A spirited Isipathana College defeated Royal College 21 (2T 1C 3P) – 15 (2T 1C 1P) to remain unbeaten and secure the Dialog Schools Rugby League for 2022 along with the Major Milroy Fernando Trophy at Havelock Park.
The visitors came in with three changes while Isipathana made two changes, entering into the game of their lives, with ‘winner takes all’ stakes.
Both teams wrestled in the first ten minutes of the game, but neither managed to take control of the game.
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Royal were the first to score through Pasindu Heshan, silencing the crowd at the Park. Nabeel Yahiya added the extras and a penalty soon after from close range to extend the visitors’ lead. (IC 00-10 RC)
It took the home team 20-minutes to get off the mark, thanks to a penalty off the boots of Rinesh Silva and M. Botheju soon after Abdullah Yoosuf saw red for a high shot.
Half time: Isipathana College 06 (2P) trail Royal College 10 (1T 1C 1P)
With the game on a knife’s edge, both teams entered the second half, knowing the game stood in the balance, with glory awaiting at the end of the remaining 35 minutes.
Replacement Botheju added a penalty for the home team to make it a 1-point game with more than thirty minutes left. (IC 09-10 RC)
Both teams lost a man apiece as Hasnaka Higgoda and Nisanjana Jayaweera saw yellow respectively for Royal and Isipathana.
A man up, despite losing Jayaweera, Isipathana pounced on the opportunity to score a scintillating try through Five-eighth Naveen Kanishka as he coasted through the heart of the Royal defense to score under the post. (IC 16-10 RC)
Royal struck back with a trademark try of their own from a maul courtesy Danuja Samararathna from the tail of the rumbling maul. Nabeel Yahiya failed to add the extras from the corner, leaving Isipathana a single-point lead. (IC 16-15 RC)
The home team conquered their demons with a contender for try of the season through winger Stephan Jayakanth as he finished off a move that was started by Botheju. Botheju himself failed with the extras, however, Pathana remained in the leads the clock wound down and they secured the Dialog Schools Rugby League and the Major Milroy Fernando trophy.
Full time: Isipathana College 21 (2T 1C 3P) – Royal College 15 (2T 1C 1P)
NDB Player of the Match: Tharindu Wewalapanditha (IC Flanker)
Points Breakdown:
Isipathana College –Naveen Kanishka 1T, Stephan Jayakanth 1T, Rinesh Silva 1P, M Botheju 1C, 2P
Royal College – Pasindu Heshan 1T, Danuja Samararathne 1T, Nabeel Yahiya 1C, 1P
 - 15 (2T 1C 1P) to remain unbeaten and secure the Dialog Schools Rugby League and the Major Milroy Fernando Trophy, double at Havelock Park.){kind=link}