Petes win a close battle over Royal 22-20

By Ranjan AMANDAPPA

RUGBY: Fancied St. Peter's were made to fight tooth and nail to maintain their unbeaten status when they beat Royal by 22 points (1 goal, 3 tries) to 20 (1 goal, 2 tries, and a penalty) in a Singer 'A' Division Inter School League Rugby match at the Royal College Sports Complex yesterday.

The Peterites led 15-8 at the breather.

The match swung furiously from side to side particularly in the second half with the Royal forwards giving a spectacular display as the Peterites were wilting under pressure.

The Royal forwards prop Yudith Karunaratne, hooker Adel Jabbar, flankers Shehan Pathirana, Shehan Dassanayake and No. 8 Lahiru Pavithra fought a lone battle with no support coming from the back division which was used only for defensive purposes.

In contrast the Peterites gave an allround display with their forwards and backs forming an effective combination as they displayed as to why they have been classed as favourites, till Royal sprang back with their forwards. If the Royal forwards looked spectacular driving into rucks and mauls, the Peterite three quarters were extremely dangerous whenever they were in possession centre Danushka Ranjan, Banuka Nanayakkara, Sandun Herath, gave the cutting edge for the Peterites with their penetrative runs.

In addition to Royal's pathetic back division, they also lack the services of a reliable place kicker. Royal's Jamaldeen earlier missed a penalty under the post, although firing over a difficult conversion which gave Royal a semblance of a chance of pulling off a sensational win. (20-22).

For the Peterites centre Danushka Ranjan scored thrice which Dulaj Perera adding the extra points once and Sandun Herath touched down once. For Royal Yudith Karunaratne, Faleel Mushin and Yasin Yusuf were the try scorers.

Dilroy Fernando refereed.