Royal's Maleesha Perera (R) tries to break off the Zahira defender
Royal College secured an easy victory over Zahira College, in the first week of the Singer Schools’ Rugby League- Second Round as the scores read 41 points to 05 in favour of the home team at the Royal Complex, earlier today.
It was a gloomy evening in Colombo as Zahira fly-half, Rahuman Booso, kick-started the game. Without wasting much time, the Royalists countered and found themselves inside opposition territory, and they made it count.
Royal’s strong Centre, Thulaib Hassen played a brilliant game, opening the scoring in the 3rd minute after forcing his way over the whitewash; Hassan touched down in the far corner, Maleesha Perera added the extras. Zahira had the opportunity to get early points on board, but unforced errors let them down. Failing to find touch and not slotting in the three-pointers cost them dearly. (RC 07 – 00 ZC)
Seven minutes after the first try, Kevin Samarasekara went over for Royal’s second after taking a quick penalty inside the Zahirian 5-meter line and barging forward, Maleesha Perera once again made no mistake with the extras. (RC 14 – 00 ZC)
Royal College vs Zahira College
As the first half neared its end, Royal seemed to be on their way to a big total. Maleesha Perera contributed with a try this time, which was followed by one from Mubeen Faleel and Centre Thulaib Hassen’s second, securing Royal’s bonus point. However, Maleesha only managed to kick one of the three conversions through the uprights.
Zahira hit back in the 25th minute, when prop forward Shameem Nassar crashed his way through to the line after finishing an excellent passage of play by the visitors.
Half-time: RC 31 – 05 ZC
The second-half was a much closer affair as the visitors made Royal work hard to get inside their half. As momentum kept switching, Royal finally got their breakthrough in the 55th minute of the game when Himantha Hirushan, the power-packed prop, dove over the whitewash to seal the deal for the hosts. Maleesha failed to add the extras. (RC 36 – 05 ZC)
In the dying minutes of the game, Royal were looking to add insult to injury for the Zahirians – and were successful when the Centre Thulaib Hassen scored his hat-trick in the 67th minute as he fended and bounced off the exhausted Zahira tacklers. As Maleesha’s kick drifted away from the posts, Referee Priya Suranga blew the final whistle, confirming yet another Royal victory.
Full Time : Royal College 41 (7T, 3C) beat – 05 Zahira College (1T)
ThePapare.com’s Player of the Match: Himantha Hirushan (RC)
Points Breakdown – RC
Tries : Thulaib Hassen (3), Kevin Samarasekara, Maleesha Perera, Himatha Hirushan, Mubeen Faleel
Conversions : Maleesha Perera 3
Bookings : Banuja Samaranayake
Points Breakdown – ZC
Tries : Shameem Nassar
Bookings : Muammar Deen
