Isipathana College hosted Royal College in a Super Round fixture of the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2024 today (10th of August) at Havelock Park. This encounter was also for the prestigious Major Milroy Trophy Fernando Trophy. After a very tight contest where none of the two teams managed to gain a sizable lead, Isipathana escaped by a whisker after a last second penalty which Shaahid Zumri kicked through. The final scoreline of the clash was 19-18.
Both teams had their opportunities in the first quarter of the game, but no points were scored by either side until the 22nd minute when Shaahid Zumri added 3 points for the visitors after an accidental offside infringement (IC 03 – 00 RC).
During the entire first half, only 3 points were scored, but two yellow cards were shown by the referee. The first was given to Yehan Weerasooriya of Royal College for a late charge, and the second to Kaveen Tharusha from Isipathana College for a dangerous tackle. Other than that, it was a cracking first half where both sides displayed top-notch rugby and defended their hearts out.
Half-Time: Isipathana College 03 – 00 Royal College
The first scoring opportunity of the second half came when the Royal College fullback tried to run from right to left instead of moving forward, and got isolated, conceding a holding-on penalty. Zumri, with another successful kick through the posts, increased the lead for the home team (IC 06 – 00 RC).
Royal College finally received an opportunity to add some points when an Isipathana player was caught offside while defending. The Royal skipper decided to go for the points, and Nabeel Yahiya obliged, reducing the lead to just 3 points (IC 06 – 03 RC).
However, Isipathana managed to restore the 6-point lead after the Royal Tuskers conceded an offside penalty. Zumri, with another good kick, added 3 points (IC 09 – 03 RC).
Straight from the restart kick after the successful penalty, Isipathana made a big mistake by letting the ball bounce, allowing the unpredictable nature of the oval-shaped ball to come into play. Royal managed to turn the ball over by applying pressure, and Thineth Gamage went over for the first 5-pointer of the game. The conversion, which would have given them the lead, didn’t go through, so the home team still had a 1-point buffer (IC 09 – 08 RC).
Feeling the pressure of the Royal College comeback, Isipathana continued to make mistakes. This time, a get-out-of-jail kick from Abdullah Faizer was charged down. While trying to recover the ball, Isipathana gave away a penalty for holding on. The Royal skipper opted for the safe choice of taking the lead, and Idris Farouk added 3 points, giving his team the lead for the first time in the match (IC 09 – 11 RC).
With less than 20 minutes to go, the Green Machine received a holding-on penalty and chose to gain territory with a kick. Faizer took his team inside the opposition’s 22-meter line. From a brilliant line-out, they worked the ball from left to right as Zumri found space between the last two Royal defenders on the right side of the field and went over for an important try. Avishka Hiran converted the try, increasing the lead for the home team (IC 16 – 11 RC).
Heading into the final 10 minutes of the game, the Royal Tuskers upped the ante, and their forwards used their power game to perfection. While attempting to defend, an Isipathana player received a yellow card, meaning they had to play the remainder of the game with one less man on the field. The Royal forwards kept pressing hard, and although the home team fought valiantly to defend, Akira Yatawara found the whitewash to level the score. Farouk converted the try as cheers from the Royal fans echoed around the stadium (IC 16 – 18 RC).
With the game entering the last few seconds, Isipathana knocked the ball forward while working their line, and it looked like it was curtains for the Green Machine. However, one of the Isipathana players fell to the ground, prompting the referees to check with the TMO. Dinka Peiris determined that Althaf Aman had pushed the Isipathana player after the whistle, resulting in a penalty being awarded to Isipathana. All Zumri had to do was kick it through from a distance of around 25 meters, and he did exactly that. Isipathana College supporters stormed the ground as the referee blew the whistle for full-time (IC 19 – 18 RC).
It was a game for the ages between two well-known rivals in the schools’ rugby circuit, and it went right down to the wire with a little bit of controversy to spice things up. In the end, it was Isipathana College, who have played many close games this season, that managed to walk away with another win. They now head into the final week setting up a rematch against the defending champions, St. Peter’s College, which will decide the league. This was a much-needed win for Isipathana, as a loss would have handed St. Peter’s College the championship even before the final week.
Shaahid Zumri scored 17 out of the 19 points for Isipathana and was named the NDB Bank Player of the Match. He scored the solitary try for Isipathana and kicked the all-important last penalty under immense pressure. He will undoubtedly be a marked man next week, and Isipathana will be hoping his heroics continue against the defending champions.
Full Time : Isipathana College 19 (1T 1C 4P) beat Royal College 18 (2T 1C 2P)
- NDB Bank Player of the Match : Shahid Zumri (IC)
Isipathana College : Shahid Zumri 17 Points (1 Try 4 Penalties), Avishka Hiran 2 Points (1 Conversion)
Royal College : Thineth Gamage 5 Points (1 Try), Akira Yatawara 5 Points (1 Try), Idris Farouk 5 Points (1 Penalty 1 Conversion) Nabeel Yhaiya 2 Points (1 Penalty)
 at Havelock Park. This encounter was also for the prestigious Major Milroy Trophy Fernando Trophy. After a very tight contest where none of the two teams managed to gain a sizable lead, Isipathana escaped by a whisker after a last second penalty which Shaahid Zumri kicked through. The final scoreline of the clash was 19-18.){kind=link}