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| Sunday, 22 June 2003 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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Royal stop St. Anthony's-win 10/7 by SRIAN OBEYESEKERE When the Antonians looked set to deliver their second knockout punch in two weeks, Royal rose from the dead in the dying moments of the game. Wing three quarter, Lakshman Dissanayake, in the security of the Antonian try line by the right, ball in hand momentarily savoured the joy of the blazing trail he had left behind before touching down. And in its wake followed the deafening shouts of `ROYAL, ROYAL ..' as all that was Royal in that stadium complex in their home environs took over the jubilation as Duissanayake's try gave the home team the dicisive lead that had eluded them almost throughout. Eventually, Royal ran away winners 10 (2 tries) - 7 (a goal) in a contest onto which the maroon jersies from St. Anthony's College, Katugastota had latched into an early lead when Sumith Jagoda collected off an interception to touch down. Sumal Wijesinghe's conversion was on target for a lead on which the Antonians seemed content to hang onto as an insulation of carrying them home. Indeed, it was to be the undoing of a certainly firebrand outfit basking in the strength of a strong pack underscored by their triumph over giants Isipatana last week. Into the fray against Royal there were the hill country marauders ready to do it again. But perhaps lulled into the complacency of measuring victory from breaking the barriers of the Royalists early did not since stir their scoring mechanism into vibrancy. But keep at bay they did while Royal hurled everything at them as the home team to the dismaying screams of their supporters fluffed the ball a couple of times and missed a penalty in front of the Antonian goal post in the first half. Royal's first try eventually came through Varun Wijewardene who blitzed through the right corner to touch down in the 28th minute of the second half, but that place kicker, Baudeen's boots had lost its shine yesterday undewrote Royal's desperation as the scores read 7 - 5 in favour of the hill country lads. On striking the scoreboard, Royal soared on and on as St. Anthony's were pushed into a shell of almost total submission when came Dissanayake unconverted match sealing craftsmanship in signalling the rallying clout Royal has known to bask in as the band crashed to defening silence amidst the hoarse abouts of jubilant Royalists. |
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