In a match that had everything—intensity, physicality, and sheer determination—Royal College turned the tide from a seemingly insurmountable deficit in front of an ecstatic home crowd at Reid Avenue.
The green machine of Isipathana College kicked off proceedings in this highly anticipated clash. The opening exchanges were a tense back-and-forth battle in the midfield, with both sides testing each other’s defenses. Isipathana’s attacking play looked promising, spearheaded by the dynamic Avishka Hiran, but the Royalists defensive line held firm in the opening 10 minutes.
A crucial penalty came Isipathana’s way after a Royal player failed to support his body weight at the breakdown. Hiran’s precision kick to touch set up a lineout just 5 meters from the try line. From the set piece, the visitors launched a rolling maul, but the Tuskers’ defense stood strong. Breaking away from the maul, Kaveen Jayasinghe came within inches of the line before Shakeeb Zumri drove closer, paving the way for Aditya Madushan to power over under the posts for the game’s first try. Hiran added the extras with ease. (RC 00 – 07 IC)
Royal’s restart went straight into touch outside the 22, gifting possession back to the visitors. However, a turnover from the ensuing play allowed the home side to mount an attack in Isipathana’s red zone, only for a resolute defensive effort to force them out of play.
The visitors soon regained momentum, but an offside infringement from Madushan allowed Mohammed Simak to put Royal on the scoreboard with a well-struck penalty from 25 meters. (RC 03 – 07 IC)
Isipathana responded with relentless pressure, eventually breaching the defense when Yuvindu Kodithuwakku sliced through the line to set up Nimantha Sandeepa for the second try. The conversion drifted wide. (RC 03 – 12 IC)
The Green Machine looked to extend their lead with a front peel from a lineout, but Shakeeb Zumri spilled the ball over the try line under heavy contact. Moments later, however, playing under penalty advantage, Isipathana produced a slick combination of forwards and backs, finishing with Zumri scoring in the corner. Hiran missed the conversion, and shortly after, Royal’s Sithumina was shown a yellow card for a late charge. (RC 03 – 17 IC)
With Royal down to 14 men, Isipathana pushed for more before halftime. After multiple phases deep in Royal territory, Kodithuwakku struck again, this time finishing in the corner. Hiran converted to cap off a dominant first half for the visitors.
Halftime: Royal College 03 – Isipathana College 24
Facing a 21-point deficit, Royal College began the second half with urgency. Regaining possession from the kickoff, Yuwan Pathirana ignited the attack with a dazzling break. Isipathana’s offside infringement gave Royal a short tap opportunity, and after a series of pick-and-go drives, Disas Pathirana crashed over for their first try. The conversion was unsuccessful. (RC 08 – 24 IC)
Pathirana continued to inspire, booting Royal deep into Isipathana’s half from another penalty. Though the visitors stole the lineout, Royal soon regained possession and set up a rolling maul, with skipper Amika Samarasinghe finishing in the corner. Simak converted brilliantly from the sideline. (RC 15 – 24 IC)
Isipathana answered quickly, as Nevith Mivunaka powered over after a quick tap from close range, Hiran adding the extras. (RC 15 – 31 IC)
Royal refused to back down. A well-executed maul from a lineout saw Imthisal Nazeer cross for their third try, though the conversion went astray. (RC 20 – 31 IC)
With time running out, Royal’s forwards took charge. Another punishing maul was halted just short, but after repeated infringements from Isipathana, Yoshitha Sithumina darted over. Simak converted, reducing the deficit to just four points with five minutes left. (RC 27 – 31 IC)
In the dying minutes, Royal earned a scrum 30 meters out. Disas Pathirana broke powerfully from the base, surging into the 22. A high tackle from the visitors gifted the Tuskers a penalty 5 meters out. Disas tapped quickly, was stopped just short, but Sithumina was on hand again to dive over for the decisive score. Pathirana converted, sealing one of the greatest comebacks in recent memory. ( RC 34 – 31 IC )
In a match that had everything—intensity, physicality, and sheer determination—Royal College turned the tide from a seemingly insurmountable deficit to regain the Major Milroy Trophy in front of an ecstatic home crowd at Reid Avenue.
Full-Time: Royal College 34 – Isipathana College 31
- Swisstek Perfect Player of the Match : Yoshitha Sithumina (RC)
Points Breakdown:
Royal College
- Mohammed Simak 1P, 2C (7)
- Disas Pathirana 1T (5)
- Amika Samarasinghe 1T (5)
- Imthisal Mazeer 1T (5)
- Yoshitha Sithumina 2T (10)
- Yuwan Pathirana 1C (2)
- Isipathana College
- Adithya Madushan 1T (5)
- Avishka Hiran 2C (4)
- Nimantha Sandeepa 1T (5)
- Shakeeb Zumri 1T (5)
- Nevith Mivunaka 1T (5)
