Royal College produced a brilliant team performance in the latter parts of the second half to outclass St.Anthony’s College, Katugasthota by 48 points to 35 in their final group fixture in the Singer A division schools rugby league worked off at the Royal sports complex.
Royal’s Janidu Dilshan got things underway but it was the visitors who dominated the early proceedings right from the kick off. St. Anthony’s used their bigger built players to good effect as they crashed through the gates of the Royal defence which struggled to get the one on one tackles right during the early passages of play. The Antonians went on to draw first blood in the 8th minute when hooker Pulasthi Dassanayake barged-in from close range to score under the posts. Full back Chamodh Wanasinghe who started in place of the injured Samuel Maduwantha put over the easy extras. (RC 00 – SACK 07)
The first 20 minutes of the game completely belonged to the Antonians who had Royal pinned inside their own half. But despite dominating possession and the territory, the visitors could not double their advantage despite coming close to doing so on a few occasions. Instead it was the famed Royal eight who got their act together and executed their deadly rolling maul in the 20th minute for which the Antonians stood no chance. Hamza Reeza had the honour of carrying the ball over the try line whilst full back Mohomed Shaqir added the extras. (RC 07 – SACK 07)
Five minutes later the Royalists took over the lead through a poacher’s effort from their nippy winger Sabith Feroze. A deep clearance kick was followed up well by Feroze who snatched the ball ahead of his opposition counterpart to touch down under the posts. Mohomed Shaqir put over the easy extras to give his team a 7 point lead. Both teams however were on level terms, and a few minutes later as St. Anthony’s center Jehan Seelagama capitalized on some poor passing by the Royal backs, pounced on a loose ball before shrugging off a few desperate Royal defenders to score under the posts. Winger M. Makkarim added the easy extras to level the scores. (RC 14 – SACK 14)
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Despite getting themselves back into the game St. Anthony’s however conceded another try within a couple of minutes of the restart as Royals center Janidu Dilshan ran through the Antonian defence to score beside the left corner flag. Shaqir’s conversion attempt smashed against the uprights as the teams went in the half time break.
HALF TIME: ROYAL 19 – ST.ANTHONY’S 14
Royal once again did not have the best of starts after the break as they conceded two quick tries in the opening 3 minutes. Center, Jehan Seelagama was the first to capitalise on some poor organisation in the Royal defence which failed to collect a box kick by the Antonian scrum half, as he powered his way for his 2nd try in the game and put his team back in the lead. Barely a minute later the visitors scored yet again and this time through their replacement winger Janidu Himsara who intercepted a wayward pass to sprint 40 yards for an under the posts try. Himsara who took on the kicking duties was on target with both the conversions (RC 19 – SACK 28)
Royal’s reply unlike the 1st half came in quick time with their forwards putting up phases together at pace. The St. Anthony’s defence just could not hold on as prop Ashen Fernando pushed his way from close range. Shaqir was once again on target with the conversion. (RC 26 – SACK 28)
The tries kept on coming as St. Anthony’s scored once again through flanker Sanesh Weerakoon who profited from a Sonny Bill Williams-style offload from his skipper Dinuk Amarasinghe. Janidu Himsara made a fine conversion from an acute angle as the scoreboard read 26 – 35 in favour of the visitors by the 50th minute.
From there onwards however the hosts took control of the game going on to dominate their opposition until the final whistle. Royal’s skipper Ovin Askey led the fight back scoring just besides the posts after some good work by his forwards. Shaqir added the easy extras and 5 minutes later he put over an easy 22 meter penalty as Royal regained the lead. (RC 36 – SACK 35).
Things only got worse for the visitors as a few minutes later as Royal’s Sabith Feroze got into the act weaving his way around the opposition defence beside the touch line to score a sensational try by the corner flag. Shaqir complimented his winger’s fine solo effort by putting over a fine conversion as Royal led 8 points just over ten minutes remaining. . (RC 43 – SACK 35).
Any hopes of an Antonian fight back were soon put to bed with the Royal forwards mauling their way through to the try line in the 75th minute. Hooker Hamza Reeza was once again the try scorer thanks to some fine work by his fellow forwards. The conversion attempt proved to be unsuccessful this time around but that was enough to see off the Antonians who slumped to their 4th defeat this season despite having one of the most experienced and physically imposing teams this season.
FULL TIME: ROYAL 48 – ST. ANTHONY’s 35
ThePapare.com Player of the match – Ovin Askey (Royal College)
Referee: Rohan Fernando
Royal College 48 (19)
Tries: Hamza Reeza (2), Sabith Feroze (2), Ovin Askey, Janidu Dilshan, Ashen Fernando
Conversions: Mohomed Shaqir (5)
Penalties: Mohomed Shaqir (1)St.Anthony’s College 35 (14)
Tries: Jehan Seelagama, Dinuk Amarasinghe, Pulasthi Dasanayake, Janidu Himsara, Sanesh Weerakoon
Conversions: Janidu Himsara (3), Chamod Wanasinghe (1), Mohomed Makkarim (1)
