Isipathana-Royal clash at Sugathadasa Stadium tomorrow

By M. Shamil Amit

Defending champions Isipathana will confront Royal  tomorrow in the second semi-final of the Dialog Schools Knockout Rugby tournament where they will battle for the second final slot at Sugathadasa Stadium from the original venue earlier of Havelock Park.

Isipathana led by second row Thinethra Dodangoda will be hoping to make it to the final for the fourth successive year. In the previous three years they succeeded to clinch the title on two occasions in 2022 and last year.

On the other hand, Royal led by centre Amika Samarasinghe have played second fiddle to the Pathana in the year 2014 and 2016. They will be seeking to avenge these defeats.

However, Royal underwent some anxious moments in their pre-quarter final match against Kingswood where they managed to stave off their challenge to record a close win but they romped to victory in the quarter-final against DSS, showing that they will be a side to be reckoned with.

Isipathana on the other hand had an easy passage against Sri Sumangala in the pre-quarter final but were made to fight hard for their win against Wesley in the quarter-final.

The two sides have a player each who will be in the news when the league gets underway next month with Isipathana possessing No. 8 Shaakib Zumri who turned the game in their favour against Wesley while Royal skipper Amika Samarasinghe who had  a successful game against DSS planting four tries will be the player to watch.