Royal regain Gunaratne Trophy with 36-17 win

By Ranjan Anandappa

The Thomian's grasp on the Michael Gunaratne trophy for one year was regained by Royal when they beat their traditional rivals by 36 points ( 3 goals and 3 tries) to 17 ( 1 goal, 2 tries) in a Singer Under 20 school rugby second round match played at the Royal College Sports Complex yesterday.

The Mount Lavinia school who took the trophy last year after a lapse of eight years defeating Royal under lights at Havelock Park had to surrender the trophy as Royal completely outplayed the Thomians. The Royal sturdy set of forwards were the architects of the win as they rattled their opponents with their robust style of play.

Their stern set of forwards was spearheaded by Shahir Haniffa, Nadun Jayawardena, Supun Warnakulasuriya, Pasindu Perera, Nickil Gunadeera and Thivanka Perera having the better of exchanges. Royal skipper Nimshan Jayawardena was a source of inspiration with his daring advances supporting the forwards whenever required. On the other hand the Thomians heavily depended on their back line but they lacked the sharp penetrative qualities to pose any problems to their opponents.

The Thomians were awarded a penalty in the second minute of the game. But they were unable to convert it to points. The home team with their buzzling forward play opened scoring in the sixth minute off a second phase move try by skipper and full back Nimshan Jayawardene ansd failed to add the extra points.

The Thomians did not have to wait long for their trurn to cross the Royal goal line. Scrum half Asanka Ranasinghe who had a good match and looked the most impressiveof the Thomians touched down off a maul for an unconverted try.

The Thomians made some probing advances into the Royal territory, but lacked the finish as they dropped the ball and at times the line in a disarray.

Royal extended their lead by scoring two tries in succession through Nimshad Jayawardena who once again scored off a second phase move and made splendid conversion.

The Royalists extended the lead to 19-5 when hooker Supun Warnakulasuriya scored off a rolling maul, and Nimshan made no mistake with the conversion.

On the stroke of half time the Thomians reduced the deficit Naveen Henkankanamge scored by the corner flag and fly half Praveen Ferdinando made a fine conversion and the score read 19-12 at the breather.

Soon after half time Royal's speedy winger Daniel Gulasekeram dashed over 25 meters to fall over for an unconverted try to make it 24-12. A few minutes later Royal extended their lead when Gulasekaram scored his second try with Nimshan Jayawardena making a superb conversion to make it 31-12.

The Thomians hit back when strongly built Panduka Perera crashed through the Royal defence to fall over for an unconverted try. (31-17)

The Reid Avenue school went ahead further when prop forward Thivanka Perera touched down for an unconverted try to give Royal a grand 36-17 win.

A.C.Tennekoon refereed