Isipathana clinch Zahira Invitation Rugby Sevens
By Jatila KARAWITA
RUGBY:Isipathana College, Colombo proved that they are masters of
schools Sevens rugby as they saw off the challenge of Royal College,
Colombo, by 26-15, in the Cup Final of the Zahira College, Group of 60
Invitation Under-20, Inter-Schools Sevens tournament, concluded at
Longden Place yesterday.
Isipathana who led 12-0, at half-time collected their points through
three converted tries, and a try, to which Royal replied with two tries
in a keenly contested game.
The green shirts famed for their superior outside backs spread the
ball out wide at every given opportunity and their clinical off-loading
in the tackle saw them keeping Royal at bay. Royal failed to put in
first time tackles effectively as Isipathana players found gaping holes
in the opposition defence.
For the lads from Havelock Town, Srinath Sooriyabandara and the
fastest wing-three quarter in schools rugby Wishwamithra Jayasinghe,
Dinusha Chathuranga and Prasad Devinda all had a touch down each with
the latter adding the extra points to the tries.
For Royal, 15-a-side playmaker Bilal Hassen, and Mushin Faleel scored
a try apiece, but they struggled to contain the rampant powerplay of
Isipathana College. The win yesterday was the icing on the cake for
Isipathana as they had already clinched the Western Province Under-20
and All-Island Sevens tournaments.
In an upset of the Cup championships, semi finals Royal College edged
out fancied St. Peter’s College (21-15), while the green shirts crushed
Ananda College (36-5) in the other semi final.
St. John’s College, Nugegoda who beat Lumbini MV (14-5) won the
Shield Final, while C.W.W. Kanangara MV created the tournament’s biggest
upset when they beat Wesley College, (17-7) to win the Bowl Final.
St. Joseph’s College won the Plate Final, easily with a (29-0)
victory over Nalanda College.
The tournament was organised to celebrate 85 years of rugby at Zahira
College, Maradana with the participation of 14 schools from Colombo and
the suburbs.
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