Confident S. Thomas’ out to end Isipathana’s unbeaten record
Isipathana’s unbeaten record this season will be in real danger when they take on the rejuvenated S. Thomas’ outfit in a high-profile President’s Trophy Knock-Out Rugby Tournament semi-final clash at Havelock Park today. Isipathana are hoping to win their second Under-20 rugby title for the current Inter-Schools rugby season having already emerged undisputed ‘A’ Division League champions for 2022.
However, the Thomians are on a high now as they have put aside a dismal start to the League Tournament by recording four successive victories in a spectacular manner.
S. Thomas’ have shown great intent during their last couple of outings and their recovery began with back-to-back victories against St. Anthony’s College (32-25) and Kingswood College (36-8) which was followed by a thrilling 23-22 win over St. Peter’s College to retain the Archibald Perera Memorial Trophy. The Thomians then carried their excellent form into the knock-out tournament as well by defeating the giant killers Vidyartha College 35-14 in their quarter-final fixture played at Havelock Park last week.
Meanwhile, Isipathana will take the field with a proud eight-match winning streak under their belt after having demolished Dharmaraja College 38-6 in the first quarter-final encounter at the Royal Sports Complex last week. In addition, history is in favour of Isipathana as they have not lost a game against S. Thomas’ since 2009 with the previous meeting in 2019, ending in an exciting 12-12 draw at Mount Lavinia.
Isipathana have proved their dominance by coming out victorious in 2010 and 2011 but the encounter was not played in 2012 and 2013 as the two schools were pitted in different groups.
Thereafter, Isipathana went on to beat S. Thomas’ from 2014 to 2017 but the match did not take place once again in 2018. The first encounter between the two schools was played in 1965 where S. Thomas’ emerged victorious 6-3 at Havelock Park while Isipathana recorded their first win over the Thomians in 1969.
The highest score in the series was recorded by Isipathana in 2011 where they hammered S. Thomas’ 77-3 at Havelock Park, which was also the biggest ever defeat in Thomian rugby history.