Isipathana the Seven`s Champions ready to attack league

Written by Lelum Mahakumara 

One of the most ferocious and passionate contenders of schools Rugby, Isipathana College or the Green machine always adds tremendous flare to the league. Thrashing all the top sides in the recently concluded schools 7s tournament, Isipathana has surely set the tone for things to come.

 

History
The birth of Rugby for Greenlands  was in 1960 playing as an under 17 team under Randy Keller before the name was changed to Isipathana in 1961. Their first under 19 team was formed in 1963 with Brian Ingram as captain and Y.C. Chang as coach as a result they won the first historical match played against St. Anthony’s Kandy  8 to 3 points. Dayalu Perera was the man who kept the very first try for Isipathana. Since then Isipathana made remarkable players to play for their college and the country in the likes of Nalin De Silva, Hisham Abdeen, Selvin Sally, Bandula Mallikarachy, Shamly Nawaz and more lately Rizah Mubarak, Sajith Saranga, Dinusha Chathuranga, Anuranga Walpola and Srinath Sooriyabandara.
Recent Flashback
Moving fourth to the 21st century, the Isipathana Rugby timeline marks specific incidents in the early years in the sport. In the year 2102 Isipathana lads registered themselves as double champions of the year by winning both the League and the Knockout Championships under the brilliant captaincy of Kumendra Dharmadasa. Yet the Green brigade`s run last year was not at all successful. With many controversial decisions playing tricks with them, it was one of the most unimpressive years they have had. With all the stakes at play they are ready to give themselves a chance this year to rise up stronger, greater and higher.
Veteran Nilfer Ibrahim in Coaching Duties
In a complete new version of Isipathanian rugby, they have opted to lay the lads in the hands veteran coach Nilfer Ibrahim. This gentleman needs no introduction to the rugby field having coached teams who excelled in the sport. Ibrahim`s coaching duties commenced with the undertaking of the duties as the coach of Dharmaraja College, Kandy and went on to coach all the leading schools in the sport at the Kandy district. Ibrahim is a product of Kingswood College, Kandy and prior taking the duties as of Isipathana, he has successfully led Trinity College to great heights where they emerged runners-up in both the School`s League and the Knockout tournaments.    He also coached the national sevens team 2013 and the U 20 national side for the Junior Asiad in 2009
Along with Nilfer Sri Lankan Hooker Anuranga Walpola will team up as the assistant coach for the year 2014.
Needless to say Isipathanna rugby is in splendid hands this season which they clearly proved with the head start of the Rugby Seven`s.
Players to Watch out for 
Senal Deelaka ( C )
Coloursman Senal will be playing in his favourite position of Flanker where he is expected be able to lead his team right from the front in the season.  Having represented the team in two consecutive seasons and being appointed as the Captain in the middle of the last year, Senal has tasted the agony of defeat which is the catalyst for focus this time around.
Dhanuka Dassanayake
Vice Captain for this year`s season Dhanuka Dassanyake is one of the senior and experienced players of the green brigade. Coach Ibrahim states that his breaks and his ball skills are immensely useful for the team. As the Vice- Captain  he will play a supporting role in the team helping skipper to lead the troops. As every other key player Dhanuka too holds immense experience and powers up the forward line together with Darling.  
Ashan & Omalka
Ashan Darling is one of the most outstanding players which Isipathana has produced and is expected to police the front row with gusto in his 3rd and final year.  Omalka Gunerathna came under the tutelage of coach Nilfer he when played in the U 18 team for the Asian Youth games. He is one of the best forwards that the green brigade holds in its bag. He is a mentally and a physically strong player and one of the key players to watch out for.
Gunerathna together with the Dassanyake, who is extending his hand as the Prop forward, and the skipper Senal, Isipathana field in a comparatively new outfit in their locks for the upcoming season 2014.
They have conveyed their intentions to bring it on fierce and are putting in the miles with hard practise on all the five days of the week.  Gym trainer Dinesh Kumar accents the need for fitness which is vital in a rugby game.
Conclusion 
Isipathana College will enter into the 2014 season with hopes of reviving lost glory and fame from the reprieve they received. With proper guidance and coaching this year, such a feat is not at all impossible to achieve. Their conquest this year would start from one of the heavy weights in the tourney, Royal College as they would play their first game on the 22nd of March.
The Squad :  
Props
Dhanuka Dissanayake (VC) / Ashan Darling / Kaveesha Wishmantha  / Jeewaka Jeewantha . 
Hooker
Hasitha Mapitigama /Dilan Devinda /Ranush Deyashan / Nisal Deshitha / Udesh Lakshan.
Locks
Akila Perera /Sachin Dulshan /Yasiru Wishmitha /Prabath Bhavantha.
Flankers
Senal Deelaka (C /Omalka Gunerathene / Theekshana Himanuwan.
No. 8
Dhanushka Bandara
Scrum-half
Sudam Pahinda / Chamodh Fernando/ Harsha Maduranga / Sashmitha Lakshan / Gayan Kavinda.
Fly –half
Dilshan Viduranga / Rehan Rumesh / Isuru Umayanga .
Center
Chathura Dilshan / Charana Jayasinghe / Kushan Indunil  / Matheesha Sarathchandra / Kushan Indunil.
Wing three quarters
Asitha Gayeshan / Dilan Gallage / Salinda Costa / Dilip Madushan / Naveen Dilshan / Damith Senal.
Full Back
Sumudu Anuradha / Yoshitha Dilshan.
Quotes
Last year`s season should have been a victorious season for us but we failed due to some mistakes that we made nevertheless emerging as the seven`s champions we are ready to prove that we are back on track for a victorious season on ahead. Boy`s are up for daily practices with a positive mentality which is a good sign for the upcoming season.” stated Senal Deelaka skipper of Isipathana in conversation with ThePapare.com
Nilfer Ibrahim taking on the outfit as coach this season had this to say “ Definietly team like Isipathana will suit my coaching style as a result we want to be the triple champs this year”
We wish the all the very best !!!

