Isipathana and Science make contrasting passages into final

Isipathana College beat Trinity College, Kandy by 37 points to 28 in their Milo Trophy Schools Knockout first semi final worked off at the Royal College Sports Complex in Reid Avenue last week. The winners led 27-14 at half time.

In the seventh minute of play Isipathana surged into a 3-nil lead through a 30-metre penalty put over by fly half Isuru Kongahawatte.

In the 10th minute Trinity got in to the lead when their centre Ryan Weerakoon scored an unconverted try to make the score 5-3 in favour of Trinity.

In the 13th minute Isipathana went into the lead when their centre Kushan Indunil went over for a fabulous try. The conversion was missed by fly half Kongahawatte. Isipathana 8 to Trinity 5.

Six minutes later Trinity equalled scoring when their full back Sanushka Abeywickrama put over a simple 25-metre penalty making the scores 8-8.

In the 22nd minute Trinity increased their lead when their full back Sanushka Abeywickrama put over a 30 metre penalty as the scores read 11-8 in favour of Trinity.

Isipathana fought back and scored in the 25th minute of play when their winger Asitha Punchihewa went over for a superb try and the conversion was missed by Kongahawatte. The score stood at 13-8 in favour of Isipathana.

Isipathana took control of the game through their speedy three-quarter line to score two back to back tries through their winger Dillan Gallage and centre Kushan Indunil in the 29th and 32nd minutes of play. Kongahawatte converted both tries to increase the scoreline to read Isipathana 27 Trinity 11.

Just before half time in the 41st minute of play Trinity full back Sanushka Abeywickrama put over a 20 metre penalty to reduce the gap 27-14.

Trinity fought back and scored a try in the 52nd minute through their captain and Number Eight Isuru Rangala, which was converted by full back Abeywickrama.

In the 57th minute of play Isipathana scored a try through their hard working second row forward Chathura Dilshan that was converted by Kongahawatte to increase the lead to 34-21.

Isipathana sealed the semi final in the 73rd minute of play when fly half Kongahawatte put over a 30 metre penalty to make it 37-21 in favour of his team.

In the last few minutes of play Trinity came back daringly into Isiathana's half and in stoppage time, their full back Sanushka Abeywickrama touched down for a consolation try as he added the extra points to make it 37-28 at the final whistle of the referee Irshad Carder.

In the other semi final Science College scored a rousing 52 points to 26 win over a makeshift Royal College at Havelock Park after leading 38 points to 5 at half time.

Royal who played this game without seven of their regular players due to injuries and A/L exam were a dejected lot.

Science opened scoring in the second minute of play through their captain and number eight Lasindu Karunathilaka. Centre Tharindu Maduranga converted to give Science a 7-0 lead. Scrum half Hashan Madumadawa scored the second try through a three quarter move for Science College where centre Tharindu Maduranga Kandamby fluffed the conversion.

Royal scored a try through their young hooker Ashmeer Fajudeen for full back Ovin Askey to miss the conversion.

Science scored four consecutive tries through flanker U.Madusanka, full back Supun Dilshan, winger Thanuj Maduranga and prop J. Silva. Centre Tharindu Kandamby made three conversions to go into the half time with a 38 points to 5 lead.

In the second half Royal stormed into the game with a different attitude and scored a penalty try and two more tries through their fly half Gayal Jayasinghe and flanker Keshan Peiris. Full back Ovin Askey converted all three tries to close the gap.

In this half Science College scored two more tries through their winger Thanuj Maduranga and full back Supun Dilshan. Both these tries were converted by centre Tharindu Maduranga to give Science a 52-26 win at the final whistle of referee Priyantha Gunarathna.