Royal College started its 2011 rugby campaign with two un-impressive yet hard fought wins against St. Joseph’s College & Wesley College Respectively. The worry for the Royal camp would be that despite winning they allowed their opponents to score more try than them. It was the accurate kicking of Royal Fly half Jamaldeen which saved the day for Royal on both occasions. The Royal forwards were a treat to watch as they execute the customary rolling maul time & time again to perfection gaining ground .How ever the defensive strategies have much to be improved as it is shown time and time again the vulnerability of Royal to open running rugby.

Royal vs SJC RC- 38(3G,1T,4P) SJC-31(3G, 2T)

Royal vs Wesley RC-33 (3G, 1DG, 3P) –WC-32 ((3G,1T,2P)

Royal Continue to Live Dangerously.

Royal won the Major Milroy Fernando trophy by edging out Isipathana with a wafer thin margin of 1 point.

The much awaited clash for the Maj. Milroy Fernando trophy between Royal and Isipathana got underway at the Royal College Sports Complex in front of a packed stadium on Saturday the 30th of April.

Isipathana who were the pre match favorites started off well dominating the game and virtually camping in the Royal half and midway in the first half were rewarded when their wing three quarter crossed the Royal Line with a classic three quarter move but the try went unconverted. Royal when ever they got to issipatha half managed to capitalize on the the mistakes of issipatha players and managed to put over a penalty courtesy of the boot of Arshad jamaldeen .

Half time scores Royal 03 –Isipathana 05

Resumption of play saw Jamaldeen obliging with another penalty for Royalists to take the lead for the first time . Mid way in the second half Royal Captain chasing a chip kick by Jamaldeen crossed the Isipathana line by the left corner flag .The conversion was missed by jamaldeen.

Mid way in the second half an attempt by the Royal line to work the line from their own 22 back fired when a bad pass which was not collected properly by one of the Royal center gave the issipatha full back to collect the ball and go over the Royal try line .This try too went unconverted.

In General Royal had a very good game in defence and managed to keep the fast running three quarters of Isipathana in check with some very good cover tackles by the Royal Third Row and royal full back was in outstanding form and foiled every move which managed to creep through the defence of the three quarter line.

With minutes ticking a way an unfortunate incident took place when the play was held up due to a section of the crowd throwing stones at the Royal College team. This was brought under control and resumption of play saw Isipathana launching attack after attack on the Royal line in a do or die effort and finally were rewarded when a penalty was awarded 35 meters on the right flank in the Royal half .How ever to the dismay of the Isipathana supporters the kick at goal lacked direction and referee blew the long whistle.

Full time Score Royal 11( 1 T, 2P) Isipathana 10 ( 2T)