Dialog School Rugby League: Isipathana outclass St. Anthony’s 43-14

By M. Shamil Amit

Isipathana began their Dialog Schools Rugby League tournament on a winning note with a comfortable 43 points to 14 win over St. Anthony’s Katugastota in the match played at Havelock Park yesterday.

Isipathana, having led 19-7 at the breather, made up their points from four goals and three tries to the two goals scored by St. Anthony’s.

Isipathana came into the game as hot favorites, but it was St. Anthony’s who opened the scoring in the third minute, with Dinuja Jayasundara going over and Daham Perera making the conversion.

Five minutes later, Isipathana drew level through a try scored by Tharuka Jayaweera, with Nimantha Sandeepa making no mistake with the conversion.

From there on, the two sides shared honours, and in the 18th minute Isipathana surged ahead with an unconverted try scored by Kaveen Jayasinghe.

There were missed opportunities from both sides, and it took another 11 minutes for the next score, which came through Isipathana, with Nimantha Sandeepa going over for a try under the posts, giving Sahaan Anzar an easy kick at goal.

With Isipathana leading 19-7, no further scoring was made as the score stood at the breather.

On resumption, it was similar to the first half, but this time Isipathana struck first in the third minute through an unconverted try by Nevitha Mewnaka. Five minutes later, St. Anthony’s reduced the deficit with Dinuja Jayasundara going over for his second try of the match, while Daham Perera added the extra points.

Isipathana increased their lead with an unconverted try in the 18th minute and then sealed the game with back-to-back tries within the space of three minutes, first by Shewan Yanush and in the closing stages of the match by Sanija Jayaweera. Nimantha Sandeepa booted over both conversions as the Isipathanians ran out comfortable winners.

Referee: Raveen Alexander

Royal prevail over Science 43-10

Royal too got off to a winning start when they prevailed over Science College Mt. Lavinia by 43 points to 10 in the match played at the Royal Sports Complex.

Royal led 14-10 at the breather and accumulated their points through four goals and three tries, while Science scored a goal and a penalty.