Isipathana have proved that they are now the top favourite to win the 2022 inter school League rugby title after they beat a fighting St. Joseph’s College 16-13 in one of the most gruelling and heated encounters this season at Havelock Park last Sunday.
Isipathana who are yet to lose a match will now meet Royal College in the decider on Sunday (today) at Havelock Park.
The fact that Isipathana underwent probably their hardest test against the Joes last week only suggests that they have taken their game to a higher level that Royal will have to contend with.
Each time Isipathana got the ball into their hands they posed a threat and it took some resolute tackling by the Joes to keep them at bay.
Although they lost the Joes bowed out of the contest with their heads held high and if they had an effective place kicker like Isipathana had, the scoreline could have been different.
What will come under scrutiny in the match will be how Royal will be able to move forward with their rolling maul against Isipathana who have been one team able to counter the ploy.
For the winning Isipathana outfit the try was scored by second row forward Hettiarachchi with Boteju slotted in the conversion while the three penalties were put over by Ranesh Silva.
St. Joseph’s their burly number eight Naveen Marasinghe powered his way to touch down for their solitary try with Ruchitha Rodrigo puttiung over the only conversion and two penalties.
Unlike Isipathana, Royal in their last outing scored three tries through hooker Danuja Somaratne against Wesley to win 21-16 at Longden Place courtesy their rolling maul.