A last minute penalty conversion by Manilka Ruberu gave Isipathana College the much needed points to draw their schools rugby encounter against S. Thomas’ College 12-12 at Mount Lavinia yesterday.
Ruberu put over four penalties in the process while the Thomians obtained their points through two tries and a conversion in a game which the home team should have won.
Isipathana too had their chances but poor handling at crucial moments led to their downfall.
The Thomians scored first in the tenth minute when a series of moves saw prop forward Shenuka Perera go over. Basula Weerasinghe put over the conversion to take full points.
Isipathana tried to use their back division but to no avail and also made the mistake of kicking possession away.
Ruberu put over a penalty in the 31st minute for an off-side.
The Thomians led 7-3 at half time.
Ruberu got another chance with a penalty and kicked right from 20 metres out to reduce the deficit to one point.
Isipathana got ahead with another penalty through Ruberu in the 52nd minute to make it 9-7.
The Thomians went on the offensive and in the 63rd minute a breakdown in a move saw them win the ball and scrum half Sakith Perera cleverly went on the blind side with the Isipathana defence caught off guard. With that try the Thomians went ahead to 12-9.
With the game nearing the end Isipathana were awarded another penalty from nearly 45 metres out and Ruberu used the wind to carry the ball over the cross bar to find the equalizer.
Rohan Fernando refereed.