Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)

Isipathana down Science to maintain unbeaten record

- BY M. SHAMIL AMIT

Isipathana maintained their unbeaten record and ended as the top team in their group with a 29 points to 23 win over Science in the U20 Singer inter-school rugby league encounter played at Havelock Place yesterday.

Isipathana took a commanding 21-8 lead at lemons and made up their points through three goals a try and a penalty against a goal, two tries and two penalties scored by Science.

Isipathana were in control in the first half but they were given some anxious moments in the second half by the gritty Science side who made their opponents to fight hard for their win.

Isipathana drew first blood after a tough early session as they took the lead in the 15th minute through a try by winger Chamod Fernando and full back Gayan Wickramara­tne adding the extra points. From here on Isipathana

Isipathana drew first blood after a tough early session as they took the lead in the 15th minute through a try by winger Chamod Fernando and full back Gayan Wickramara­tne adding the extra points

kept up the momentum and gave their opponents some torrid time before increasing the lead in the 23rd minute with number eight Wageesha Weerasingh­e going over for a try and Gayan making no mistake with the conversion.

They continued to torment the Science defence and with their rugged display and fast open rugby they succeeded to further increase the lead in the 31st minute off a try scored by scrum half Harith Udara and with Gayan adding the extra points they had a healthy lead of 21 points to nil.

Three minutes later Science put up their first score on the board with full back Vibudu Sahan booting over a penalty which followed by winger Tharindu Maduranga going over for an unconverte­d try almost before the short whistle was blown.

With the game just two minutes old in the second session saw Science winger Tharindu Maduranga intercepti­ng an Isipathana pass and sprinting over 40 meters to score under the post which gave Vibudu Sahan an easy kick at goal.

Isipathana undeterred continued their rugged display and managed to increase the lead with winger Chamod Fernando going over for his second try of the match which went unconverte­d.

The two sides shared honours which saw Science full back Vibudu booting over an easy penalty that was offered with the score at that stage reading 26-13 in Isipathana’s favour.

With the game hotting up and with just under ten minutes of play left the Science forwards gave the Pathanas defence some anxious moments. They decreased the Pathana lead by five points with number eight Janith Silva barging his way for a right corer flag try.

Isipathana was only having a lead of just three points (26-23) an infringeme­nt saw the Pathanas being awarded a penalty two minutes away from the long whistle which Gayan booted over with ease and they held on to record their fifth successive win to inflict the first defeat of Science to maintain their unbeaten record. REFEREE – ROHAN FERNANDO.

 ??  ?? Action in the match between Isipathana and Science played at Havelock Park yesterday which was won by Isipathana by 29 points to 23.-PICTURE BY PRADEEP DILRUKSHAN­A
Action in the match between Isipathana and Science played at Havelock Park yesterday which was won by Isipathana by 29 points to 23.-PICTURE BY PRADEEP DILRUKSHAN­A

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