Janidu Dilshan (middle) was the highlight in the Royal lineup winning ThePapare Player of the Match title
The defending champions amassed 8 tries in their 2nd week of the Singer Schools’ Rugby League 2018 against St. Anthony’s College as they registered their 2nd win of the season by 55 points to 13 at Nittawela.
It was Royal College who started off the scoring. Dulan Goonawardane bisected the uprights from 30m out. It was followed up by an easy try by skipper Sabith Feroze. Anthonians had to commit players to the ruck which opened up the corner for Feroz to easily run over. (RC 10 – SACK 0)
Anthonians failed to keep possession of the ball as Royal struck once again and this time it was a classic Royal try. Line out inside 22m, opting for their signature rolling maul and there was no stopping them. It was Chamod Kaushalya who carried the ball over. (RC 15- SACK 0)
Anthonians had their best passage of play leading towards the half time when they managed to score 13 points inside 10 minutes. Mohommed Makareem opened the score sheet for the hosts with a penalty which was followed by a counter attacking try by skipper Kavinda Abeykoon. The ball was inside their own half with the Royalists but they managed to turn over possession and carried the ball to other end. The Royalists were caught napping when Amarakoon spotted a huge gap right through the middle to score under the post. (RC 15 – SACK 10)
At the brink of half time, Makareem added three more points to draw back the deficit to just 2 points.
Halftime: Royal College 15 – St. Anthony’s College 13
The hosts were the first to get to the field as the momentum was on their side but it did not last long as Royal came out in a demolition mode. Janidu Dilshan opened up the scoring in the second half. It was identical to their 1st try of the match. Anthonians defence was stuck in the middle trying to hold off the forwards which allowed Feroz and Janidu to work the ball out wide and touch down. Dulan once again was successful with the conversion. (RC 22 – SACK 13)
Royal took control of the game and the tries piled up. Skipper Sabith Feroz went over for his 2nd of the game and he was shortly followed by Samadhi Induwara, who broke through to secure the bonus point. (RC 36 – SACK 13)
The big forward Thulaib Hassen was the next to cross over the touch line when he burst through the defences after taking the ball from the ruck from 10m out. Few moments later Janidu Dilshan crossed over for his 2nd for the day. It looked too easy for him as he shoved off the final defender and touched down. (RC 48 – SACK 13)
In the dying moments of the game Royal College hooker Chamod Kaushalya spotted a gap and completed his double to take the score over 50 points for Royal. 2nd half replacement Maleesha Perera converted to add two more points to their tally.
Overall it was a brilliant 70 minutes of Rugby by the defending champions. The thirst for points and the fact that they were able to keep the intensity until the final minute is what has them as strong contenders for the title this year too.
Full Time: Royal College 55(8T, 6C, 1P) – St. Anthony’s College 13(1T, 1C 2P)
ThePapare.com’s Playerof the Match: Janidu Dilshan(RC)
Points scorers for Royal: tries from Janidu Dilshan(2), Sabith Feroz(2), Chamod Kaushalya(2), Thulaib Hassen(1) and Samadhi Indhuwara(1), conversions from Dulan Goonwardane(5) and Maleesha Perera(1), Penalty from Dulan Goonawardane(1)
Points scorers for St. Anthony’s: try Kavinda Abeykoon(1), conversion by Mohommad Makareem(1) and penalty by Mohommad Makareem(1)
