and three-time champions Royal College scraped through against St. Anthony’s to record a close 22 points to 12 win in another match of the Dialog Schools Rugby tournament played at the Royal Complex ground in Reid Avenue yesterday. Royal, having led 10-5 at the breather, made up their points with a goal and three tries to a goal and a try scored by St. Anthony’s.
The Royalists did not have their own way even though they made the first move off a try by centre Kaveen Sasanga, which was followed by the second try scored by Hasnaka Higgoda, who fluffed both the conversions. The Antonians decreased the lead through an unconverted try scored by winger T. Dissanayake before the short whistle was blown.
The turnaround saw Royal score back-to-back tries, both by winger Navin Perera, with Bimsara Peiris booting over one conversion. In the dying stages, skipper and
No 8 Jeyan Amarasinghe went over for a try for the Antonians, which was converted, but it could not prevent Royal from scraping through to start their campaign on a winning note.