Isipathana College took home the Major Milroy Fernando Trophy (18th) today amidst controversy with the match being called off with the scores at 27-20.
The Royalists were the favorites coming into the game, the opposition having had miserable luck during the season having only a solitary win to their name. Two sides searching for form was where the equation stood at the start of the whistle. If two feeble sides looking for form could make a good match this was set to be it, as the game was more than just a league match with the “Major Milroy Fernando Trophy” also being up for grabs.
The Havelock town school kicked the game off looking nothing like what they were in their previous outings having upped their game considerably. The Green Machine fired within the first 10 minutes of the game leathering in two tries. The first by P. Gunathilake who blasted his way through the Royal defense and the second from Uditha Premathilake with a lovely chip over the defense and chasing the ball down successfully. Hirantha Perera came good with both the penalties put the score at 14 nothing to Pathana.
The “Blue & Gold’s” known for their brand of patient play wiled their time and finally came through, as expected, through their forwards. The 8’s were painstakingly trying, giving it their all to breach the opposition defense only meters away from the goal line. Outstanding discipline by the Royal forwards kept them the possession and saw a try come through with Shuaib Jabbar being the carrier. Captain Rimze Jamaldeen having no problems with the conversion brought his team on to the board, 14-7.
Both sides consolidated in the second quarter of the game looking to penetrate and put the points on the board but the defense of both teams held stoically. Hirantha Perera and Rimze Jamaldeen both had their chances at penalties on the verge of the half and were successful, taking the score line to 17-10 at the half, visitors leading.
During the second quarter of the game the Royal coaching camp were seen to be up in arms at the referee’s bench, the complaint being the respective players being manhandled by the opposition. Play continued, though this was the beginning of the end.
Royal were on the board early in the second half courtesy of a Rimze Jamaldeen penalty (17-13) and took the lead in the game for the first time with Shuaib Jabbar once more coming into action, this time via a line out and push over try. The home side closed and overtook the deficit fast taking the score to 20-17, and had the momentum on their side with the main events of the day yet to unravel.
Pathana were not done yet as Hirantha Perera slotted a drop goal in from 25 meters out to bring the scores to a deadlock reading 20 all.
It was at this juncture that the home side chose walked away from the game in protests with accusations of being assaulted being leveled at the opposition. Should their charges be proven there is likely to be quite some inquiry into the matter as there were quite a few players taking to the injured list in the Royal camp some looking very worse for wear.
In a strange turn of events referee Pradeep Fernando deciding to play on as the Royalist’s were on the sideline and, understandably, it was a walk-away try for the Pathana camp which took the score to 27-20, as play finally stopped for the last time.
The pow-wow among the big-wigs went on on-field as the referee’s, coaches and staff took to finding a solution to the situation. Nevertheless the home team maintained their stance on their allegation and decided to call off the game with player safety being a concern, the Principal of Royal College Mr. Upali Gunasekera decided to award the Major Milroy Trophy to Isipathana College.
The Coaches of both sides looked like lightning and thunder over the row and were seen to exchange a few words as well, had their inputs in to the decision making desk and of course were not at all happy with regards to the turn of events.
Speaking to one of Sri Lanka’s leading referees, offering his insights, stated the scores would probably stand but if and when the allegations are proved then there is very likely to be a change in the status of the outcome given the circumstances.
The near future will prove to be interesting to watch as it is virtually certain both sides will be making their intentions clear to the Schools’ Rugby Union. ThePapare will be on the ball and keep you posted as the events unfold.
