Royal College produced a breathtaking second-half rally to stun this year’s Knock-out Champions, Isipathana College by 34 points (three goals, two tries and one penalty) to 31 points (three goals and two tries) in the final Cup Segment match of the Dialog Schools League Rugby Tournament at the Royal Sports Complex in Colombo yesterday.
Royal, trailing 3-24 at half time, looked out of contention before launching a remarkable turnaround that had the Reid Avenue faithful erupting in jubilation at the final whistle.
Isipathana struck first in the 11th minute when burly forward Adithya Madushan crashed over, with Thenuka de Costa adding the extras. A penalty by Royal reduced the margin to 3-7 in the 21st minute but Pathana centre Nimantha Sandeepa replied with an unconverted try to make it 12-3.
Number eight Shaakib Zumri then powered over, converted by Avishka Hiran, to stretch the lead to 17-3 in the 31st minute. Royal’s burly prop Yoshitha Jayasekara was sin-binned and Pathana capitalised as Sandeepa scored again, Hiran converting for a 24-3 half-time lead.
Royal hit back immediately after the restart, number eight Disas Pathirana scoring a try to cut the gap to 8-24. Minutes later, another converted try brought it to 15-24. Royal then struck again to close within 22-24 but Isipathana answered with a converted try to move ahead 31-22.
The game entered a thrilling final phase as Yoshitha Sithuminia’s converted try brought Royal within four points at 27-31 in the 63rd minute.
In the dying moments, Royal’s forwards mounted a furious assault and Jayasekara powered over for the decisive try. Full back Yuwan Pathirana coolly converted to seal a famous 34-31 victory, sparking wild celebrations.
Referee: Sumedha Arunashantha.
By – Sunday Observer