Isipathana and Royal two teams who began the Singer inter-school rugby league season with losses in the first round games last week will no doubt be looking forward for their first win. The two teams clash in a second round match of the Division 1A category at Longdon Place today with the kick off set for 4.45 p.m.
Apart from the official schools rugby league encounter, the two teams will also battle for the Milroy Fernando memorial trophy which is on offer. Isipathana are the holders of the trophy by virtue of their 22-7 win in 2006. The clash did not take place last year as the two schools were engaged in a legal battle in courts.
The Havelock Park boys came in with big expectations in the first encounter against Trinity but the loss of three of their top players cost them dearly. They were nowhere near the way they played in the first two tournaments of the season when they clinched two sevens titles.
A repeat performance of the first game could spell trouble for them again. Of course the Isipathanians led by Sri Lanka youth player Dinusha Chaturanga would have remedied their mistakes in preparation for this vital game. The skipper too lacked the kicking ability which was visible when he fluffed an easy conversion and some penalties.
The Royalists led by centre Sumindra Lenaduwa who possesses six other senior players including Sri Lanka youth player and number eight Bilal Hassan will be coming into the game to redeem their lost prestige.
Their surprise loss to Kingswood in the first game according to reports state that they lacked the finishing touches and it took them as much as 25 minutes into the second half to score.
They will be looking forward to their playmaker Hassan to lead from the front and the other senior players to achieve their goal.
Apart from the official schools rugby league encounter, the two teams will also battle for the Milroy Fernando memorial trophy which is on offer. Isipathana are the holders of the trophy by virtue of their 22-7 win in 2006. The clash did not take place last year as the two schools were engaged in a legal battle in courts.
The Havelock Park boys came in with big expectations in the first encounter against Trinity but the loss of three of their top players cost them dearly. They were nowhere near the way they played in the first two tournaments of the season when they clinched two sevens titles.
A repeat performance of the first game could spell trouble for them again. Of course the Isipathanians led by Sri Lanka youth player Dinusha Chaturanga would have remedied their mistakes in preparation for this vital game. The skipper too lacked the kicking ability which was visible when he fluffed an easy conversion and some penalties.
The Royalists led by centre Sumindra Lenaduwa who possesses six other senior players including Sri Lanka youth player and number eight Bilal Hassan will be coming into the game to redeem their lost prestige.
Their surprise loss to Kingswood in the first game according to reports state that they lacked the finishing touches and it took them as much as 25 minutes into the second half to score.
They will be looking forward to their playmaker Hassan to lead from the front and the other senior players to achieve their goal.