Monday 03rd March, 2014 - The Papare.com

Isipathana destroy Trinity to take knock-out championship

"The Birth Day Gift  - Celebrating 62nd Anniversary of Isipathana College - 02 Feb 2014"

Written by Avinash Samaratunga 

 

Isipathana College Colombo and Trinity College Kandy went through a grueling two days of fast rugby to arrive at the finals of the School’s sevens knock-outs. Both teams took the field with a loud roar from the spectators as it was the first real clash of the season and it was looked forward to with relish. 

Speedster Sudam Sooriarachchi was on fire touching down a hat trick of tries for Isipathana College before Trinity College Kandy could find their feet.  Isipathana went on a rampage at Royal Sports Complex to bag under-19 Schools' Rugby Sevens Cup Championship beating the generally tough Trinity outfit by 22 points (one goal, three tries) to nil.
Isipathana were sinbinned earlier on in the match and were reduced to 6 players. However, playing aggressive Rugby Isipathana began to dominate the opposition quickly. Sudam scored the first try under the post for Isipathana but his conversion went astray leaving the Colombo school 5-0 first up. 
Umalka Gunaratne dodged the opposition defense to score the next try for Pathana in the left corner.  The conversion missed the uprights again and at the half time whistle Pathana held sway 10-0.
While Isipathana had displayed masterful control over the game in the first half, it was expected that the strong Kandy side would make a fighting come back.  But the second half caused even more damage to the Kandy lads and they were left hapless to counter the hostile Pathanians.
Soon after Trinity too was reduced to 6 players over a sin bin matter and that compounded problems for them.
Sudam brought up his second try whizzing past the Trinity defense once again to touch down.   Isipathana missed that conversion as well. Trinity continued to fight to penetrate but the Isipathana defense remained a fortress.
Isipathana went on to score their 3rd try when Sudam dodged Trinity yet again to run 40 meters to touch down in the right corner.  At last Isuru Kangahawatte was successful in the conversion and Isipathana closed the game 22-0. 

