Royal in unimpressive 19/0 win

RUGBY - Royal scored an unimpressive 19 points (2 goals, 1 try) to nil win over Ananda in their schools under 20 'A' Division segment one match played at the Royal sports complex yesterday after leading 14-0 at the breather.

The Royalists won plenty of 'good ball' from the line outs and set scrums and fly half Naren Dhason set the three quarters in motion at every turn.

But the two centres were at the receiving end of some bone-crunching tackling by their opposite numbers which resulted in the two wingers being starved of possession.

They also lacked the services of a reliable place-kicker with full back Shailendra Chandrasekera missing a 'sitter' of a penalty and an easy conversion.

The Royalists opened scoring in the 15th minute when they won a scrum in mid field and fly half Naren Dhason set the three quarters in motion but their winger was tackled 15 metres away from the goal line but he managed to slip out a pass to Naren Dhason who was backing up and the latter crossed the goal line and ran round to touch down under the post. Full back Shailendra Chandrasekera added the extra points.

Seven minutes later Royal's fly half Neren Dhason kicked ahead followed it and picked up the ball on the follow through and when challenged he sent out a pass to winger Vinod Malwatte who sped over 20 metres to score mid right. Chandrasekera converted it but a few minutes later he missed a sitter of a penalty from 20 metres out and at 'lemons' Royal led 14-0.

In the 20th minute of the second half off a five metre short tap Royal's prop forward Nikira Senanayeke powered his way to touch down under the post but full back Shailendra Chandrasekera missed an easy conversion and Royal ran out winners by 19 points to nil.

Piyal Navaratne refereed