Thomians regain Gunaratne Trophy with 29-20 win over Royal

By Ranjan Anandappa

S.Thomas' College regained the Michael Gunaratne memorial trophy after eight years when they defeated Royal College by 29 points ( three goals, one try ,one penalty ) to 20 (one penalty goal, two tries, one penalty) in their annual rugby match played under lights at Havelock Park yesterday, after leading 22 -8 at the breather.

Thomians opened scoring in the fifth minute when skipper and play maker Devin Jayasinghe scored by the corner flag but failed with the conversion. Royal reduced the deficit with an easy 20 meter penalty by skipper Rimzi Jamaldeen .

The Thomians increased the lead off a counter attack when winger Reza Ibrahim crashed through for a try under the post. Devin Jayasinghe added the extra points, having knocked over a 35 meter penalty and the score read 15-3 in favour of S.Thomas'.

The lads from Mount Lavinia forged ahead further when lanky winger Nayanesh Jeerasinghe powered his way to score mid right and Devin Jayasinghe was on the spot with the kick and the score read 22-3.

Royal once again came back fighting when winger Nimshan Jayawardena scored by the corner flag .Rimzi Jamaldeen failed with the conversion.

The robust set of Royal forwards kept on attacking but were unable to penetrate the Thomians defence and the score read 22-8 at lemons.

Royal came back strongly after resumption when hooker Shuaib Jabbar powered his way to score mid left, but Jamaldeen fluffed the kick and the score read 22-13.

They kept on attacking and referee Irshad Cader awarded a penalty try for scrum collapasing and Rimzi Jamaldeen converted and the game was heading for a thriller with the score reading 22-20, but the Thomians put the issue beyond doubt when lanky winger Nayanesh Jeerasinghe put the finishing touches to a three quarter move by diving over by the corner flag. Devin Jayasinghe made a spectacular conversion and the Thomians emerged worthy winners by 29 points 20 much to the joy of ending an eight year wait and the Michael Gunaratne trophy for the eighteenth time in the fifty one year old series.