Isipathana down Science 18-9 after a scare 

By a Special Sports Correspondent 

Isipathana College went through some anxious moments in its Division 2 Segment A inter-school league rugby tournament fixture against Science College before pulling off a close 18 points to 9 win at Havelock Park yesterday. Science College never looked like being pushovers and if the lads from Mount Lavinia put a bit more commitment into their forwards’ moves the score line would have been closer.

The game was hotly contested in the first half and also half way through to the second half before Isipathana College pulled away in the final ten minutes of the game to stretch their lead through the team’s third try. All in all the ‘Green’ shirts produced three unconverted tries and a penalty against the nine points scored by Science; all of them coming off penalties.

Isipathana attacked from the start and cracked the Science defence early in the first half with a try by full back Malith Mihisara. Science were soon breathing right behind their backs and playing with a purpose to close the gap in points to two points with two well taken penalties by Kavisha.

But hooker Venura Sangeeth was in fighting form and produced Isipathana’s second try just before half time to make the score 13-6 in favour of the lads from Havelock Town. Science had its moments in the second half, but like the game on Thursday, there were fitness issues for the side; probably because it was the first game for the season. Most rugby players are playing competitive rugby after a break of two and half years.

Science produced some thunder after the turn around with M.O. D Perera’s boots finding the target during a penalty kick. But Isipathana produced the deciding try of the game through a forwards rush to finish as winners in the end. Isipathana’s solitary penalty which came in the first half was slotted in by Mihisra.

Meanwhile at Royal Sports Complex hosts Royal beat St. Anthony’s College 22-12 after leading 10-5 at half time. Today (Saturday) Trinity College host S. Thomas’ College at Pallekele while St. Peter’s College host Dharmaraja at Bambalapitiya. Wesley host Vidyartha at Longden Place.