Invincible Royal beat Isipathana 21-8

Takes Singer ‘A’ Division League title :

By Indika Welagedara

Royal College, Colombo, clinched the rugby double - wining the Division 1 Under 20 Schools Rugby Singer League and the Major Milroy Fernando trophy, when they beat unbeaten Isipathana College comprehensively by 21points ( 3 Tries, 2 Penalties ) to 8 ( 1 Try, 1 Penalty) at the Royal Sports Complex in Reid Avenue, yesterday. Winners led 16 points to 8 at half time.

The match got off to a rousing start, with both teams engaged in a hectic battle for supremacy and in the seventh minute of the game, Royal received a penalty for an off side play by an Isipathana player and Royal 16 -year- old, fullback, Ovin Askey put over a superb 40 metre penalty, to give Royal a 3 nil lead.

Within four minutes, Isipathana captain cum number eight, Omalka Gunarathna broke off from a scrum and went through the Royal defence and off loaded it to his centre, Kushan Indunil who sent his speedy winger, Dilan Gallage over for a fantastic corner flag try with a sheer burst of speed. Flyhalf, Isuru Kongahawatte missed the difficult touch line conversion and Isipathana got in to the lead 5-3.

In the 19th minute of play, Royal received a penalty for an infringement and fullback Ovin Askey put it to touch, in the ensuing line out, Royal 2nd Row, Umesh Madushan won the the ball and in the on-going rolling maul, Royal number eight and try machine, Supun Warnakulasuriya touched down for a try, where the difficult conversion was missed by Ovin Askey. The score read, Royal 8 to Isipathana 5.

Isipathana received a penalty in the 24th minute of play, when a Royal forward was spotted going over in a ruck and their flyhalf, Isuru Kongahawatte put over a fantastic 38 metre penalty to equal the score 8 all.

In the 28th minute of play, Royal were awarded a 25 metre penalty which was put to touch by Royal fullback, Ovin Askey and in the on- going line out, Royal won the ball and in the ensuing maul, Royal’s 2nd row forward, Umesh Madushan dived over for a sensational try, Askey surprisingly missed the conversion.

The score read 13-8 in favour of Royal.

In the 32nd minute of play, Royal were awarded a 25 metre penalty for a infringement by an Isipathana player and fullback, Ovin Askey put it over to and the score read Royal 16 to Isipathana 8.

Just before halftime in the 39th minute of play, Royal scrum half ,Ashok Wijeykumar’s pass to Flyhalf Gayal Jayasinghe was intercepted by Isipathana centre Kushan Indunil, but unfortunately the ball was knocked forward when he could not hold on to the ball with a open field right in front of him for a certain try.

At half time, the score stood at Royal College 16 points to Isipathana’s 8.

In the 15th minute of play, Isipathana prop forward, Sachin Alawathugoda was sent in to the sin bin for a dangerous tackle.

Royal were awarded a scrum in the 17th minute of play and Royal forwards turned it into a rolling maul and with a one- man advantage over Isipathana prop, Alawathugoda sending in to the sin bin the Royal number eight and highest try scorer in the league this season, Supun Warnakulasuriya the unsung hero of the day barged over for his 16th try. Full back Ovin Askey missed the conversion and Royal went further ahead with the score reading 21-8.

In the 39th minute of play, Royal were awarded a penalty for a holding on by a Isipathana player and to the utter dismay of all the Royal fans present, fullback, Ovin Askey missed an easy penalty by his standard. Royal was leading by 21 points to 8.

There was no further scoring before the final whistle of the referee and Royal College, Colombo, came out worthy winners, by 21 points to 8.

Incidentally, today is the third time in a row that Royal College beat Isipathana College under the leadership of centre, Bhanuka Gamage as previously they beat Isipathana in the Under 14 and Under 16 .

Referee Aruna Rankothge