Title holders Isipathana College eased their way into the final of the Dialog Schools Knockout President’s Trophy final, after their comfortable and moral boosting 39-10 win against minnows Zahira College in the first semi-final played at Havelock Park yesterday.
The Green Machine had a shaky start, and edged Zahira 13-10 at halftime, but regained their usual momentum to complete the game with a tally of six tries, three conversions and a penalty. Zahira, on the other hand, could have turned the efforts into points had they put more exposure playing against a seasoned top tier side, but managed to score from a solitary converted try and a penalty.
Coming after a week’s break, Isipathana surely came out to book their berth in the final, against the winning team of today’s clash against traditional rivals St. Peter’s College and St. Joseph’s College, but their initial approach was somewhat wobbly.
Playing in their virtual home ground, in front of a good crowd attendance, they were unexpectedly given an undue pressure by Zahira, who had nothing to lose. Playing in a President’s Trophy semi-final after many moons, they continuously pressured their opponents forcing them to commit errors.
Blocking a clearance kick, Zahira three-quarters made inroads into the Isipathana 22 and despite being countered, they used their forwards which resulted in prop Mohamed Rifad landing for a try in the fourth minute. With Ahamed Saad’s conversion Zahira gained an early lead of 7-0.
Zahira were forceful during the next phase, which enforced Isipathana to make a different approach to their usual playing style. Instead of playing their usual open and running game, Isipathana utilised their forwards to gain territory. They eventually broke the shackles in the 15th minute with a cohesive effort, which resulted in winger Hashen Randimal bracing a try far left, which went unconverted.
Still trailing by two points 5-7, Isipathana were left stranded for more than 10 minutes, until they forced Zahira to concede a penalty. Winger Rinesh Silva, who missed the conversion, was on target this time to put his team in the lead 8-7.
Randimal followed up his brilliance with another try in the 27th minute, which was almost similar to his first, as Isipathana extended the lead to 13-7 after Silva failed with the conversion. On the brink of halftime Zahira closed in the gap after Saad put over a penalty, as Isipathana lead by 13-10.
Soon after the resumption Zahira had an easy opportunity to equalise, but Saad missed an easy kick. Despite failing to add points to their tally, Zahira applied pressure on Isipathana until they were made to fight eventually.
After gradually transferring the pressure on to their opponents, Isipathana made a canny move to hand Chamindu Chirath, the macho centre to breach the Zahira defend for an easy try in the 49th minute. No.8 Nisala Jayaweera, who played an effective role in Isipathana’s win, made a gallant breakthrough in the 58th minute to brace a beautiful try, and with the conversion from skipper and flyhalf Naveen Kanishka, Isipathana further expanded the lead to 25-10.
After a good start, Zahira players were worn out and this resulted in Isipathana making more inroads to their usual playing style. Coming in from their own 22, Isipathana worked their way forward to hand the ball to flanker Iroshan Gamage, who covered almost half of the field to cross the line. With Kanishka’s conversion the lead extended to 32-10.
With Zahira almost losing their impressive clout Isipathana made replacements to their starting lineup. Avishka Hiran, who replaced his skipper to man the flyhalf position, had his moment of the game during his brief entry, as he tricked the defenders to score under the post and convert the try by himself on the brink of the final whistle.
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