Royal storm back to tame Pathana
Royalists with the Maj. Milroy Fernando Trophy
It was a classic example of ‘it is not how you start, but how you end that matters’. After trailing in the first half Royal College unleashed their might through their hefty forwards in the second half, to clinch a convincing 19-6 win over Isipathana College at the Royal Sports Complex, yesterday, to win the Major Milroy Fernando Trophy.
It was a crucial game for Royal and they faced the pressure well, scoring two goals and a try while Isipathana managed only two penalties.
If the first half saw Isiapthana dominate and not allow Royal to work the ball to the Pathana half, the opposite happened in the second half, albeit the costly exception that Royal managed to cross the try-line whereas the Green Machine couldn’t.
Pathana had their best chance of scoring a try in the opening 15 minutes as they used their forwards well and worked the ruck brilliantly. They came close bu tinstead of continuing with the forwards they passed the ball to the three-quarters who knocked-on. Contrary to their trademark style, the Pathana three-quarters this year have been a colossal disappointment. They play aimlessly, without direction or strategy and this has to be rectified next year by the Pathana coaching staff.
After using various ploys to score a try, which failed, Pathana coloursman Manilka Ruberu seized the opportinity to bag in three points. The rain which had first started with a gentle patter, poured down violently, drenching the field and this affected play negatively for both teams. Ruberu scored another penalty before half-time. However he had previously missed a 45-metre kick. The weather kept varying and soon the sun shone brightly and helped return the playing conditions to normal. This helped increase the tempo of the game.
Royal staged a gallant comeback
Royal received two yellow cards in the space of five minutes to add further worry to their shoddy start. Pathana led 6-0 at half-time.
The second-half started slow like the first, but after about 10 minutes of dazed play from both teams, Royal finally got their act together and launched an offensive. This was initially met well by the Pathana forwards who held them back, but the defence tired and eventually gave way. Royal flanker Achitha Radeshan scored the opening try, after the fowards muscled over the Isipathana defence. Maleesha Perera converted.
Ruberu received a penalty chance to regain the lead for the visitors, but the ball wasn’t placed correctly and it missed the post.
The hefty Royal forwards continued their attack and a quick break to full back Lehan Gunaratne gave them their second try. Dulan Gunawardena converted.
By this point Pathana, who have repeatedly flopped in the second-half this season, had given up. Royalist Lahiru Yomal was able to break through the Pathana defence to score the third try just before the long whistle. However, Royal didn’t take the conversion within the allowed time, and missed out on two points.
Match referee A. Veranga made bad judgments and overlooked illegal tackles. The St. Joseph’s-Royal game next week will decide whether Royal or St. Peter’s win the league this time.