|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 14 July 2002 |
 |
|
 |
Sports |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Royal smash Trinity 39/0 to take 'first leg' of Bradby by LAL GUNESEKERA It was like lambs being led to slaughter. True no person expected Trinity to win, but the way they capitulated was just pathetic. Royal as expected trounced the "Lions" by 39 points (3 goals, 3 tries, 1 penalty) to nil after leading 20-0 at half, time in the first leg of their Bradby Shield schools rugby match at the Royal College Sports Complex yesterday. Trinity had lost four consecutive games and one thought that they will offer better resistance after their 36-6 win over the Thomians. However, they failed miserably. The forwards did not rise to the occasion, while the outsides were guilty of poor tackling and not even attempting to run the ball when in possession. To add to their woes, right winger Leelaratne (who was reprimanded in the first session) and prop forward Naushan were sent into "Sin Bin" for unwarranted play. Royal's run of five wins in-a-row was disrupted when they were held to a draw by Isipatana. But yesterday's win over their traditional rivals was a sheer delight to watch. The forwards gave a superb account of themselves and the threes too ran the ball at every opportunity. Right winger Lakshman Dissanayake, younger son of the famous Lakdasa, the drop goal specialist who had a tragic and many years ago, showed good speed and centres Varun Wijewardene and Rajith Jayasundera, showed a quick pair of heels. Even full back Chamath Danawansa formed the over-lap for their extra punch in attack. Off the kick-off itself, Royal, went into the lead with a penalty put over by Danawansa. They stretched the lead when centre Jayasundera put the finishing touches to a move near the left corner flag. Danawansa failed with the conversion (Royal 8-0). This was in the seventh minute and three minutes later, right winger Dissanayake touched down far right. Danawansa again failed with the conversion (Royal 13-0). Then in the 23rd minute, Danawansa, forming the over-lap from a line-out on the left flank of Trinity "22" went over far right and this time made a peach of a conversion for Royal to lead 20-0 at half-time. After the "turn around", Danawansa, failed with a 35-metre penalty for Royal in the second minute, but 10 minutes later, off a ruck mid-field, Royal's centre Wijewardene gave an inside pass to Danawansa who sprinted over 20 metres to score under the posts and add the extra points himself (Royal 27-0). Five minutes later, centre Jayasundera made a 40-metre swerving run to score mid-right and Danawansa kicked correctly for Royal to lead 34-0. Trinity's Wasalathanthri got a simple 10 metre penalty, but kicked it astray in the 25th minute, and in the 28th minute, Danawansa kicked a grubber for Ishan Perera the fly-half to beat Trinity's defence and fall on the ball. Danawansa failed with the kick and Royal had won 39-0. Orville Fernando refereed. Before the game, both teams were introduced to the chief guest Maurice Anghie, Royal's captain of 1959, who later turned out with distinction as a centre for Havelocks and All Ceylon. Trinity won the under-17 game 5-0. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
