Royal scores first win in Kandy

By Shamzeer Jaleel 

Royal College scored their first win in Kandy this season in their second attempt when they downed St. Anthony’s Katugastota by 26 points (4 tries, 3 conversions) to 13 points (1 try, 1 conversion, 2 penalties) to win their Singer League Under 20 rugby encounter which was worked off at the Bogambara Stadium yesterday. 

At “Lemons” the winners led 12/6. 

It was difficult ground conditions for both teams but the game was played at a good pace. Royal opted to use their heavy forwards and usual rolling maul to maximum use while the Antonians worked their speedy three quarter line. 

Royal hooker, Hisham Barie had a great game playing well in defence as well in attack. He split the Antonian defence on a number of occasions. For the Katugastota lads it was fly half Maduwantha who was in peak form with his boots gaining much needed territorial advantage through some fine touch kicks. But the Antonians failed to provide an answer for the rolling maul. 

Antonians though they tried several times to find holes in the Royal defence in the later half, were unsuccessful. Winger Wickramarachchi who scored their only try hardly touched the ball in the second half not giving him an opportunity to have a go at the Royal try line. 

Antonians scored first in the 15th minute through fly half Maduwantha whose penalty also added another similar penalty three minutes later. Royal scored in the 23rd minute of the game when Hooker Barie split the Antonians defense for a touchdown.  Barie scored his second try through a forwards rush shortly before half time with Askey accurate with the kick to take half time at 12/6 favouring Royal. 

After the turn around skipper Niklia Gunadheera, and Hamza Reeza scored the tries for the Reid Avenue school. Askey converted both of them while for the Antonians Winger Wickramarachchi scored their only try with Maduwantha adding the extra two points.