Royal end Isipathana’s winning spree
Fullback Nabeel Yahiya's five penalties and a conversion was crucial in Royal's victory over Isipathana
Isipathana College’s continuous winning spree since 2019 came to an end after Royal College, bolstered after their Bradby Shield success last week, forced their opponents to concede a 22-17 win in their first Super Round Game of the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2023 at the Royal Sports Complex yesterday.
In one of the best games so far and a classic battle between a set of marauding forwards versus the fastest set of backs in the 2023 season, the Green Machine, who had everything to play for to retain their League title, were made to think twice as they now look forward for the crucial decider against St. Peter’s College next weekend.
All-in-all Royal should be given the credit for forcing Isipathana to give away five penalties, which was a crucial factor, as the winners were able to cross the line once for their solitary converted try. Isipathana, who were able to put over a penalty in the first half, where they trailed 3-6 at the break, scored a brilliant converted try before being awarded with a penalty try.
The game, which is also played for the Major Milroy Fernando Trophy took, off at a blistering pace from the kickoff with the Royalist doing their very best to slow down the pace of the game with superb use of drift defence and their tight-five who specialise in ball retention through pick and drive and the ominous rolling mauls, which got the better of most rivals.
Royal’s drift defense and the boot of full back Nabil Yahiya won the game for them as Isipathana found it hard to make and break gaps in the Royal line. Isipathana have themselves to blame for giving away 15 penalties for continuous offside offence.
Yahiya missed a 40-metre penalty in the second minute after Isipathana flanker Iroshan Gamage had not bound on the scrum. A minute later Royal was awarded another penalty for an infringement, which was kicked to touch before giving away their third penalty soon after. However Royal could not convert them to points.
Isipathana drew first blood with a penalty put over by skipper and winger Rinesh Silva to take a 3-0 lead by the 12th minute. After constant offensive moves Yahiya put over a penalty in the 23rd minute to equalise from a range of over 40 metres. Four minutes later Yahiya put over his second successful penalty as Royal took the lead by 6-3.
Referee Gihan Yatawara, who repeatedly warned Isipathana for offside offences, sin binned their No.8 Dulith Jayaweera on the 30th minute of play, but play continued without much effect on the score up until thalftime.
After the turnaround, to everyone’s surprise Royal fancied on running play, making some blistering moves into the Isipathana half. They were rewarded in the 41st minute when flyhalf Thiven Perera punched a hole in the Greens defence off a turnover ball and touched down under the post. With Yahiya’s conversion, Royal extended their lead 13-3. Isipathna gave away another penalty in the 46th minute and Yahiya made no mistake in putting it over and further stretch the lead to 16-3 in favour of Royal.
Isipathana, who were ineffective up to this point, struck back to their usual mode in the 52nd minute as winger Rinesh Silva scored under the post to close the gap 16-10. Three minutes later Isipathana was penalised yet again for being offside and Yahiya put over the penalty help Royal extend the lead 19-10.
Isipathana made some dangerous breaks with flanker Gamage and skipper Silva taking the initiative, however Royal’s drift defence led by Philio Calyaratne, who played at centre, kept the Isipathana playmakers modest for the first time this season. The physicality of play by Royal earned another penalty which was easily put over by Yahiya to increase the lead 22-10.
On the 67th minute Isipathana playmaker and centre Shahid Zumri, who came in from the bench, made a dangerous run towards the Royal line with a chip kick and was held up illegally. After referring with his assistant, referee Yatawara awarded a penalty try as Isipathana closed the gap 22-17, as the Major Milroy Fernando Trophy was regained by Royal.