Isipathana claim double crown

Harsha Samaranayake, Senior General Manager – Brand and Media, Group Marketing handing over the Dialog Schools Rugby Championship trophy to Isipathana skipper, Dahan Nithina Wickremarachchi and Praveen Stephan, Vice-Captain, Isipathana College. Also, in photograph (L-R) Fr. Ranjith Andradi, Rector – St. Joseph’s College, Nirodha Wijerama – Secretary, Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association, Upali Amaratunga, Deputy Director – Sports, Ministry of Education, B A Abeyratne – President, Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association, Oshara Panditharathna, Principal, Isipathana College and Damitha Perera – Treasurer, Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association

By Amindha de Alwis 

Isipathana College were crowned champions of the Dialog Schools Rugby Knockout tournament with a commanding 49-22 victory over St. Joseph’s College at Reid Avenue yesterday. 

Isipathana College’s eleventh knockout title capped off a memorable season in which the team were unbeaten champs in both league and knockout tournaments.

Isipathana put on a dominant display to place the finishing touches on their golden season and were only threatened for a short period of time when St. Joseph’s made a brief fight back at the start of the second half. 
Isipathana got on the board in the eighth minute courtesy a penalty kick from Malith Mihisara, but it was Kenula Mihisara going over the line, with the first of Isipathana’s seven tries, that really opened the floodgates. 
Further tries from Naveen Kanishka and Venura Kodagoda drove home the early advantage to leave Isipathana 27-0 ahead at half-time.

The Josephine came out fighting after the break with three quick tries, two from a charging Naveen Marasinghe and one from Sachintha Vidyana. 

It was not to be however, as Praveen Stephan, assisted by some slick work from  Soorya Dodangoda ensured Isipathana remained ahead. 

From there on it was a one-way show as Isipathana, stormed their way ahead to a 49-22 finish and their second silverware of the season.