Isipathana humiliate Science 33-5 in final
Isipathana didn’t have much trouble in winning the rugby title (under 20) at the All Island School Games at the Royal Complex. The winners lived upto expectations. However, Science College, whom they beat 33-5 in the final, got on the board first through a try of sheer brilliance by Hashan Madumadhawa. He side stepped not once, but twice, to bamboozle the Pathana defence and fall over.
Thereafter, it was all Pathana as they ran in tries through Harith Bandara (2), Randy Silva (2) and Nadeesh Chaminda (1). The winners were stronger, bigger built and, probably, a tad more experienced than the Science lads.
The latter were unnerved, at times and on one occasion the ball was passed to a Pathana player, unwittingly, a few metres from the line. However, the Science lads were able to bring off a couple of ankle jarring tackles that earned them rousing applause. Isipathana beat Vidura College 53-0 in quarters, and Siri Piyaratana, Padukka 44-5 in the semi-final.
Science College had a stiff hur- dle to clear, in the shape of Royal, in their quarter-final. That was successfully accomplished (14-7). Moratu Vidyalaya were their opponents in the semi-final. They were brushed aside 38-0. The dazzling Hashan Madumadhawa touched down thrice, while Imash Priyadharshana, Sashen Munasingha and Denuwan Lakranda went over once.
Moratu Vidyalaya beat Siri Piyaratana 19-0 in the play-off for third place.
Strangely, the Kandy schools gave the tournament a miss. Trinity’s absence was understandable. But, what ailed St. Anthony’s, Dhamaraja, Kingswood, Vidyartha and St. Sylvester’s? For that matter, even S. Thomas’, St. Peter’s and St. Joseph’s did not participate.
At the same time, the presence of schools such as A.K. Minhaj MV Addalachenai, Eheliyagoda Central, Sir John Kotalawela Kurunegala, Dharmadutha Badulla, Kekirawa Central, Uva MV and Wickremabahu MV Gampola point to the success of the programme to take rugby to the outstations.
Ishanka Abeykoon refereed the play off for third place while Sunil Madugalle officiated at the final. Isipathana: Sudheera Gayanath, Manilka Rubeyru, Harith Bandara, Randy Silva, Chamod Fernando, Nadeesh Chaminda, Sandun Avishka, Diluka Hettiarachchi, Himesh de Silva, Ravindra Anjula, Devin Gunaratne. Science: Hashan Madumadhawa, Imash Priyadarshana, Sashen Munasinghe, Denuwan Lakranda, M.Y.T. Jayasanka, K.P.R. Tathsara, P.A.R. Fernando, R.A. Madusanka, M.N.M. Silva.