Isipathana and Royal in must-win game

By M. Shamil Amit

Two of the leading rugby playing schools Isipathana College and Royal College will confront each other in another crucial second round match of the Dialog Schools Rugby league scheduled to be played at Havelock Park with the kick off set for 4.15 pm today.

In fact this is a dual purpose game as the two sides will also clash for the Major Milroy Fernando Memorial Trophy which was won by Royal last year.

Both teams won four matches each in the first round while losing one and have an outside chance for the Cup with four more games to play with today’s match crucial looking ahead.

Royal led by Number Eight Disas Pathirana ended the first round league campaign on a winning note defeating S. Thomas’ and in contrast Isipathana led by Number Eight Shaahid Zumri lost to Trinity.

Pathirana has in his ranks players of the caliber of prop Lehansa Amarasinghe, flankers Senuja Ranasinghe and Althaf Aman, hooker Akira Yatawara, Raaid Bar and Nazir Haniffa who need to deliver.

Zumri on the other hand will be one of the key players along with the experience fly half Nimantha Sandeepa, centre Yuvin Kodituwakku, Sanuja Jayaweera, Nevith Mewnala, Kaveen Jayasinghe and Thanuka Jayaweera from having to step up for Isipathana.

The Major Milroy Fernando Memorial Trophy clash will be the 35th in the series and Isipathana lead the tally with 16 wins to Royal ‘s 13 with four ending in draws.