Sports - Royal’s unbeaten run ends…

Isipathana three quarters proved too fast and unstoppable when they over ran Royal by 22 points (2 Goals, 1 Try, 1 Penalty) to 7 Points (1 Goal) win in their annual Major Milroy Fernando Memorial trophy encounter at the Royal Sports Complex yesterday. At the short breather the winners led 8-7.

The Isipathana three quarters looked very dangerous in attack, splitting the Royal defence on more than one occasion. Royal who were under severe pressure to perform well in order to get promoted to the top division next year started well but lacked the ability to last the pace of their opponents for the full 60 minutes of play.

Royal number 8 Diran Warunakulasuriya played an excellent game but lacked support from the rest. Isipathana full back Reza Mubarak was high tackled on no less than four occasions, but only on one of the instances was the player “sin bined”. Royal fly half Omar Hassen missed a penalty early in the game. But the home team who kept on attacking in the Isipathana territory scored through a forwards rush when Bilal Hassen brushed aside a few defenders to score mid left. His brother Omar was on target with the conversion. Isipathana cut the deficit through full back Reza Mubarak’s 30 meter penalty. Five minutes later Reza missed a difficult 40 meter conversion.

Then came one of the best tries in the game when skipper Ashan Costa cut through the Royal defence to score mid left to take a 8-7 lead at “Lemons”

In the second half two of the Royal players were sent to the “sin bin” for rough play. Taking advantage of the situation centre Damith Udayanga dashed through for a fine try. Reza Mubarak who had an outstanding game in attack as well as in defence was on target with another kick at goal.

Six minutes later Isiapthana number 8 Sajith Saranga sealed victory for the Havelock Town school through a fine try. With Reza Mubarak on target to take a well deserving win, thus ending Royal’s unbeaten run.

Referee: Anura Runkothge

Meanwhile up in Kandy St Anthony’s edged out Ananda 28-22 at Nittawela. At Bogambara Trinity warmed up for their clash against Isipathana next week with an easy 36-0 win over Dharmaraja.