Royal came out all guns blazing in the second half as they over turned a two point deficit at lemons to win against a resurgent Wesley College set up by a score line of 35 (5T 5C) – 19 (2T 3P) in the Singer School’s under 19 Cup Segment tie worked off at the Royal Complex.

The game kicked off in a rather scrappy manner as both teams couldn’t keep a hold of possession with some loose handling. Sensing the opportunity Wesley opted to aim for the wood in the first penalty they received when Avishka Lee pierced the upright with ease. (RC 0 – 3 WC)

Royal were rattled by their own inability to maintain possession conceding quite a few casual penalties. Wesley capitalized once again as Avishka Lee found his range as he put some day light between the teams. (RC 0 – 6 WC)

Despite the early setback Royal woke up to the challenge although Wesley managed to stop them in their tracks. However, Royal got back into the game in typical style with a trademark rolling maul as league top scorer Hamza Reeza crossed over the white wash for the 12th time this season. Shaqir Nawfer, with minimum effort added the extra points to give the Reid Avenue lads the lead for the first time in the game. (RC 7 – 6 WC)

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The nerves didn’t seem to have settled for the hosts and the errors kept creeping into play. Wesley kept probing at the Royal defence which seemed unsettled and Avishka Lee along with Murshid Zubair went deep into enemy territory with their boot. One such move proved costly for Royal just prior to half time as yet another handling error resulted in Avishka Lee swinging his boot to perfection.(RC 7 – 9 WC)

The visitors walked into the hut during half time with a well-earned two point advantage over their fellow title contenders. Royal College’s ever consistent Janidu Dilshan seemed off colour in the first essay which was a cause for concern leading up to a crucial 40 minutes of rugby.

Half Time – Royal College 7 (1T 1C) – Wesley College 9 (3P)

After a quick regroup during half time the Royalists came back roaring into the second half as they drew first blood with yet another bullish maul as substitute Nikil De Silva rounded off the move. Shaqir held his own with the boots as Royal once again regained the lead. (RC 14 – 9 WC)

Despite missing out on a penalty conversion Royal kept pestering the Wesley defence which seemed to be running out of steam. Wesley provided one of the most crucial points of the game, as a loose pass resulted in Janidu Dilshan picking the ball up and running through for a marauding try from his defensive half to send the Royal faithful into ecstasy. Shaqir once again was pin point in accuracy adding two more with his boot. (RC 21 – 9 WC)

Royal left no room for respite as they kept building on their momentum and Induwara Karunaratne found his way through the Wesley defence as the Royal maul seemed unstoppable. Shaqir maintained his accuracy with the boot adding two more to the tally. (RC 28 – 9 WC)

The game turned on it’s head once again as Wesley finally managed to breach the dogged Royal defence and they used their wide men to perfection and crossed the whitewash through Asanka Harshana. Avishka Lee didn’t find his range on this occasion as Wesley had to settle for the five points. (RC 28 – 14 WC)

Wesley with their tails up once again ran at the Royal defence with venom. With the Wesley line in full flight, Dayan Sabar finished the move off as he crossed the white line sending a cat amongst the pigeons. Lee once again did have enough power to pierce the woodwork. (RC 28 – 19)

The crowds were on the edge of their seats with a nail biting last ten minutes lined up ahead. Royal once again as they’ve done all season held their nerve when it mattered as they maintained good possession during a few phases of play. Hamza Reeza once again did what he does best as he crossed the whitemark for one last time for the game. Shaqir rounded things off with the conversion as Royal remain in title contention at the expense of Wesley College. (RC 35 – 19 WC)

Royal College set up a date with arch rivals and the only remaining title contender Trinity College at Pallekele next week at the final week of this year’s League which incidentally is the all-important first leg of the Bradby Shield.

Full Time – Royal College 35 (5T 5C) – 19 (2T 3P) Wesley College

ThePapare.com player of the match – Ovin Askey (Royal College)

Speaking to ThePapare.com post match the coach of Royal College Sanath Martis

Try Scorer

Royal College – Hamza Reeza (2T), Janidu Dilshan (1T), Induwara Karunaratne (1T), Nikil De Silva (1T)

Wesley College – Asanka Harshana (1T), Dayan Saba (1T)

Conversions 

Royal College – Shaqir Nawfer (5C)

Penalties

Wesley College – Avishka Lee (3P)

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