Milo President’s Trophy Final: Unbeaten Isipathana hold the edge

Isipathana rugby team

Royal rugby team

By Shamseer Jaleel

After many postponements and obstacles, the Final of the Milo President’s Trophy knockout will now take place at the Race Course Rugby grounds on 13 July. Kickoff is scheduled at 4:15 p.m.

The initial date of the final was scheduled for 9 July at the Royal College Sports Complex. But later Isipathana objected citing home advantage for Royal. Earlier before the semi-final encounters, both Isipathana and Thomians objected playing at Royal Complex.

But the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association (SLSRFA) ignored the Thomians’ request and went ahead and hosted the match at the Royal Grounds which the home team won. SLSRFA then postponed the finals to 16 July at Race Course grounds. But Isipathana had stated they requested only to change the venue and not the date. 

The Green Shirts point was that the Sri Lanka Under 18 schools tour is scheduled for Hong Kong on 21 July and practices were planned to start on 11 July. Isipathana received a walk over when D.S. Senanayake pulled out in their quarter final encounter. In the semi-final they beat the Peterites while the Royalists beat Wesley in the quarter final and got the better of the Thomians in their semi-final encounter. Isipathana is unbeaten so far this season.

Royal skipper Nikila Gunadheera 

Isipathana skipper Kasun Indunil 

Two coaching staff 

Both teams look confident before the kick-off with the Royalists having an edge on forwards play led by Nikila Gunadheera while the Pathana lads hold a strong three quarter line led by Kasun Indunil. Royal is being coached by Sri Lanka Under 20 Head Coach Sanath Martis while the Pathana lads are taken care by former Sevens player, Nilfer Ibrahim.

In another surprise move by the Referees Society they appointed Rohan Fernando as the referee for the grand final.

Likely starting line ups

Isipathana: Isuru Udayakumar, Kaveesha Madushan (Props), Hasitha Mapitigama (Hooker), Lahiru Wisvajith, Sudeera Dissanayake (Second Rowers), Adheesha Weeratunga, Devin Gunratne (Flankers), Vageesha Weerasinghe (No.8), Harith Bandara (scrum Half), Randy Silva (Fly Half ) , Chamod Fernando (Wing), Kushan Indunil, Sumudu Rankothge (Centres), Ranidu Padmasanka (Wing) and Gayan Wickremaratne (Full Back).

Royal: Ayesh Maduranga, Nikhila Gunadeera (Props), Azmir Fajudeen (Hooker), Harith Lokugamage, Shavindra Viduranga (Second Rowers), Pasindu Amerasinghe, Maleesha Madhumewan (Flankers), Hamza Reeza (No.8), Ashok Viyayakumar (Scrum Half), Ovin Haskey (Fly Half), Nikhil George (Wing), Janidu Dilshan, Sabith Feroze (Centres), Thulaib Hassen (Wing) and Mahima Gamage (Full Back)

Referee Rohan Fernando