Previously in the tournament : 
The semi-finals in the Cup segment saw some exciting fare with the top schools competing with each other to get a birth in the final.  Isipathana faced up with St Joseph’s where they beat them 7-0 while Trinity defeated St Peter’s 19-17.
Earlier in the day the Plate championship was worked off between Wesley College and Kingswood College.  Wesley defeated Kingswood 15-12 scoring 3 tries and Kingswood one goal and one try in the final.
In the Bowl championship C.W.W. Kannangara Vidyalaya, sent Prince of Wales into smithereens beating them by 28 points to nil – four converted tries.
Lalith Athulathmudali MV, Mount Lavinia walked away with the Shield scoring 12 points – one goal and one try to the 7 points – one goal of Panadura Royal in the bottom half of the competition.

Tournament  Results in brief :
Cup -  Isipathana beat Trinity 22-0
Plate – Wesley beat Kingswood 15-12
Bowl – C WW Kannangara beat Prince of Wales 28-0
Shield – Lalith Athulathmudali beat Panadura Royal 12- 7

Monday 03rd February, 2014 - The Papare.com

Isipathana clinch President’s Cup beating Trinity 21-16

Double in a row for Pathanians:

 

Isipathana College, Colombo in a thrilling 90 minutes of play defeated Trinity College, Kandy by 21 ( 1goal, 1try and 3penalties ) to 16 ( 2tries and 1 penalty ) in the final of the Milo inter-schools President’s trophy knockout rugby tournament 2012 at Royal Sports Complex yesterday.

With yesterday’s victory Isipathana College remarkably became winners of two trophies this year including the Schools A division League Tournament title which they grabbed few weeks back.

The final was breathtaking from the first minute as both teams desperately seeking for points on the board. Trinity in overall defended well while Isipathana kept on attacking until they grab the trophy after a long time.

Hirantha Perera of Isipathana struck early in the fifth minute with a penalty. Few minutes later Trinitian winger Dharshana Udalagama scored under the post with a magnificent try taking the advantage of a slight mistake by P Ranasinghe of Isipathana to take the lead by 5-3 for Trinity.

In the 10th minute a penalty brought Trinity to eight points with Thisala Karunaratne making no mistake this time. Following a substitution Isipathan's S Chaturange touched down the line and Hirantha made no mistake in adding extra points with the conversion to give Pathanians a two point lead. Isipathana led 10-8

It was Darshan Udalagama of Trinity who crossed over for the second time with an unconverted try and collected five points to regain the lead by half way mark 13-10. In the second half Trinity were attacking dangerously but could not make use of their opponent's missed passes to score. Isipathana re gained the lead with a brilliant try by P Sooriarachchi from far left. Isipathana led 15-13

In the latter stage of the match, the battle became an enthralling one but Hirantha showcased a poor play as he missed back to back two penalties for their enthusiastic fans' dismay. With 8 minutes left Isipathana added another three points with a penalty. In the breathtaking final four minutes Isipathana made no mistake with the seocnd consecutive penalty. Trinity reduced the deficit with a penalty in the next minute but it was Isipathana enjoyed the fire works when the final whistle was blown at 21-16 in favour of Isipathana.

DailyNews - 2012/10/15

Crisp and clean Isipathana through with ease

By David Stephens
 
Despite muddy conditions underfoot, Isipathana executed a game plan filled with crisp passes and blazing runs, to walk away 26-18 winners, against St. Joseph’s College, at the Royal Sports Complex yesterday.
The score line does not ful
ly reflect the dominance of Isipathana, who had a stranglehold on the match through all of the first and much of the second half. Their tries came from Winger Uditha Tharanath, No.8 Arun Kumar, Scrum Half A. Costa and Full Back Sithum Chathusanka, while the Joes were buoyed by the efforts of No.8 Jason Melder and three-quarter Stephan Gregory.

