St Anthony’s college took on the more fancied Royal College from Colombo at Bomgambara this evening dishing out a superior performance to bring home victory in nail biting game of the School rugby league.
A wet day in Kandy dictated that this was never going to be the most free flowing of the Inter-schools rugby league games. Both teams forced to field in a motive to retain victory and to promote their position in the table.
Right from the start of play, the Royalist dominated their territory but was hard to break the heavy Antonian defense. In the 5th minute the Royal scrum was penalized and as a result Antonian fly half FazlurFazeer made a kick to land above the half line mark for touch. Afterwards Antonians came up with some great strategy. In the 9th minute Royal defense was penalized, thus Antonians gained an opportunity to add points on the board but the kicker was well wide.
With the line out won, Antonian scrum half Dulaj Jayathissa brushed through the Royal defense and made an outstanding try under the post. Sajith Hemantha landed the conversion successfully. Sequentially, Fazlur made a football try working with his boots from his own half and Sajith made no mistake with his conversion.
In reply and to settle the visitors nerves in the 27th minute the Royal pack shoved along 15 meters and the hooker H.A.S Jabbar touched down for a try but Rimze Jamaldeen missed the conversion. The former Antonian skipper Panduka Angammana was then sent off to the sin bin awarding a yellow card for his misbehavior on the field.
In the 36th minute, the Antonian fly half Fazlur drove two defenders and made a clean pass to the full back Sajith Hemantha to cross the line for a try which he himself converted successfully. At the brink of the first half, the Royal skipper Ramzi clipped a penalty over the bar to leave a 13 points margin.
Half time: SACK 21 – RC 8
The home side consolidated their winning positions early in the second half in devastating fashion.
The 48th minute swa Royal defense gave away a penalty and St. Anthony’s being presented an opportunity to kick at goal. Sajith Hemantha who was kicking with some great authority slotted it over successfully. Bruising tackles were displayed by both sides evenly in the second half. Royal was penalized yet again and Sajith got an opportunity to add more points but his kick went a stray.
Royal came back strong in the 70th minute, with some excellent workings. Udesh Ranaweera dashed over the line leaving the Antonians no chance of catching him this time. The skipper made no mistakes in converting it to a goal.
By the 74th minute the game grew steaming hot with the Royal inside center Azmaan collecting a perfect pass and diving over for a try and the kicker Rimze Jamaldeen converting successfully to narrow the margin to just two points.
The game ended with a close margin win for St. Anthony’s. Though the overcast conditions made an effect to the field it wasn’t a matter for rugby. The game between the oldest school in Colombo and the oldest school in Kandy was concluded with a clear winner and with some great rugby.
Full time : SACK 24 – RC 22
