Another brilliant show from the Royal forwards saw them ending the league with a thrilling victory by 29 points to 22 over Science College at Havelocks grounds.
The battle for the third place was unraveled today and it certainly lived up-to the expectation. Both Science and Royal lost their last weeks fixtures which put them on equal points leading into this week. The two teams with contrasting strategies which made this battle all the more competitive and intriguing.
Royal kicked things off. Five minutes into the game Royal drew first blood through an unconverted try. Ashok Wijekumar kicked deep into Science half and Science conceded a penalty inside their 40m. Royal took line and out pushed themselves over the line using their big forwards. Asmeer Fajudeen was the ball carrier. Ovin missed out on the conversion. ( RC 5 – SC 00 )
It was tit for tat in the first half. Science bounced back with a pretty similar try and it was KP Thathsara who went over the line. ( RC 5 – SC 05 )
Royals strategy of using the rolling maul helped them to control the match right through out. There second try came through another rolling maul from a line out. Asmeer Fajudeen took the credit for the try but it was a combined effort of the forwards which made it possible. Conversion was yet again unsuccessfully by Ovin. ( RC 10 – SC 5 )
Science then stepped up their game running the ball wide making the game wide open. Thanuja Maduranga spotted a gap and ran all the way to level the scores. It was a bad day for both the kickers as they missed quite bit of points from the boot. ( RC 10 – SC 10 )
At the stroke of half time, Royal bounced back with a converted try and once again they used their forward to push themselves over the line from 22m line out. That was the hatrick for Azmeer Fajudeen. ( RC 17 – SC 10 )
Half time : Royal College 17 – Science College 10
Royal showed more conserved and disciplined rugby in the second half but it was Science who leveled the scores with a converted try. Science was given space to work the ball and do what they do the best and they pounced on it. Hashan Madumadawa who missed out on a few conversion made amends with brilliant try. ( RC 17 – SC 17 )
Photo Album – Science College vs Royal College – Schools Rugby 2016
Royal’s skipper Nikila Gunadeera was sent to the naughty chair for holding the ball which put the Royalist under a bit of pressure but they did not panic. A few moments later, Science was also down to 14 men when Udesh Madusanka was sin binned for off side play.
Royal forwards dominated the second half and they used the rolling maul once again to the score the fourth try for the day. Once again it was Azmeer who got his name on the scorecard. ( RC 22 – SC 17 )
Royal was once again down to 14 men when Ashok Wijekumar was given a yellow card for a dangerous tackle. Science could not capitalize on the advantage but it was Royal who sealed their victory with a converted try by Azmeer Fajudeen, his fifth for the day. ( RC 29 – SC 17 )
The last five minutes of the game was tense. Science brought back the deficit for just 7 points after a try from Thanuja Maduranga. They maintained possession through out the dying moments of the match but ultimately time ran out. Royal deserving winners due to their perfectly organized and strategic Rugby.
Full Time : Royal College 29 – Science College 22
ThePapare.com’ Player of the match : Ashok Wijekumar ( Royal College )
Royal College : 29 points
Azmeer Fajudeen 5T, Ovin Askey 2C
Science College : 22 points
KP Thathsara 1T, Thanuja Maduranga 2T, Hashan Madumadawa 1T, 1C