 

Isipathana No 8 Arun Kumara  

 heavy weight, but is over the tryline to 

 post the second for his school.

 (Pic Ranjith Perera)

Isipathana struck early through Tharanath, with only 10 minutes on the clock, a darting run through an already disorganized Josephian defence, which was constantly flat-footed during the early exchanges. The ensuing conversion attempt however, was wide of the mark.
The Joes promised a good fight when Rehan Thiyagarajah belted over a penalty five minutes later, but Isipathana quickly vanquished any thought of that a few minutes later.


From a lineout Isipathana worked the ball to the right of the field before, Kumar, who was a constant worry for the Joes’ defence, burst through the back line for a try, which was converted by Costa.
At 12-3, St. Joseph’s was beginning to feel the pressure and was guilty of an number of unforced errors. Not so for Isipathana, which was exhibiting impeccable handling skills even though the ball was coated in a thin layer of mud. They quickly exploited the gaps in the Josephian defence to record another try through Costa in the 38th minute.
Isipathana nearly extended the lead at the brink of halftime, but Kumar dropped the ball right before crossing the line. Coming out for the second half, St. Joseph’s was a lot more sensible with its defence and thwarted numerous scoring opportunities of the opponents. By managing to frustrate Isipathana, the Joes began to grow in confidence and used their superior size to score in the 60th minute, Jason Melder powerfully thrusting himself over the line.
However, Chathusanka quickly darted over the line a little while later to restore order and promptly seal the result. Nevertheless, both Gregory and Melder hit back with tries of their own to highlight the fact that although Isipathana was the far superior team, they sometimes are too eager to take their foot off the pedal.

Referee D.Nimal 

Sunday 29th April, 2012 - The Sunday Times 

Isipathana looking for the crown

Thushan JAYASURIYA 

Isipathana College, which has been in the forefront of schools rugby for over three decades are packed with talented players and will be striving to clinch the Singer League Rugby championship this year.

Kumendra Dharmadasa (Captain)

Shenal Dias (Vice Captain)

Though they were beaten by Royal College (10-11) last year, they were able to emerge runners-up of the league by winning the other matches.
This year the side will be led by Kumendra Dharmadasa, an experienced player of the team.
The squad comprises of four coloursmen and eight senior players.
Ganuka Dissanayake will play as the prop forward of the team while Ashan Darling, Ushan Charuka and Sudheera Karunaratne will fight for other prop forward’ s berths. Manaka Siriwardena will battle it out for the hooker’s position.
The impressive Ganidu Lakshan is assured of one lock forward's position.
The players who are trying to gain a place as lock forwards are Malith Ranga and Heshan Maldeniya.
Skipper Kumendra Dharmadasa will play in his pet position of flanker.
The others who could fit in as flankers are Senal Deelaka and Hastha Udyoga.
Seasoned player Arun Kumar will play as the Number eight. He has made a great contribution to the team on past matches.
The experienced Kavindu Costa, is the first choice for the scrum half berth.
The other player who is eyeing this position is Sudam Parinda.
The regular fly half will be Hirantha Perera with Dilshan Viduranga making a strong bid to oust him.

Isipathana College rugby pool. Pictures by Wasitha Patabendige

The quartet who are fighting for the centre berths are Shyamal Chathuranga, Pabasara Madhawa, Ashan Kovinda and Kushan Indunil.

Shenal Dias will once again play as a winger. The duo who are battling for the other position are Isanga Panchama and Uditha Tharanatha.

The experienced Sithum Chathusanka will once again occupy the last line of defence.
Last year the Pathanas beat Dharmaraja Kandy (37-15), St.Peter’s (42-29), Trinity (23-18), Science (23-17), S.Thomas’ (77-06) and Kingswood (10-05). They became the runners-up of the last season after beatene by Royal ( 11-10) by a single point. The coach of the team, Shamly Nawaz says that their prime intention is to win all the remaining matches for this season and win the league title this time.

