COLOMBO: (ePRESS) – Isipathana College, runners-up in the league, fought through tense moments to secure a dramatic 25-20 victory over a determined S. Thomas’ College Mount Lavinia in the semi-final of the Dialog President’s Trophy Knockout Tournament. The match, held at the Royal Sports Complex in Reid Avenue, saw the scores tied at 20-all at full time after Isipathana trailed 7-10 at halftime.
In a nail-biting finish, Isipathana was down 15-20 in the final minute when centre Kavin Tharusha crossed the try line. Unfortunately, Nimantha Sandeepa failed to add the conversion, leaving the scores level at 20-20, sending the match into extra time.
The decisive moment came in the fourth minute of extra time when playmaker Shaahid Zumri scored the winning try off a brilliant backhand pass from Abdulla Faizer. Zumri’s try sealed Isipathana’s place in the final, much to the relief of their supporters, with the final score reading 25-20.
Early lead for Isipathana
Isipathana started strong, with Shaahid Zumri scoring their first try just five minutes into the game. With the conversion, they took an early 7-0 lead. S. Thomas’ responded in the 22nd minute when captain Yehan Bulathsinhalage slotted a penalty, reducing the deficit to 7-3.
S. Thomas’ then took the lead for the first time in the 30th minute when their big No. 8, Myckyle Karuanratne, scored a try from a driving maul. Bulathsinhalage converted to make it 10-7, giving S. Thomas’ a narrow lead at halftime.
Second-half drama
Early in the second half, S. Thomas’ extended their lead when Udan Bulathsinhalage, younger brother of captain Yehan, powered over for a try in the 44th minute. Yehan converted once again, pushing the Thomians ahead 17-10.
Isipathana fought back with a stunning run by Nimantha Sandeepa, who scored in the right corner in the 47th minute. However, the conversion was missed, leaving S. Thomas’ ahead 17-15. Shortly after, Bulathsinhalage added another three points with a penalty, extending the Thomians’ lead to 20-12.
In the 53rd minute, Isipathana’s Sandeepa closed the gap with a penalty, making the score 20-15 before Kavin Tharusha’s last-minute try set the stage for a dramatic extra-time finish.
Referee: Praneeth Veranga.
