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Regain Major Milroy Fernando memorial trophy after 6 years
Second half rally sees Patana through
By Shamseer Jaleel
Isipathana proved that their last weeks win over Trinity was no fake when they edged out Royal by 8 points (1 try, 1 penalty) to 6 points (2 penalties) at the Royal Sports Complex yesterday. It was Royal who led at half time with the score reading 6-3.

Royal played better rugby in the initial half moving their three quarters intelligently. Their mobile forwards were fast and omnipresent. They rattled Isipathana with their furious tackling. And they also completely dominated the rucks, scrums and line outs.

Royal looked dangerous in attack, splitting the Isipathana three quarters on a number of occasions but sadly lacked finesse. They missed an early penalty when Chammika Sandaruwan missed a sitter in front of the posts. Sandaruwan made amends three minutes later when he was on target with a 25 metre penalty to take a 3-0 lead. The lead was short lived as the Royal line was caught off side in the 14h minute. Full back Mohamed Nizar was target for Isipatana to equal the scores. But Royal hit back in the 22nd minute through another simple penalty by Chammika Sandaruwan to take the short breather at 6-3 in Royal’s favour.

Isipathana came with a vengeance in the second half as they decided to move the ball through their three quarters. It was winger Kasun Gamage who gave Isipathana their moment of the day when he split the Royal defense with a fine run down the left flank to put them ahead at 8-6. Isipathana could have increased their lead if not for poor goal kicking by full back Mohamed Nizar who missed two more penalties in the 18th and 24 th minutes of the game.
With this win Isipathana regained the Major Milroy Fernando Memorial trophy after 6 years and lead the tally with 8 wins to Royal’s 6.There were no fixtures played in 1991, 1994 and 1995.

Referee Priyantha Gunaratne
The Under 18 game ended in a nil all draw.
Royal will take on St Peter’s next Saturday at Bambalapitiya.

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