ISIPATHANA PREVAIL OVER ROYAL TO QUALIFY FOR FINAL

Defending champions Isipathana prevailed against Royal by 24 points to 17 in the second semi-final of the Dialog Schools Knockout Rugby tournament played at the Sugathadasa Stadium to advance to the final. This is the 29th occasion that Isipathana is qualifying for the schools' knout tournament since it began way back in 1978.

- By M.SHAMILAMIT

Isipathana meant business in the first half as they dominated proceedings to end with a healthy 21-5 at the breather and accumulated their points through three goals and a penalty to a goal and two tries scored by Royal.

However, the first 12 minutes saw the two sides sharing honours, but from there on, Isipathana took control of the game when they posted three tries within the space of ten minutes, with No 8 Shaahid Zumri going over for the first try in the 12th minute and then second row Nevith Meunaka going over for back-to-back tries in the 16th and 22nd minutes, with fullback Nimantha Sandeepa booting over the three conversions, seeing them go into the lead 21-0.