Royal and Isipathana favoured to make knockout final

Trinity flanker Rukshan Dhammapala in attack against 

D.S. Senanayake in their quarterfinal encounter

Shamseer Jaleel 

Both defending Singer league champions Royal College and defending Milo knockout champions Isipathana are likely to meet in the final of the Milo Knockout Trophy. 

Both teams received walkovers since only six teams confirmed their participation at this year’s competition.

Royal will meet Science College on 4 July in the first semi-final, with a venue yet to be decided. Science College has already sent two letters of protest asking for a neutral ground for their game. 

Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association (SSRFA) conveyed in the strongest possible terms that they would host only the finals at a neutral ground if Royal qualified for it. If the ground conditions are good and open play is possible then Royal will have a tough time containing the speedy three quarters of Science College. 

However, if Royal’s forwards are allowed to get into the game then it will be a one-horserace, with the Reid Avenue school winning without much difficulty. The game will be refereed by Aruna Rankothge. 

In the second semi-final to be played on 5 July, Isipathana and Trinity will lock horns for a final’s berth. In the league tournament, the Green Shirts pulled off a win in this encounter thanks to a late second half rally. Both teams look strong in their three quarter line with the Havelock Town lads holding the edge. 

In their quarterfinal, Trinity outclassed D.S. Senanayake 41-14. The four top teams from the Singer League have qualified for the semi-finals this year. Isipathana are leading with wins at the Milo Knockout Trophy, winning on 11 occasions with Trinity securing the title thrice and Royal twice. The game will be controlled by referee Irshard Cader.