Royal College Colombo wrecked havoc against Zahira College in their own hunting ground to thump the latter by 65-14 to keep their titles charge on course.
The game kicked off in horrid conditions as early showers made sure the ground conditions weren’t at it’s best for a game of rugby.
Royal College however dominated from the onset as it took them only a matter of minutes to get into their stride. A trademark Royal maul demolished the Zahirian defence as Royal College’s top scorer this season Hamza Reeza crossed the whitewash with ease. Shaqir Nawfer couldn’t add extra points in the sluggish conditions. (RC 5 – 0 ZC)
Zahira College had no answers for the Royal College offense as they shifted through gears. Zahira kept on conceding penalties at pivotal points of the playing field.
The Reid Avenue lads were clinical in capitalizing on their opportunities as the rolling maul once again was at it’s destructive best. Royal number 8 Lennox Calyaneratne snuck in from the blindside to score the second try of the game. Shaqir found his kicking range as Royal College adding two more to the score line. (RC 12 – 0 ZC)
It wasn’t much later that the next line out turned into a rolling maul as Hamza Reeza once again bullied his way past a hapless Zahira College defence to put some daylight between the teams. The conversion however wasn’t successful and the score line remained the same. (RC 17 – 0 ZC)
Things turned from bad to worse as Zahira were numerically crippled for the remainder of the half as A. Haaziq was given his marching orders for continuous infringements.
Royal College needed no second invitation to maximize on the opening as Hamza Reeza completed a well deserved hat-trick as the driving Royal showed no remorse to a resource less Zahira College defence. Nikhil George was summoned for kicking duties however Royal fortunes with the boot remained the same. (RC 22 – 0 ZC)
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Royal’s Mr. Consistent Janidu Dilshan was the next to get onto the scoresheet as he showed shades of his scintillating pace and power as he mauled through the Zahira defensive line. Shaqir Nawfer resumed kicking duties once again and this time he managed to get his trajectory on target. (RC 27 – 0 ZC)
Zaid Sinhawansa who missed last week’s clash due to illness was introduced soon after by Zahira College as Royal College crossed the whitewash for the 5th time.
However, it made little difference to the proceedings as Royal breached a hampered Zahira defence one last time before lemons through Thulaib Hassen after a crafty move by Ovin Askey. Shaqir once again missed out on the additional points as the referee’s whistle sent both teams into the break. (RC 32 – 0 ZC)
Half Time – Royal College 32 (6T 1C) – 0 Zahira College
Royal kicked matters off in the second half as the rains ceased momentarily at Maradana. Despite the change in weather Zahira College’s fortunes remained the same as Thulaib Hassen once again clattered through the Zahira College defence to open the account for Royal in the second half. Shaqir got off to a good start himself adding the extra points with the boot. (RC 39 – 0 ZC)
Notwithstanding the early set back Zahira College finally had something to cheer about when Mohammed Minhaj broke through the Royal defence to eventually offload to an on rushing A.R. Booso for a comfortable try under the woodwork. Sinhawansa hardly broke a sweat as he added two more with his boot. (RC 39 – 07 ZC)
Royal College were in a spot of bother soon after as they lost a player due to an unnecessary challenge as Himantha Hirushan and was shown the bin.
With their tails up,Zahira College kept probing at the Royal defence with venom. However, a lapse in concentration proved crucial as Pasindu Fernando intercepted a loose pass to put on an electrifying break to score a wonderful individual try to counter punch Zahira College. Shaqir made sure to add the extras as the Blue and Gold were approaching the half century mark. (RC 46 – 07 ZC)
Soon the game was back on level terms in respects to the number of players on field as T.H.Safu was sent to the bin for his continuous illegal challenges.
Hamza Reeza went onto score an outstanding 4th try for the evening as he yet again manhandled the Zahira defence on his way forward across the white line. The conversion was no good despite the Royalists crossing the 50 point landmark. (RC 51 – 07 ZC)
Royal were merciless in their onslaught as yet another break away resulted in Royal inflicting more pain on their hosts. Janidu Dishan powered his way through to offload to Pasindu Fernando who strolled over the white line carrying the Royalists further. Shaqir did the honours with the boot once again taking Royal surely out of reach at this point of time. (RC 58 – 07 ZC)
Indiscipline hampered Zahira College once again as yet another yellow was seen by Zahira College adding insult to injury as Mohammed Deen was shown his way to the bin for a cynical tackle on his opponent. Royal College pounced on Zahira as they did all evening when Rasanja Amarasingha scored coming off the bench. Maleesha Perera took up kicking duties and left no margin for error adding points to the Royal tally. (RC 65 – 07 ZC)
Zahira College managed a mere consolation at the dying minutes of the game when skipper T.S.Amath jumped over the try line for the lads from Maradana. The convention marked the end of a demolition job by the Royalists who kept striving with momentum aiming for another league title. (RC 65 – 14 ZC)
Hamza Reeza with his outstanding 4 tires was the pick of the Royal College players who seemed to be on song and in sync heading into the business end of the season.
Full Time – Royal College 65 (11T 5C) – Zahira College 14 (2T 2C)
ThePapare.com Player of the match – Hamza Reeza (Royal College)
Try scorers:
Royal College – Hamza Reeza (4T), Lennox Calyaneratne (1T), Janidu Dilshan (1T), Thulaib Hassen (2T), Pasindu Fernando (2T), Rasanja Amarasinghe (1T).
Zahira College – A.R.A. Booso (1T), T.S.Amath (1T)
Conversions
Royal College – Shaqir Nawfer (4C), Maleesha Perera (1C)
Zahira College – Zaid Sinhawansa (1C), M.A.F. Muban (1C).
