Epic battle to decide the League

By Shamseer Jaleel

Harshith Peiris Royal skipper

Isipathana College skipper Dahan Nithina

The final between the defending league champions Royal College and Isipathana College will take place on 14 August at the Havelock Park. Royal are attempting four in a row while Isipathana a comeback after six years which is a long wait for their standards. This encounter will be played for Maj Milroy Fernando Memorial trophy.

Kick-off is at 4 p.m.

In this series between the two schools after the trophy on offer Isipathana having won on 30 occasions lead the tally to Royal’s 11. Four of the encounters ending in draw and one game ending in null and void. In the initial encounter played in 1986 saw the Green Shirts winning 11/9. The last occasions both teams met was in 2019 before the COVID pandemic where the Reid Avenue outfit won 19/6.

Royal lately have been playing outstanding rugby and their strength being their heavy set of forwards and more than anything this will be a morale booster game before the Bradby Shield encounter against Trinity which is only a week away. 

For Royal their full-back Nabeel Yehya has been outstanding this season. His kicks to touch and safe collection and attack have been above all players this season. Kaveen Sasanga, Hasnaka Higgoda the nippy scrum half too being outstanding for the Royal lads. Danuja Samanaratne, Abdellah Yousuf and Rahil Wijesekara should be closely monitored as the rolling maul is their main weapon. The outfit is coached by Dushantha Lewke with Radhika Hettiarachchi supporting the three-quarter line.

Meanwhile Isipathana lived up to their high standard of rugby; the school producing the greatest number of national players. They have dished out some excellent running rugby by their three-quarter line. Skipper Dahan Nithina, Sangeeth Kodagoda, Tharindu Wewalpanditha, Malith Misara and Rinesh Silva are the lads who could get this game over the line for the Havelock Town lads. Isipathana is coached by Saliya Kumara who is also the National Women’s sevens coach.

Isipathana will need a win or a draw to take home the title after six years of waiting.

Referee will be Ishanka Abeykoon.