In another thrilling chapter of the Cup Segment of the ongoing Dialog Schools Rugby League 2026, Isipathana College staged a remarkable second-half resurgence to defeat Royal College 31-12 at the Havelock SC Grounds yesterday (6th June). The match, which ended in a 12-all stalemate at halftime, turned decisively in Isipathana’s favour following a collapse in discipline from the Royal side, who received a staggering five yellow cards.
From the outset, it was Royal College that looked the more dangerous side, utilising their early momentum to strike first. In the 10th minute, Royal College launched a brilliant attack and crossed the whitewash. However, the referee ruled that the ball had been held up in the in-goal area.
After another 10 minutes of play, the Royalists launched a fierce attack, reaching the opposition’s red zone. The visitors searched for the opening score by moving the ball wide before switching to a pick-and-drive approach. However, Isipathana defended resolutely to prevent the hosts from scoring. Moments later, Royal College openside winger Dinuka Perera created a gap on the right flank and exploited it with a deceptive sidestep before racing over the try line, signalling their intent to dominate the encounter. Mohammed Mawsuf then produced an excellent conversion to add the extras. (IC 00 – 07 RC)
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A few minutes later, the try scorer was sin-binned for a deliberate knock-on. Fuelled by the numerical advantage, Isipathana displayed resilience and character, responding immediately with a strong attacking sequence. They earned an offside penalty just five metres from the try line and opted for a scrum. After several pick-and-drive phases, front-rower Newith Mewnaka powered through a number of tacklers and barged over the line, maintaining excellent body position and leg drive. Nimantha Sandeepa converted with ease to level the scores. (IC 07 – 07 RC)
During the closing stages of the first half, Royal College mounted another determined attack close to the try line. Isipathana conceded back-to-back penalties, allowing the Royalists to earn a couple of five-metre lineouts. Royal reclaimed the lead through one of their trademark weapons, executing a textbook rolling maul. Hooker Akira Yatawara emerged from the back of the maul to score, leaving Isipathana with little opportunity to stop the move. (IC 07 – 12 RC)
On the brink of halftime, the Isipathana fly-half produced a well-placed grubber kick, and fullback Nimantha Sandeepa did brilliantly to chase and gather the ball inside the Royal 22. Isipathana continued their fierce attack and crossed the whitewash, but the referee again ruled that the ball had been held up. Meanwhile, the Royal vice-captain was sin-binned for failing to retreat 10 metres at a penalty. Making full use of the extra man, Isipathana spread the ball across the three-quarter line. Just before the halftime whistle, they struck back with great composure as winger Dilum Senadheera crossed over in the left corner to level the scores. (IC 12 – 12 RC)
Half Time: Royal College 12 (2T, 1C) – 12 (2T, 1C) Isipathana College
The Green Machine began the second half looking dangerous and quickly advanced deep into Royal territory. As the ball moved across the line, fullback Nimantha Sandeepa spotted a gap in midfield and exploited it brilliantly. A sharp sidestep took him past the first defender before he powered over the line through sheer determination. Thenula Costa added the conversion to hand Isipathana the lead for the first time in the match. (IC 19 – 12 RC)
Royal’s disciplinary issues continued when Senuja Ranasinghe received their third yellow card for a head clash while attempting a tackle. Soon after, Royal were penalised for a dangerous tackle in the air, gifting Isipathana a five-metre lineout. Taking advantage of their extra numbers, the Green Machine launched a powerful maul. Royal managed to halt it just inches short of the line, but emerging Sri Lankan rugby talent Shaakib Zumri took matters into his own hands, stepping through the defence and diving over for a crucial try. The difficult conversion attempt narrowly missed. (IC 24 – 12 RC)
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Things went from bad to worse for Royal when Hiruka Jayaweera was yellow-carded for a dangerous tackle, reducing his side to 13 men. Isipathana immediately sought to exploit the two-man advantage by moving the ball from touchline to touchline. Tharuka Jayaweera produced a splendid break from the left flank, weaving through defenders with brilliant footwork and almost reaching the try line before finally being brought down.
From the ensuing phase, Isipathana skipper Shaakib Zumri powered over for a statement try, dragging several defenders with him. Nimantha Sandeepa added another excellent conversion to extend the lead. (IC 31 – 12 RC)
In the closing moments of the match, Isipathana’s loosehead prop was sent to the sin bin, but the late drama had little bearing on the outcome as the game was already beyond Royal’s reach. The Royalists mounted one final attack in search of a consolation try and a positive finish to the contest. However, Isipathana’s rock-solid defence remained unshaken, and the effort ultimately came to nothing.
While the first half was a tightly contested arm wrestle, the second half became a demonstration of the consequences of ill-discipline. Although Royal College showed flashes of the excellent rugby they are capable of producing, their progress was repeatedly undermined by a series of infringements. The referee had little choice but to issue yellow cards, with Royal ultimately receiving five in total—a statistic that played a major role in their downfall.
The victory carries significant weight for Isipathana, allowing them to reclaim the coveted Milroy Fernando Trophy. The win serves as a strong statement of intent in this year’s league campaign and provides a measure of redemption after last year’s heartbreaking three-point defeat to Royal. As the final whistle sounded, the scoreboard reflected Isipathana’s second-half dominance with a convincing 31-12 victory. For Royal, it was a match to forget, as ill-discipline transformed a potentially close contest into a one-sided affair, while Isipathana walked away with both the trophy and a valuable morale-boosting victory.
Full time: Isipathana College 31 (5T, 3C) – 12 (2T, 1C) Royal College
- Swisstek Perfect Player of the Match – Nimantha Sandeepa (Isipathana College)
Points Breakdown
Isipathana College, Colombo – 31
Newith Mewnaka 1T, Dilum Senadheera 1T, Shaakib Zumri 2T, Nimantha Sandeepa 1T, 2C, Thenula Costa 1C,
Royal College, Colombo – 12
Dinuka Perera 1T, Akira Yatawara 1T, Mohommad Mawsuf 1C,
Match Referee – Ishanka Abeykoon
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