In what was arguably the most enthralling league match of the season, Isipathana College, known as the Green Machine narrowly defeated last year’s runner-up Royal College 19-18 in their second round Dialog Trophy inter school league rugby contest at Havelock Park yesterday as police were also summoned in following crowd trouble.
In the process Isipathana also reclaimed the Major Milroy Fernando Memorial Trophy after leading 3-0 at half time amid a packed crowd that witnessed some of the most dramatic moments of play this season.
Isipathana accumulated their 19 points through one goal, one try and four penalties while Royal managed one goal, one try and two penalties.
Royal’s Buwaneka Senanayake received a yellow card in the 20th minute setting the stage for a tense battle and Isipathana drew first blood in the 23rd minute with a 25-meter penalty kick.
Shortly after, in the 24th minute, Isipathana’s Kavisha Tharusha was yellow carded for an illegal tackle and referee Ishanka Abeykoon’s ruling meant both teams were reduced to 14 players each.
The second half began with Isipathana extending their lead to 6-0 in the 39th minute, thanks to a penalty kick by fullback Shahid Zumri. But Royal responded swiftly in the 43rd minute when fullback Nabeel Yahiya slotted in a five-meter penalty narrowing the gap to 6-3.
Isipathana continued to assert their dominance, with Zumri landing another penalty in the 46th minute, pushing the lead to 9-3. However, Royal’s prop forward Thineth Gamage brought his team back into the game with a try in the 47th minute, though the missed conversion left Isipathana still ahead by 9-8.
Royal took the lead for the first time in the match in the 50th minute, with Idris Farouk successfully converting a penalty to make it 11-9. But Isipathana quickly responded with a try from the magical Zumri and fly-half Avishka Hiran added the extra points bringing the score to 16-11 in favor of Isipathana.
Royal fought back yet again in the 63rd minute with Afif Farouk touching down after a well won scrum. With Farouk’s conversion, Royal regained the lead at 18-16.
As the clock ticked by Isipathana won a crucial penalty, but Zumri’s miss in the 69th minute kept Royal in the lead. The match was briefly halted when unruly spectators threw objects onto the field, prompting the Police Riot Squad to enter the ground.
With one minute left in the match, play resumed after a five-minute break and the tension was obvious.
After some foul-play on the part of Royal, referee Abeykoon referred the decision to the TMO for a TV review and a penalty was awarded to Isipathana with just seconds remaining.
Zumri, who had already contributed 14 of Isipathana’s 16 points, calmly slotted in the decisive kick for a win by a single point 19-18 sparking jubilant celebrations among their supporters.
The match officials under police protection were safely escorted off the field after the final whistle.
