The most passionate Singer schools rugby league came to a conclusion after Royal College won against the last years’ triple champions Isipathana College 21 (T3, P2) to 08 (T1, P1) at Reid Avenue.
Apparently it is not the first time that Banuka Gamage’s team has beaten Omalka Gunarathne’s team. They were the joint champions in under 14 tournament, Royal won when they were playing at under 16 and also won in the under 18 – 7’s tournament two years ago.
Todays’ final was expected to be a much more intense game from both sides, but Royal managed to use their trump card, the powerful driving maul to good effect and the Greens had not much choice in stopping it.
Ovin Askey started the scoring with a 40m penalty after Isipathana was penalized for coming sideways in the ruck. Three minutes later, Isipathana dominated the opposite half and Omalka using his strength fell half a meter short to score the try. That did not make a difference as the little dynamite Dilan Gallage scored in the right flank. Isuru Kongahawatte missed the extras. (RC 03 – 05 IC)
But from then on, Royal dominated the possession and it was a gigantic performance from #1 to #8. They knew what to do and their strategy was clear as they opted to go for touch instead a 20m kickable penalty. Supun Warnakulasuriya could not ask for a better position to get a lineout as he sway from the driving maul to the try line. Askey could not hit the uprights. . (RC 08 – 05 IC)
Royal defense was tested more than their attack in the second quarter and loose forwards Keshan Peiris and Shawket Lahir made a 110% effort to keep the green brigade under control. Royal infringed in the ruck and as a result Kongahawatte managed to nail a penalty to level the score in the 22nd minute. Umesh Madushan the lock forward orchestrated the lineouts showing his power to score in the left flank with a pick and run. Askey missed the conversion but managed to seal a penalty after Banuka Gamage’s fine run was stopped in an illegitimate play by Isipathana.
Half Time : Royal 16 (T2, P2) – Isipathana 08 (T1, P1)
After the break Isipathana played territorial kicks by Kongahawatte and the center Kushan Indunil had a chance to score, but he fumbled with the ball 5m away from the try line. Royal showed great counter rugby from their red zone to visit the opposite half. Isipathana tight head was sin-binned for collapsing the maul and once again the hosts went for the touch. As a result Supun scored his 16th try of the season with yet another driving maul. (RC 21 – 08 IC)
The score board did not change since then till the final whistle, as Isipathana tried hard with the less opportunity in possession. Greens winger Punchihewa with the ball made some threat but his off load to Rehan Silva ended in a forward pass. Both teams knew their strengths and weaknesses; despite Royals’ strength lying in their forwards play, their defensive pattern was steadfast and did not allow for the green machine to break through.
Isipathana lost the momentum in the lineouts as they could not win the very first one. They did not put enough pressure on the 6th man lineout and it looked too easy for Umesh Madushan to collect in the air. Although Isipathana fought hard to stop that famous Royal driving maul, it held magnificently.
In the last quarter Royal showed brilliant control phase by phase and played their structural game plan. Scrum half Ashok Kumar did control the game smoothly and went on contact when it was needed. Isipathana could not get enough ball position and kept getting knock-ons which cost them in attack. Askey had a penalty seconds before the full time but it went wide of the post.
Royal last won the league under Shehan Lema Pathirana in 2011, and that joy will once again be cherished by Banuka Gamage’s boys.
ThePapare player of the match – Shawket Lahir
