Royal retain Anghie trophy, beat Peterites 33-24
Royal staged a spectacular display of rugby when they came from
behind to beat St.Peters by 33 points (5 Tries, 4 Conversions) To 24 (4
tries, 2 conversions) to retain the B.C.Anghie trophy in their Singer
inter school ‘A’ Division league rugby tournament second round match at
the Royal Sports complex grounds at Reid Avenue yesterday.
St, Peters led 19-12 at half time.
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Royal Scrum half and vice captain Ashok Wijekumar on his way
for a try (Pic: By Sulochana Gamage) |
The match got off to a rousing start with both teams battling it out
for supremacy where the Peterites drew first blood in the 9th minute of
play off a turn over ball to work their line where centre cum captain
Sandesh Jayawickrama gave a timely pass to full back Diyath Fernando who
side stepped his way beautifully and went over for a superb try mid
right . Fly half Steven Sivaraj made the conversion to go in to a 7 nil
lead.
In the 16th minute of play off a loose ball full back Diyath Fernando
darted down for a brilliant try under the post covering nearly 90
meters. Sivaraj made the conversion to extend their lead to 14 nil.
Peterites further increased their lead in the 18th minute off a
sweeping rolling maul by prop forward Rahal Delpachithra who crashed
through for a sensational try near the left corner flag Sivaraj missed
the conversion but went in to a healthy 19 nil lead.
In the 26th minute Royal reduced the lead off a rolling maul with
their third choice hooker Hamza Barrie touching down for a try which
full back Ovin Askey missed the conversion. The scores St.Peters 19 to
Royal’s 5.
Just on the stroke of half time Royal scored again through a rolling
maul which they are so good at and Askey made no mistake with the
conversion. 19-12.
Soon after resumption Royal struck again off a rolling maul as their
scrum half Ashok Wijeykumar dummied his way for a try and Askey added
the extra points to level the score 19 all.
In the 56th minute Royal barged their way through their heavy set of
forwards as their captain cum number eight Nikila Gunadheersa forced his
way for a try. Askey made the difficult conversion. Royal were 26-19 .
Peterites cut down the lead in the 64th minute when Narendra Perera
crashed through for a try and Sivaraj missed the conversion to take the
score to 26-24.
Meanwhile the Peterite full back Diyath Fernando and captain Sandesh
Jayawickrama were given marching orders for infringements.
Royal there after virtually sealed the match in their favour during
injury time when fly half Lenox Calyanarathne scampered through for a
try under the post, which Askey made the conversion to take the final
score to a remarkable 33-24 in the end.
(WAI) |
