Zumri takes Isipathana past Royal with 17-point contribution

By Shamseer Jaleel

Isipathana College continued their unbeaten run in the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2024 when they edged out Royal College 19/18 at Havelock Park last weekend. With this win they claimed Maj Milroy Fernando Trophy after a lapse of two years.

Wing Commander (Rtd) Sanjaya Fernando was the Chief Guest at the encounter. Sanjay played for Green Shirts in 1985 to 87, winning college colours for rugby represented Sri Lanka Air Force from 1988 to 2005 leading the outfit in 2003.

Isipathana’s cracking centre, Shaahid Zumri contributed 17 out of the 19 points which the Greens scored yesterday.

Shaahid Zumri drew first blood for Pathana through a penalty to take early lead for the Greens. This was the only scoring in the initial half. After the turn around, Zumri added another penalty soon after the turn around but Nabeel Yahiya put over one for the Reid Avenue boys. Zumri’s third penalty took them in to a 6-points lead but it was short lived as the Royal skipper, Thivain Perera touched down to reduce the deficit to one point at 8/9. In the 50th minute of the game, Idrees Farouk put over a penalty for the Royal outfit to take the lead at 12/9. But then came the best try of the game when class act and electrifying Shaahid Zumri touched down for the Greens and Avishka Hiran added the extras to take 16/11 lead.

Ten minutes later Royal once again took the lead through Atharf Idris try which was goaled by Idris Farouk. Though Zumri missed a penalty, minutes later he was spot on with a penalty to take the Greens through unbeaten and keeps their hopes alive for the next weekend’s game against St. Peter’s for the League.

Referee was Ishanka Abeykoon.