Unbeaten Isipathana confront Royal in crucial match

By M. Shamil Amit

Defending champions Isipathana College Colombo, one of the two unbeaten teams left in the ongoing Dialog Schools Rugby league tournament, will enter the crucial phase of their title defence when they take on Royal College in the Super Round encounter scheduled to be kicked off from 4:15 p.m. onwards at the Royal Sports Complex.

Apart from the league tournament match this will also be fought out for the Major Milroy Fernando Memorial Trophy presented by Col. Dudley Fernando in memory of his late son who died in action at Omanthai in the year 1986.

The match is no doubt going to be a blockbuster due to the fact that the two teams possess talented players and have dished out top class rugby in the past and present.

The clashes between the two sides in the previous encounters have produced mouth watering finishes and this time too it will be the same.

Of course Isipathana, led by Naveen Kaniska, will be coming into the game with a load of confidence having rested ahead of this crucial encounter while Royal led by Randula Senanayake were busy last week with their traditional Bradby Shield encounters against arch rivals Trinity.

Looking back at the performance of the two teams, the Pathanians have the edge and will be coming in with the aim of making their presence felt in pursuit of the plumb and also to retain the Major Milroy Memorial Trophy which they won last year under the guidance of Daham Wickramaarchchi.

Royal on the other hand will be seeking to regain the trophy with their last win being under the leadership of Thulaib Hassan in 2019.

The Pathanians lead in the Major Milroy Fernando Memorial Trophy series having 15 wins under their belt from the 31 matches played while Royal has succeeded to win 11 times with four matches ending in draws and one void.

However the supporters of the two teams can expect a keenly contested encounter as the two teams know that this is a crucial game. 

The scale is in favour of Isipathana who have chalked up 36 points from their six wins while Royal has secured 26 points from four wins whilst undergoing two defeats.

The Teams:

Isipathana - Naveen Kansihka (Capt), Rinesh Silva, Chamindu Chirath, Sehandu de Costa, Hashen Randimal, Chamath Iroshan, Tharindu Eranga, Nisaja Jayaweera, Dunila Fernando, Kaveen Tharusha, Senuth Dinusata, Savinu Arawgoda, Chamindu Dilshan, Kalindu Silva, Shaahid Zumri, Lasitha Mapitigama, Abdullah Faizer, Gesandu Maneth, Bashitha Chathuranga, Sithurpa Bometh, Avishka Hiran, Kenula, Mihisara, Tehan Ranaweera, Thrienthra Dodangoda, Sithum Damhiru, Raheem Ahamad, Nimantha Sandeepa, Shaakib Zumri

Royal – Randul Senanayake (Capt), Kavinash Srikantth, Afeef Farouk, Thineth Gamage, Yehan Weerasuriya, Buwaneka Senanayake, Ayyash Shiyam, Yovindu Ethugala, Thanvir Hassen, Shimak Shafeek, Thivain Perera, Disas Pahirana, Duljaya Gamanayake, Charuka Senaviratne, Philio Calyanaratne, Naqeeb Mohamed, Abdurrahman Ajmal, Gesandu Wijewardena, Pabasara Samarakoon, Savistha Fernando, Amika Samarasinghe, Nabeel Yahya, Didula Jayasuriya, Shahid Mohideen, Binuda Malalgama