Isipathana reigns supreme at Zahira 7s Friendship Rugby
View(s):Isipathana College, the tree-time winners went on to grab their fourth Zahira 7s Friendship Rugby Challenge Trophy, beating gritty Prince of
Omalka Gunaratne, the skipper of the Isipathana College receiving the Zahira 7s Friendship Trophy and a cash award of Rs. 50,000 from the chief guest Mutiah Muralitharan
Wales’ College by 24-19 in an unexpected nerve-tingling Cup final played at Maradana last Sunday.
Last season’s schools triple crown champions, Isipathana was given a stiff challenge by the Cambrians who took the Cup final to the last wire by ending it at 19-all and forcing for extra time. Eventually the Green Shirts, with their vast experience at top level gained broke the deadlock with a crucial try from Rehan Silva, giving their fourth championship of the
The skipper of the Lalith Athulathmudali MV Prabath Nimantha receiving the Plate Championship and a cash award of Rs. 25,000 from the Chairman Zahira Board of Governors Faouzul Hameed. Also in the picture are Guest-of Honour Group Captain Nalin de Silva (SLRFU Secretary), M.S. Mazeer (Chairman Organising Committee) and Ibrahim Hameed (Director Tournament)
7-year-old competition.
Initially Prince of Wales’, who were dark horses of the competition, broke the ice by opening the score, surprising Isipathana when Vihanga Fernando crossed over for an unconverted try. Not waiting long Chamod Fernando equalized for the Pathanians but the Cambrians bounced back when Navodya Pieris touched down for a converted try and give them the lead at halftime by 12-5.
After the break, Isipathana played with more sense and were paid off with two successive tries of Kushan Indunil and Ramindu Chamod. Both tries were converted as Isipathana took a healthy lead of 19-12. But the Cambrians struck back in the eleventh hour of the game when Nesaka Mendis went to post a spectacular under-the-post try which was
Vishmantha Lewke, skipper of the St. Benedict' s College receiving the Bowl Championship and a cash award of Rs. 10,000 from Justice Saleem Marsoof
converted to level the scores 19-all. Afterwards it was a battle of experience and luck which went in favour of Isipathana College.
Isipathana College earlier won the title three years in-a-row from 2008 to 2010. Last year’s winners Vidyartha College were beaten by the losing finalist Prince of Wales’ College handsomely in the semi-final by 17-10. Isipathana had a one-way traffic win against Zahira College Greens in the other Cup semi-final with a convincing 38-0 win to
Ramindu Promod of Isipathana College won the player of the tournament award which was given away by Trizvy Marikar, Principal of Zahira College Colombo
reach the final.
The Plate Championship was won by Lalith Athulathmudali Maha Vidyalaya who beat Piliyandala Central by 31-5. Lalith Athulathmudali MV beat Royal College Panadura 22-5 in the first semi-final while Piliyandala Central overcame Lumbini College by 17-7 in the other semi-final.
After a close battle St. Benedict’s College beat Carey College by 5-0 to win the Bowl Championship. IN the semi-finals St. Benedict’s beat Nalanda College by 22-0 while Carey beat Zahira College Maroons by 14-7.
Ramindu Promod of Isipathana College was named the player of the tournament while his team received a cash prize of Rs. 50,000 for winning the title. The Cup and cash award was received by Isipathana skipper Omalka Gunaratne.
A total of 13 schools, namely winners Isipathana College, last year’s winners Vidyartha College, Nalanda College, Lumbini College, S. Thomas’ College Mt. Lavinia, Carey College, Royal College Panadura, Prince of Wales’ College, Piliyandala Central and Lalith Athulathmudali Maha Vidyalaya participated. Hosts Zahira College fielded two teams under Greens and Maroons.
The tournament was organised for seventh year by the Zahira College Group of 60s headed by M.S. Mazeer. The tournament this year became a success with the assistance of chairman of organising committee Ifthikar Ahamed, tournament director Ibrahim Hamid, coordinating secretary Muhsheen Ariff and chairman technecial and discipline M. Shamly.
Cricket legend and former Sri Lanka spin wizard Mutiah Muralitharan graced the awards ceremony as the chief guest while Group Captain Nalin de Silva, the Secretary of Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union was the guest of honour. Allied Trading International and Faiz Brothers sponsored the tournament. – NA
Pix by Farook Lantra