Despite suffering the setback of being held to 19 all draw by Vidyartha. He also mentioned that he hopes to build up the side with new young players.
Their remaining fixtures are April 28 against St.Joseph’s at Air Force Grounds Ratmalana, May 12 against Kingswood at CR and FC, May 18 against Trinity at CR and FC, May 25 against D.S.S.C., June 01 against Science College at CR and FC, June 08 against St.Anthony’s Kandy at CR and FC, June 16 against St.Peter’s at CR and FC, June 22 against Royal at CR and FC, June 30 against Thurstan at CR and FC . The players are getting the maximum support from the Principal A.C.Perera and The Prefect Of Games cum Master In Charge Gamini Sarathchandra.

The Isipathana Under 19 Rugby Squad
Captain: Kumendra Dharmadasa
Vice Captain : Shenal Dias
Prop Forwards : Sudheera Karunaratne, Danuka Dissanayake, Ashan Darling, Ushan Charuka.
Hookers : Manaka Siriwardena
Lock Forwards : Ganidu Lakshan, Malith Ranga, Heshan Maldeniya.
Flankers : Kumendra Dharmadasa, Senal Deelaka, Hastha Udyoga
No 8 : Arun Kumar
Scrum Half : Kavindu Costa, Sudam Parinda
Fly Half : Hirantha Costa, Dilshan Viduranga
Centres : Shamal Chathuranga, Pabasara Madhawa, Ashan Kovinda, Kushan Indunil
Wingers: Shenal Dias, Isanga Panchama, Uditha Tharanatha.
Full Back : Sithum Chathuranga.
Coach : Shamley Nawaz
Assistant Coach : Bandula Mallikaarachchi
Physical Trainer : H.Karunaratne

Saturday 28th, April 2012  - Daily News

Isipathana aspiring to go one step further

By Chathura Pinnawala

Isipathana’s performance last season was an attention-drawer in many ways. Their style was reminiscent of the glory days and that has been perpetual in the preceding seasons too, but what parted company with the past few years was the consistency. It’s clear from the fact that if not for a narrow reversal against the eventual champions, Royal, they could be readying their guns for a title defence.

The Prasad Devinda led side reached the Knock-out final, before being knackered by Trinity and if they can continue that rich vein of consistency, this could well be the year that they put to bed the anomaly of a lack of the League Championship for 10 years which is not worthy of Isipathana’s fleet-footed reputation.

Isipathana rugby started in 1962 and the first captain was Bryan Ingram. Randy Keller was influential in introducing rugby to the school and under the management of Y. C. Chang they beat St. Anthony’s 8-3 in the first ever match. Ever since, their dominance is an all told story and through the years, they have produced 56 national players and four captains. True to form, Isipathana have had access to 13 league titles, eight knock-out titles and 11 triple crowns. In the condensed version, the sevens, they are 19 time champions and stamped their authority in International Singer Sevens, winning it four times.

Their achievement summit was in 1992, when the sweeping of six trophies out of seven on offer was fulfilled under Champika Nishantha. Underachieving is certainly not something that be attributed to Isipathana rugby.

The team is skippered by third year coloursman and flanker Kumendra Dharmadasa and their forward line will consist of Ushan Charuka and Ganuka Dissanayake (props), Manaka Siriwardena (hooker), Malith Gomes and Ganindu Dissanayake (second-row) and Senal Deelaka. Traditionally, the forwards aren’t the stronghold of ‘Pathana’ and their pack is lightweight, compared to the others, but in the first match against Vidyartha, they were able to hold their end tight and coach Shamly Nawaz believes they’ll get better as the season progresses.

"Our forwards were solid against Vidyartha. Last year too we had a strong forward line. I think they’ll get better as the season goes on, because we got much needed experience there."

Nawaz was outspoken about the target of the year too. "We always brace for a season with the sole intention of winning the title and this year is no different. There’ll be up and downs like the Vidyartha game, but that doesn’t alter our plans."

