The much anticipated Royal Rugby season kicked off at the CR&FC grounds on the 23rd of March 2014, with Royal displaying classy rugby in terms of defense and attack. However it was clear that luck was definitely not on our side as it can be attributed to the scoring opportunities which were not capitalized.

The CR&FC grounds was packed as it should be on the eve of a rugby match between Royal College and Isipathana College. The first half of the game saw Isipathana College capitalizing on an opportunity and scoring a try within 5 minutes of the kick off, which put them in front by 5 points, due to the conversion not being successful.

Royal immediately bounced back with a try through the wing three quarter, Banuka Gamage, which put both teams on equal terms. conversion was unsuccessful.

Isipathana College was quick to respond by scoring a try through one of their prop forwards which ticked the scoreboard in favour of Isipathana College, where it read 10-05 to Isipathana.

Royal was thereafter, awarded a penalty which was successfully converted by skipper and fullback Nimshan Jayawardena, which then reduced the margin to 2 points.Scoreboard read 10 – 08 in favour of Isipathana.

Much to the delight of all Royal fans, Royal was awarded another penalty and it was successfully converted by Skipper Nimshan Jayawardena, which put Royal in the lead at the half time break. At half time, scoreboard read 11 – 10 in favour of Royal.

The second half commenced with Royal kicking off and getting awarded yet another penalty which was once again converted by Nimshan which put Royal 4 points in front of Isipathana.

Royal was looking confident and was going strong, until the referee decided to repeatedly yellow card  both prop forwards and the hooker of Royal, which in effect, eliminated the power of the front row of the forwards.

Isipathana capitalized on this weakness and thereafter, scored a try which put them in front by one point. Scoreboard read 15-14 in favour of Isipathana.

Thereafter Royal struggled to get ahead, but was unfortunately not able to score, with one try opportunity and two penalty opportunities not being successful.

Full time whistle was blown, with Isipathana College winning the game by one point, with the scoreboard on 15 – 14.

The game which was concluded was surely a sign of a promising and exciting season for the Royalists’, as the quality of Rugby played was exceptional. With a hint of luck for the Royalists, it can be safely said that the season will be a good one for the Royalists.

Isipathana College win the Milroy Fernando Trophy for the year 2014.