Both schools have proud histories of their rugby prowess and clashes between them have always provided fans with thrilling fare.

They have proved worthy group decider’s with a consistent display of quality rugby against all their opponents in this year’s league tournament and appear to have peaked at just the right time to provide a grand finale to the present schools rugby season.

The game will be a battle between Isipathana’s speedy three quarters and Science’s mobile forwards.

Science had a fairly lean first couple of matches compared to their own high standards but improved their game as the season progressed and despite ending behind group leaders Isipathana as per the points table, have picked up their game from the second match onwards. In the ongoing league tournament they have four wins in a row over St Anthony’s Kandy (40-28), St. Peter’s (13-10), Dharmaraja Kandy (54-7) and Kingswood Kandy (53-5).

For Science Tharindu Maduranga has been a tower of strength and has led from the front and emerged as one of the leading points scorers this season. Hashan Madumadawa, Nishad Niranjan, Thanuja Maduranga and Supun Dilshan have bonded into a powerful unit.

Meanwhile the high riding Isipathanians also have four emphatic wins on their way to this decider brushing aside Dharmaraja Kandy (61-15), St. Anthony’s Kandy (43-17), Kingswood Kandy (53-05) and then beating St. Peter’s College 36-21 with ease last week. Flanker Devin Gunaratne and their versatile number eight Wagesha Weerasinghe will be the men to watch. Weerasinghe is arguably the player of the season and the Science defence will have their work cut out to keep this talented player shackled.

Scrum half Bandara is a bundle of energy and a good reader of the game and is well supported in the back division by 15-year-old fly half Malinda Ruberu, centres Sumudu Rankothge, skipper Kushan Indunil and wingers Chamod Fernando and Padmasanka. Fullback Wickramaratne has been a revelation in his ability to join the line and his speed has brought him rich rewards this season.

Isipathana who have swept all before them will be the firm favourites but they know that they are up against a strong side and a loss to Science will not only prevent them achieving top spot in their group but will also take away some of the gloss of their grand performances this season.

Be prepared to witness a bruising battle between two great school teams with more than just a point to prove.

A superb second half rally saw Science College, Mount Lavinia create history by beating Isipathana College by 21 points (3 Goals) to 18 (1 Goal, 1 Try , 2 Penalties) and clinch the Milo Rugby Knock Out Trophy in the final played at the Royal Complex yesterday. Winners were trailing by 7-15 at lemons.

It was a historic moment for the lads from Mount Lavinia as this is the first time they have won a major trophy in XV side rugby.

Isipathana were out to a flying start in the first half when in the second minute of play, full back Rehan Silva received a pass from winger Asitha Punchihewa and fell over the line for an unconverted try by the left corner flag. Score 5 Nil in favour of Isipathana.

Two minutes later, Isipathana increased their lead to 8 Nil, when their fly half Isuru Kongahawatta fired across a 30 metre penalty.

Five minutes later Science College hit back when off a three quarter move, centre Tharindu Maduranga made a lovely break to score a try mid right. He added the extra points himself to close the gap to 8-7 in favour of Isipathana.

On the stroke of half time, Isipathana increased their lead when their second row forward Chathura Dilshan powered his way to touch down under the post to give their fly half Isuru Kongahawatte an easy kick at goal. And the lads from Havelock town led 15- 7 at the breather. Early in the second half, in the 12th minute of play, Pathana went ahead further when their fly half Isuru kongahawatte put over a 30 metre penalty to make it 18-7.

Science College’s fight-back began in the 22nd minute of the second half when their scrum half Hashan Madumadawa scampered through for a try under the post. Tharindu Maduranga added the extra points to make the score 18 points to 14 in favour of Isipathana. Three minutes later, Science full back Supun Dilshan scored the most extravagant try of the match, when he collected a desperate clearance kick from Isipathana fly half Isuru Kongahawatte and burst through over 30 metres to fall over mid right for a glorious try. Centre Tharindu Maduranga converted to give them a 21-18 lead.

Although Isipathana tried hard in the last ten minutes, they could not pierce the rock hard Science defence and the lads from Mount Lavinia ran out worthy winners by 21 points to 18. Referee Irshad carder controlled the game.

Unbeaten Isipathana College thrashed Science College Mt.Lavinia by 45 points (5 Goals , 2 tries) To 20 points ( 1 Goal, 2 Tries , 1 Penalty) at Science grounds Mt.Lavinia yesterday. Winners Isipathana led 19-3 at half time.

Isipathana started proceeding by moving into Science territory and in the 13th minute their full back Rehan De Silva scored off a beautiful three quarter move. Fly half Isuru Kongahawatte made the conversion. Isipathana took the lead 7-nil.

Within the space of four minutes isipathana scored again when their flanker Wageesha Weerasinghe went over for a try and fly half Kongahawatte made the conversion again for Isipathana to increased the lead to 14-nil.

Science fly half Nishad Niranjan put over a penalty to make the score 14-3 in favor of Isipathana.

Just before half time Isipathana scored again, off a scrum Pathana worked their line for their centre Chamod Fernando scored a try and fly half Kongahawatte missed the conversion. Isipathana went further ahead with 19 points to 3 lead. This score remained at the breather.

After the resumption Science were awarded a penalty and Science captain Lasindu Karunathilaka taking a quick tap crashed through for try. Fly half Nishad Niranjan missed the conversion. Score read 19 points to 8 in favor of Isipathana.

In the 8th minute of play off a scrum Omalka Gunaratna broke through and off load it to flanker Wageesha Weerasinghe who sprinted his way to score a try after covering 25 meters near the right corner flag. Fly half Isuru Kongahawatte put over fantastic touchline conversion. Insidentaly this guy Kongahawatte had showen a tremendous improvement in his kicking due to the recent recruitment of their kicking coach Dev Anand. Isipathana led 26 to 8.

In the 12th minute of play Pathana off a scrum their scrum half Harith Maduranga made a break and gave a beautiful inside pass to his winger Asitha Punchihewa who changed direction and went through the entire Science defence to score a try after covering nearly 35 meters. Kongahawatte missed the conversion. Isipathana 31 to Science 8.

Within the space of four minutes Science did scored a try when their captain Lasindu Karunathilaka went over off a rolling maul. Fly half Nishad Niranjan made a fantastic conversion from the touch line to reduce the gap to Isipathana 31 to science 15.

Isipathana scored soon after in the 23rd minute of play. Omalka Gunarathna made a break through a scrum and ran almost 30 meters passing several science defenders and when challenge off load it to his scrum half Harith Maduranga who went through the gap and sent his second row Chathura Dilshan over for a brilliant try. Kongahawatte ones again made a superb touchline conversion to read the score 38-15 in favor of Isipathana.

In the 29th minute of play Science scored a consolation try through their second row Madushan Ayeshmantha and the conversion was missed by Niranjan. Score read 38-20 in favor of Isipathana.

Isipathana sealed the match in style when in the 36th minute of play pathana work their three quarter line off a scrum and their winger Dilan Gallage went through the science defense and gave a pass to his centre Kushan Indunil who went over for a fantastic try. Fly half Kongahawatte made a difficult touch line conversion to read the score as Isipathana College 45 to Science College20