The group stage match between Royal College and D.S. Senanayake College took place at the Royal College Sports Complex on the 2nd of May. Royal staged an explosive performance in the second half to cruise to a well deserved 60-08 victory.
The first ten minutes of the game were dominated by the home team who kept the visitors on the back foot as they kept the Senanayakiens in their own half. Royal was awarded for their efforts when the visitors gave away a penalty at the break down. Nimshan Jayawardena did the honors for Royal as he slotted the ball through the posts to take Royal into 3-0 lead. (03-00)
Royal’s lead was short lived as the D.S Senanayake fly half Suraj Thilararatne struck back with a wonderful penalty that sailed through the uprights.
D.S continued to apply pressure on the Royalists who helped their opponent’s cause by playing careless rugby that witnessed many handling errors on the part of the home team. The Senanayakiyans picked away at the Royal defense and reaped the reward of their hard work through a lovely try that was scored by Mayon Jayawardene who slipped past the Royal defence to score on the right flank. Suraj Thilekeratne’s conversion was unsuccessful. (Royal 03 D.S- 08)
DS continued to play positive rugby however a slight lapse in concentration led to Royal College creating a wonderful try that was scored by the winger Bhanuka Gamage. The home teams line combined beautifully as they worked the ball to the left flank in order to unleash the dangerous winger who raced past the visiting defence to score a try that lifted the spirits of the home team as well as their supporters who had gathered in numbers to cheer their team. Royal failed to add the extras as Nimshan’s conversion sailed wide of the uprights.
Royal finished the first half on a positive note as they scored another wonderful try. The Royal forwards operated a pick and roll strategy as they created space for the line. The scrum half Gayal Jayasinghe noticed the space and worked the ball out to the center Umesh Madushanka who barged his way over the line to score his second try of the season. Nimshan added the final touches to the play as he converted successfully.
Half time score- Royal- 15 DS- 08
Royal dominated the second half if the game as they applied relentless pressure on the visiting team who succumbed to the attacking style of play that was utilized by the Royalists.
The first try of the second half was scored by the Royal captain Nimshan Jayawardena. The home team stretched the visitors to the left and then worked the ball quickly back on to the right which caught the D.S team off guard. Nimshan was on the receiving end of a beautiful pass that put him into yards of space that he exploited well in order to score. He went on to add the extra points through a easy conversion that took the Royalists into a strong position.
The second try of the half was scored by the Royal speedster Daniel Gulasekeram. The move was set up by Nimshan who danced his way through the stumbling DS defense. He was brought to ground however Royal support play was brilliant as the line worked it out to Daniel who scored his first try of the season. The conversion was missed. (Royal 27 DS 08)
Royal scored a third try through their center Akash Iddawela who was set up by his fellow center Umesh Madushanka. Akash’s try followed by Nimshan’s conversion took the Royalists into a 26 point lead. (Royal 34 DS 08)
Daniel’s second try was a product of a beautiful move that was initiated by the fly half K. Ashok. Ashok utilized a long skip pass to the left that reached the safe hands of Nimshan Jayawardena. He released the ball in seconds to Daniel who raced his way up the right flank to score a well deserved try for the Royalists. Nimshan’s conversion was unsuccessful as the scores stood at 39-08 in favor of the boys in blue and gold.
This was followed by two devastating tries that were scored by the burly prop Nikhil Gunadeera. The talented youngster used his immense strength together with brute force to get over the line twice in the space of five minutes in order to inflict further damage on the visiting team. Both of Nimshan’s conversions were successful. (Royal 53 DS 08.)
In the dying stages of the game Royal took another stab at the Senanayakien defense that witnessed the winger Daniel scoring his third try. Nimshan added the extra points as the final whistle blew spelling out a much needed and deserved win as far as the Royalists were concerned.
Final score- Royal 60 DS 08
ThePapare Player of the match- Daniel Gulasekeram
