Royal College continued their unbeaten run for the 2015 season beating Dharmaraja College 17-05 in their Singer Division I segment league encounter which was held at the Bogambara Stadium last evening.
The Royalists playing their first game away from home territory had an edge over their counterparts who were yet to record a win this season and were struggling to get points on board. Royal being tested in new playing conditions up in the hill capital fared beyond par working as a unit.
Royal drew first blood with their big made center Bhanuka’s criss cross running and side stepping abilities as he scored on the far right. Flyhalf for Royal for the game, Subasinghe was spot on in getting the 44m conversion right to send his team 7 points up. (7-0)
Veeran Weerasekara’s Dharmaraja side’s reply came right away as their fast moving wing three quarter K.P. Hurigolla chipped the ball over the last defender, sprinted through to the try line to place the ball just before it rolled out. The conversion being missed still allowed Royal to sit on the lead comfortably. (7-5)
The rest of the 1st half seemed to be a mixed affair as the hosts knowing the capabilities of the Royal forward mauls defended their line preventing any further increment in the scoreboard till half time. There was positive rugby played by the Rajan forwards preventing the Royal pack from scoring on two occasions.
Half Time 7-5
An evenly poised game shifted gears right away from the restart as the visitors started pushing their limits. As the Blue and Golds utilized their weight to their advantage with their burly forwards, it was lock forward Madushan who crossed over for the second try for the Royalists just leftward to the kicking posts. Subasinghe made no error in the conversion and Royal College looked a bit relieved with a 9 point lead (14-5).
Dharmaraja’s efforts to equalize the score proved to be futile as they failed to connect their execution through. With the visitors sending another through the posts when Dharmaraja was penalized for an infringement off the boots of Subasinghe, time proved to be a factor for the hosts to stage a possible comeback hence giving the lads from Reid Avenue the victory.
Royal College gets themselves another win as they will face S.Thomas’ College in two weeks’ time as the rugby league will take a break for the festive season.
Full Time 17-5
