Isipathana defy Science to win Cup title

Isipathana College defied Science College to record a thumping 22-5 win and claim the Milo All-Island Schools Under- 16 15s Rugby Championship 2017 in the final played at the Racecourse ground last week.

From the word go, Isipathana played attacking Rugby to completely thwart the Science team, who also had a good runup to the final with some good wins. Knowing what could come their way, Isipathana gave very little room to Science, who was eventually outdone by the Cup winners. Isipathana led the halftime by 17- 5 and scored from four tries and a conversion while conceding the points through an unconverted try.

In the Cup semi- finals Isipathana recorded a morale boosting 37- 7 win against Dharmaraja College after scoring off six tries, three conversions and a penalty while Science too had a similar victory against Kingswood College, by 22- 5 with a tally of three tries, two conversions and a penalty.

Prior to the Cup final, D. S. Senanayake College overwhelmed with a runaway win of 24-0 against Lumbini College to clinch the Plate championship. D.S. Senanayake accumulated their points through three converted tries and a penalty.

Wesley College had to huff and puff before overcoming Thurstan College by 14-10 after a close battle, to clinch the Bowl championship of the tournament. The battle was intense from the first whistle and Wesley never had things coming their way as Thurstan put up a gallant show with intentions of winning the fight. Wesley scored from two converted tries against a converted try and a penalty scored by Thurstan.

In the Shield final, Maliyadeva College Kurunegala had a cakewalk against Piliyandala Central. Maliyadeva took the control of the final from the first whistle and went on to score from six tries, two conversions and a penalty while allowing Piliyandala Central to breach their territory for once, when a converted try was made.

The day had five finals and the first to kick off the deciders was the battle between Zahira College and Lalith A t h u l at h m u d a l i M a h a Vidyalaya for the Saucer title. Zahira proved that they are hard customers by recording a thumping win of 37-7 to clinch the title, after scoring off five tries, three conversions and two penalties.

Cup Champions - Isipathana College - Pix by Amila Gamage