Royal in 25-12 win over Antonians

RUGBY: Royal propelled by their power-packed forwards scored a smashing 25 points (5 tries) to 12 (one goal, one try) win over St. Anthony’s College, Kandy in their Singer League Schools Under-20 Segment ‘A’ Rugby match played at Royal Sports Complex yesterday after leading 10-5 at the breather.

Royal opened scoring early in the game through a try by winger Suvinda Lenaduwa who scored by the corner flag. Duminda Attygalle missed the conversion. Fifteen minutes later Royal increased their lead through another unconverted try by full-back Mushin Arif.

The Antonians fought back and reduced the deficit on the stroke of half-time through a try by winger Chanaka Guneratne. Imad Reyal missed the conversion and Royal led 10-5 at the breather. In the 10th minute of the second half the lads from Reid Avenue increased their lead when No. 8 Bilal Hassan powered his way to touch down mid-left off a five metre scrum.

Duminda Attygalle missed the easy conversion. The Antonians stormed back and in the 22nd minute winger Chanaka Guneratne dashed through 30-metres and ran round to score under the posts. Imad Reyal added the extra points to make it 15-12. The Royalists went on the offensive and breached the Antonian defence when off another five-metres scrum flanker Hasthika Bandaranayake crashed through for a try mid-left.

Duminda Attygalle once again missed the conversion and Royal led 20-12. Just before the final whistle Sri Lanka youth player Bilal Hassan who had an excellent game, broke away from a maul 30-metres away from the Antonian goal line and powered his way to fall over for glorious try near the posts.

Duminda Attygalle who gave a pathetic display of place kicking missed the conversion and Royal ran out worthy winners by 25 points to 12.

Referee Irshad Cader.