The great comeback of the season by Royal, as Isipathana huff and puff in second half

The Great Comeback of the Season by Royal, as Isipathana Huff and Puff in the Second Half

Scrum and engage with SriLankaSports.com with Christopher Jordashe
Script by Brian Thomas | Edited by Christopher Jordashe

The Great Train Robbery was the story at Jurassic Park yesterday. After Royal trailed 24 points to 3 at lemons, it looked like the game was sealed—but Isipathana lost the loot in the last 5 minutes due to fatigue.

Defending against the marauding Royal forwards for over 20 minutes, and even being shoved off a rolling maul pushed almost 30 metres, drained the Green Machine’s energy. The end result? The great robbery of the season: 34 points to 31 in favour of Royal.
What a memorable game for Royal and its fans.

Isipathana 7 – Royal 0

The first 10 minutes of play saw Isipathana creating many opportunities but losing vital possession due to over-intent and blind enthusiasm.

The maul formed by Isipathana in the 10th minute finally paid dividends. It was clearly visible that the Royal defence was drifting under pressure. Inside centre Adithya Madushan gave Isipathana a 7-point lead with a converted try under the posts.

Isipathana 7 – Royal 3

The Royal line was tested to a great extent, with Isipathana’s defence spoiling their run-and-pass strategy. The Royal three-quarters started moving laterally, not even risking counter-attacks off recycled ball.

However, Isipathana, despite excellent defence, infringed as Royal entered their territory after 20 minutes. The Royal tee-off kicker then reduced the deficit with a penalty.

Isipathana 12 – Royal 3

It has been a while since we witnessed the classic Pathana brand of rugby. Royal’s defence, by spoiling an Isipathana move, forced a breakdown with the referee’s clock ticking 24 minutes. An aimless kick led to a brilliant counter-attack by Isipathana and a fantastic collection by full-back Costa, who broke the Royal defence for Nimantha Sandeepa to touch down at the corner flag. Isipathana extended their lead with an unconverted try.

Isipathana 17 – Royal 3

The Green Machine is known for their ability to counter-attack when opportunities present themselves. A goal-line drop-out went straight to Shahid Zumri, who did a “Zumri Special”, a show-and-go run, beating a vulnerable Royal line to score far left. The unconverted try gave Isipathana a 17-point lead with just 2 minutes to half-time.

Half-time: Isipathana 24 – Royal 3

What was Royal thinking at this stage? They overcooked the middle drop-out after the try and gave a loose-head to Isipathana at centre-field.

Isipathana entered Royal’s danger zone by forming a maul. Zumri was at his best with a pick-and-go rush, as the Isipathana forwards bulldozed their way through Royal’s defence for Kodithuwakku to touch down almost under the posts for a converted try.

Lemons were taken with Isipathana dominant: 24 points to 3 at the break.

Isipathana 24 – Royal 8

We don’t have first-hand information on what Dushantha Lewke told his boys during the lemons break. Just a guess: “Look, Isipathana are showing signs of fatigue, suck their energy, boys. Let’s give them a right Royal challenge and show heart in this final game.”

Isipathana 24 – Royal 8

Two minutes into the second half, Royal were seen attacking the Isipathana fringes. Fresh legs were on the pitch. It was Yuwan Pathirana who took over from Yoshitha Sithumina, the Royal ball carrier, sin-binned with a yellow card. He brushed past the Isipathana defence to score far left from a maul created off a breakdown. With an unconverted try, Royal were back in the game.

Isipathana 24 – Royal 15

The panic button was clearly evident in the Pathana defence. In the 42nd minute, after a high-tackle infringement, Royal gained territory for a 5-metre scrum. The three-quarters set things in motion as Samarasinghe, the Royal skipper, touched down for a converted try.

Isipathana 24 – Royal 22

Isipathana regained possession and territory in the 51st minute thanks to individual brilliance from Shahid Zumri. He set the three-quarters in motion and Isipathana extended their lead with a converted try.

Isipathana 31 – Royal 22

After the restart, Royal won a line-out inside the Isipathana half. It was appalling to note that none of the Isipathana heavy forwards joined to prevent the Royal driving maul from 30 metres out. Did they expect an inevitable three-quarter move from Royal and cover the line defence instead?

Royal’s main weapon, their forwards, paid dividends once again. They pushed the Isipathana defence and scored their traditional driving maul try with an unconverted effort. Isipathana still led, but by a slimmer margin.

Isipathana 31 – Royal 27

Isipathana’s forwards were clearly fatigued, their body language said it all. An aimless Royal kick brought dividends. Costa, the Isipathana full-back, collected a high ball and sent a blind forward pass, gifting Royal another scrum in close proximity to the whitewash.

Royal’s forwards won the scrum, and Isipathana’s lapse in concentration cost them dearly. A high tackle followed, and from the resulting penalty line-out, Royal earned a bonus try through a driving maul. The converted try from a difficult angle brought Royal within striking distance.

Royal win: 34 – 31

It was fantastic rugby from Royal in the final 5 minutes. They powered into the Green Machine’s backyard and used their mobile forwards against a fatigue-stricken Isipathana pack in a pick-and-go drive to touch down for the winning try, plus a final conversion at the stroke of the last bell.

The Great Train Robbery, to say the least. A fantastic comeback by Royal.

Tony’s Corner

What can I add, other than congratulating both teams for a blockbuster game?
I’m tongue-tied at the Royal recovery machine.