Royal retain Michael Gunaratne Trophy, beat Thomians 52-0

by Sajeewa Jayakody

Royal retrain the Michael Gunaratne Challenge Trophy in a ‘Right Royal’ Fashion when they defeated their traditional rivals S Thomas’ College Mount Lavinia by the biggest ever margin of 52 points (six goals, two tries) to nil in their 53rd annual rugby encounter played at Havelock Park, Colombo yesterday after leading 24-nil at half time.

The Royalists went on the rampage as the Thomians were rattled and had no chance what so ever to come back.

The Reid Avenue School’s strong set of forwards combined well with their back division and scored in rapid succession.

In the seventh minute of the match, Royal opened scoring off a maul when winger AS de Silva touched down near the left post and full back Ovin Askey missed conversion.

Royal increased their lead in the 17th minute, when winger MS Feroze scampered through for a try close to the left corner flag but full back Ovin Askey made no mistake with the kick when he put over from 40 metres.

The Thomians defence was in disarray.

They lacked the cohesion and dropped the ball at crucial moments which the Royalists capitalized to the maximum.

Royal kept on invading the Thomians territory and scored once again when skipper Bhanuka Gamage collected a pass and dashed to score and Askey fired across to add the extra points.

The strength of the Royal forwards were clearly seen when Supun Warnakulasuriya scored off a push over try which was unconverted at the stroke of half time.

Royal scored through their forwards when Supun Warnakulasuriya once again crossed the Thomian line off a maul. Askey, put over the conversion to make it 31-0.

Royal continued their scoring spree adding 21 points when Shawqat Lahir, Bhanuka Gamage and Supun Warnakulasuriya beating the fragile Thomian defence.

Ovin Askey who, was in good kicking form converted the last three tries to make the final tally of 52-nil in favour of the Reid Avenue school.

Referee: Aruna Rankothge