Pathana downs Peterites

Thushan Jayasuriya

Isipathana College, Colombo edged out St.Peter’s College, Colombo by 21 points (one goal, one try and three penalties) to 19 (one goal, four penalties) in the singer under 20 segment one ‘A’ division after a closely contested match at Sugathadasa Stadium yesterday.

The Isipathanians had come into the game well prepared as they ran circles around the Peterites defence that looked uncomfortable during most part of the game.

Both teams collected points through penalties in the first half. St.Peter’s College Bambalapitiya opened their account with a 20 metre penalty by Jerome Canute. The Greenlands Avenue school opened scoring in the 28th minute with through a 22 metre penalty by Hirantha Perera to make it three all.

Four minutes later, Isipathana fly half Hirantha Perera scored his second penalty (6-3). But the lads from Bambalapitiya reduced the deficit when Jerome Canute fired across a 25 metre penalty (6 - all). In the 39th minute Isipathana increased their lead through another penalty booted by Perera and the scores read 9 - 6 at lemons.

The resumption saw the Peterites making the first scoring in the third minute with a try scored by Perera where he added extra points himself (16-6). Canute scored two tries in the sixth and 10th minutes respectively to make it 12-16 for St.Peter’s.

The lads from Havelock Town hit back once again to increase their lead through a try by Hasitha Herath where Perera missed the conversion (21-12). The Peterites who were in a do or die situation scored a consolation try through Nishon Perera while Canute made no mistake with the conversion (19-21) before referee Irshad Cader blew the long whistle.

Hirantha Perera played a major role in Isipathana’s success who scored 16 points, helping them to ran out worthy winners.