The No 8 jersey is worn by Arun Kumar and Kavindu Costa is the scrum half and they have huge boots to fill in Sajid Suhaib, who was gallant in the positions last year. Hirantha Perera will walk into the fly half role vacated by previous captain Devinda and Shenal Dias and Pabasara Madhawa in the wings will have the gruesome task of living up to the expectations those jerseys carry with it in Pathana rugby. Shamal Chathuranga and Uditha Premathilake are the two centers while Sithum Chathusanka at fullback completes the line-up.

Who are the players to look out for? "Shamal Chathuranga is one player we have high hopes about. He was unlucky to miss out on the junior national squad last year due to an injury he sustained. Flanker Senal Deelaka is another exciting prospect and we have earmarked him as a player who can lead the side in the future. Apart from that, captain Dharmadasa, No 8 Kumar, fullback Chathusanka are some who are bound to show their colours."

Is the 10 year procrastination about to end?

Isipathana College Squad:

Kumendra Dharmadasa (Captain), Shenal Dias (Vice Captain), Ushan Charuka, Manaka Siriwardena, Ganuka Dissanayake, Malith Gomes, Ganindu Weerasinghe, Senal Deelaka, Arun Kumar, Kavindu Costa, Hirantha Perera, Shamal Chathuranga, Pabasara Madhawa, Sithum Chathusanka and Uditha Premathilake.

Reserves: Hasitha Udyoga, Heshan Maldeniya, Ruchira Dilshan, Ashan Darling, Sudeera Karunaratne, Ashan Kovinda, Dilshan Viduranga, Isanga Panchama, Sudam Parinda and Kushan Indunil.

Monday 24th April, 2012 - The Island

Vidyartha earn face-saving 19 all draw against Isipathana

Isipathana College looked just about set to ease the mounting pressure on them pull off a thriller when Vidyartha College, Kandy scored a last gasp penalty and earned a face-saving 19 all draw in their Singer Division 1 Group A rugby match at Royal Sports Complex in Colombo last evening.

The Green Shirts ran like gazelles in the loose and threatened time again to punch holes in the Kandy team’s defence. But running down as many as three tries looked insufficient in the face of a severe onslaught by Vidyartha, who counterattacked quite well. The visiting team from Kandy collected their points through a try, a drop goal, a conversion and three penalties. The only drawback in the Vidyartha players was that they were quite often undecided or slow in thinking when in possession of the ball.

Vidyartha had a rousing start to the game taking a 10-0 lead 30 minutes into the game through a penalty, a conversion and a try by A.G.R Amarasiri, who beat fumbling Isipathana full back Sithum Chathusanka to the try line.

Isipathana’s response came very late in the second-half when they produced two tries through number eight Arun Kumar and full back Chathusanka who beat the defence with a burst of speed. With M.K Costa booting through the conversions Isipathana went into half-time leading 14-10.

Vidyartha closed in on the host’s score, right after the resumption when A.J Bandara dropped a goal.

There was even contest for possession between the two teams for the next 20 minutes, but what made an appreciative Sunday crowd sit up and take note was when Isipathana was reduced to 14 men as a result of a yellow card. Referee Arshad Carder became the cynosure of all eyes when he yellow carded two members of the Vidyartha ‘bench’ for unwarranted entry into the ground.

A moment later Vidyartha seemed to have scored, but the referee blew the Isipathana back division for not observing the 10 metre rule in a set piece which benefitted the Kandy team who were later informed that the try was disallowed because there was a forward pass after the infringement. Vidyartha’s C.J Fernando made no mistake with the penalty kick to put his team 16-14 in the lead.

Vidyartha experienced jitters minutes later when Isipathan were presented with a penalty, but Costa fluffed a crucial penalty in front of the posts.

Isipathana fired all cylinders five minutes before the end and took the lead when hard working third row forward Kumar crashed in for his second try of the game. Fly half J.K.H Perera had trouble adding the extra points.

Vidyartha tried real hard towards the end and succeeded when they earned the match-winning penalty which was turned into points by Fernando.

(RN)

Monday 23rd April, 2012 - The Island