With the President’s Trophy Tournament concluding in its entirety on the 13th of July 2014, The gathering saw Royal coming close to yet another remarkable victory, however it was not to be as Royal fell short by 05 points, with the scoreboard reading 27 – 22 in favour of Isipathana College at the end of the game, which was followed by Isipathana College being crowned the champions for the year 2014.

The game, once kicked off by Royal, was evenly contested with an equal number of opportunities and mistakes being available and made by both teams, until Isipathana College broke the ice through their wing three quarter, which went unconverted and saw the scoreboard reading 05 – 00 in favour of the visitors, to which Royal promptly responded by converting an awarded penalty kick which reduced the margin to 02 points with the scores on 05 – 03.

The Number 08 of the visiting side managed to score their next try, extending their lead with the scoreboard reading 12- 03, due to the conversion being successful, and Royal once again managed to reduce the deficit promptly, through Flanker Shawket Lahir. The conversion was unsuccessful, and the scoreboard read 12 – 08 in favour of Isipathana College at half time.

With Isipathana College commencing the second half, Skipper Nimshan Jayawardena managed to showcase his talent and pierce through the line of defense and score right under the post, which he was able to convert with ease, which put Royal in the lead for the first time with the scores on 15 – 12.

However, Isipathana College managed to get back on terms and back into the lead, with a penalty and an unconverted try in quick succession, which brought the scoreline to 20 – 15 in favour of the visiting side.

Amidst the excitement on the grounds, the referee awarded a yellow card to the Isipathana College wing three quarter (14) after which , Royal managed to score through Hooker Supun Warnakulasooriya off a brilliantly executed rolling maul. The score after the conversion was 22 – 20 in favour of Royal.

However, the 02 point lead was short lived, as Isipathana College managed to score through the forwards in the dying stages of the game, which saw the score extending to 27 – 22 in favour of Isipathana College.

As Royal were attempting ploy after ploy, the time was unfortunately over as the Visiting crowd roared in cheer, where Nimshan and the boys were consoled by the home crowd as they thanked the team for an eventful season. Full time score : 27 – 22 in favour of Isipathana College, as they were crowned champions while Royal were awarded the Runners Up position.

As Rugby for the year 2014 comes to a close, we bid farewell to Nimshan Jayawardena and his team, and we thank them for a season of mixed emotions and thrilling encounters which will stay etched in the memories of many a Royalist.

“In the true sporting traditions of our beloved Alma Mater, we wish our Royal Team to play up, and play the game, in the noble tradition that, It is not who won or lost, but how we played the game. : Disce Aut Discede”

 

 

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