Another exciting game of rugby is predicted to be dished out at the Royal College Sports Complex this Saturday (27th June) when the frontrunners to the league title, Royal College take on a talented and unpredictable outfit of Isipathanians.
The two teams will be contending for the Milroy Fernando memorial trophy.
Match facts
Date: 27th June
Venue: Royal College sports complex
Kickoff: 04:30pm
Big Picture
The outcome of this game, like many other games of high quality rugby we have seen throughout the season, will be a tough one to predict. Royal College, coming in as favorites to this game will be looking to take this game as seriously as last week’s encounter as the Isipathanians have earned an unendorsed title of being the Dark Horse or Wild Card of the ongoing season. Many might look forward to this encounter as both teams have managed to defeat the mighty Kingswoodians in their respective encounters against the boys from Kandy. The high quality of rugby dished out by these two great institutions throughout the years makes this a spectacle that could compete with the standards of an international game.
For the Isipathanians, the Royal encounter is one of the most important games of the season. Throughout encounters in the recent past, the Isipathanians have approached this game with a fierce determination to overcome the Royalists and it has been so for the most part of the last decade as we have seen games that have left many spectators at the edge of their seats. The Isipathanians have traditionally approached this game with a killer focus and we can expect nothing less for this clash as the boys from Greenland Avenue led by Niroshan Chathuranga will undoubtedly put their bodies on the line to regain the coveted trophy. After last week’s defeat to Trinity, the green shirts will be looking to make amends and show their supporters that the Isipathana rugby machine is far from the realm of mediocrity.
The Royalists on the other hand, have a reputation to maintain, and judging by their impressive victory over the Kingswoodians last week, they certainly look up to the challenge stepping onto the plate to withstand a potent attack from the toughest of oppositions. Naren Dhason’s side has been unbeaten this year and look like the favorites to stake claim to the league title and they have come too far and have worked too hard to let it slip away.
The Royal forwards have been outstanding this season, and their play in this game will be a decisive factor in the outcome of the game. Although the Royal eight have an upper hand over the Isipathana forwards in weight and reputation, the Isipathana eight pose a major threat to the Royal forwards at the line out, which will be a vital part the game as the Isipathanians have employed deep, penetrating kicks in their strategy throughout the season and seem to be very comfortable and extremely threatening at the line out. Isipathana coach Shamlee Nawaz is sure to have made a note about the weakness of the Royalists at the line outs and will be looking to expose it right from the beginning. The charismatic flanker for the green shirts, Saranga Uthpala, who has been tremendous force in the Isipathana outfit, will have to work hard to hold the Royal Number Eight Hamza Hassen, who has been in outstanding form this season, at bay. The Royal third row has worked wonders throughout this season and will face stiff opposition from the Isipathanians.
The contest between the three quarters will be the most interesting aspect of the game as both teams boast of talented players that have made headlines this season. The Royal threes have simply outclassed much of their preceding opposition but will encounter an intimidating challenge from the Isipathana line. Royal’s captain and Fly Half Naren Dhason has been having a glorious season thus far and will be eagerly anticipating a challenge in his opposite number Niroshan Chathuranga, who has also been tagged as one of the players to watch this season. The reliable Royal fullback Shabeer Mohamed will have to be alert as the Isipathanians put their kicking game into effect as speedster Vishwamithra Jayasinghe will be looking to pounce on a loose ball to use his blistering pace to score for the greens. Isipathana Fullback Devinda Prasad has been in top form this season and will make a huge difference in play when he joins the line to run the ball and make the most of his boot.
Spectators can expect to see a fierce battle against these two institutions at the Royal College Sports Complex on Saturday. The outcome of this encounter will most probably decide the winner of the league title and both Royalist and Isipathanian rugby supporters alike will be able to witness a dynamite game prior to the conclusion of the season.
www.thepapare.com
Written by Yasas Ratnayake
Friday, 26 June 2009 12:32
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