Royal in easy 18-5 win over Peterites
By Ranjan Anandappa
Motivated by a powerful forwards display , Royal completely outplayed
St.Peter's to record a comprehensive 18 points (three tries and a
penalty) to 5 (one try) win in a Singer Under 20 second round match and
take the B.C. Anghie Challenge Trophy at the Royal College Sports
Complex grounds yesterday.
The winners led 8-0 at the breather. The Royal forwards Thivanka
Perera, Zaheer Haniffa, Supun Warnakulasuriya, Shaukat Laheer, Nadun
Gunawardena and Keshan Pieris played as one strong unit to rattle the
Peterites.They dominated play right from the start of the match and the
Peterites were only able to form a tight defence to prevent their
opponents going on the rampage. In the first session of play the home
team dominated in no uncertain terms but were unable to convert the good
work done by their energetic forwards due to some bone- jarring tackling
by the Peterites.
For Royal skipper Nimshan Jayawardena opened scoring by firing over a
penalty in the 21 minute. But the hosts scored their first try off a
maul close to the Peterite territory when hooker Supun Warnakulasuriya
fell over for an unconverted try.
In the 11th minute of the second half Royal extended their lead by
scoring another try off a three quarter move through centre Bhanuka
Gamage. Then minutes later Royal's Supun Warnakulasuriya touched down
for the second time off a typical forwards play off a rolling maul.
Nimshan Jayawardena who earlier put over a penalty was unable to add the
extra points missing all three conversions.
During the latter part of the match the Peterites made a desperate
attempt the to reduce the deficit, but the Royal forwards and back
division stood firm and stalled any scoring opportunities. Finally with
ten minutes to go the Peterites scored an unconverted consolation try
through their speedy winger Kevin Dickson to make the final tally 18-5.
Soon after the match Royal skipper Nimshan Jayawardena received the
B.C.Anghie trophy from former Royal ruggerite Ken Balendra.
Referee. Dinka Peiris
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