Isipathana regains winning ways

Despite a valiant effort by St. Joseph’s, who displayed an improved game compared to their earlier games, Isipathana carried forward their winning momentum from last week’s win over Kingwood to record a convincing 22-3 victory in a President’s Schools Rugby League Division 1 Segment ‘A’ match played at Havelock Park yesterday. Isipathana who led 12-3 at half-time collected their points through 4 tries, of which only one was converted, to St. Joseph’s solitary penalty.

Isipathana who missed an easy penalty at the early stage of the game came back strongly after spending a considerable time in the Josephian 22 metre area when centre Ashan Gallage successfully went through to score a spectacular try which was converted by Malik Jumad to lead 7-nil. Fly half Prasad Devinda followed the similar steps to score another try which brought Isipathana a lead of 12-nil almost into half-time. St. Joseph’s retaliated to breach the Isipathana territory and their effort was rewarded with a penalty which was converted by winger Mayura Sanjeewa to trail 3-12 at half-time.

The Josephians showed a much improved approach in the second half and almost touched down on a few occasions but lacked the finishing touches. Adding further to their problems was the lack of backing from the three-quarters who failed to show up at the needed times. Though St. Joseph’s were successful in holding up Isipathana from going over for a bigger total they could not prevent the Isipathana scrum half from crossing over twice in the second half. Mohamed Mustaq refereed. (MNA)

The Nation