Antonians dump Royal

St. Anthony’s Katugastota coasted to an easy 26 points (3 goals and 1 try) to 12 (1 goal and 1 try) victory over Royal in their Singer Division one game at Nittawela yesterday.

The first half was a sizzler, but the second failed to maintain the same tempo. Royal attacked from the kick off, but the Antonian defence held firm and it was the home team which scored first. Centre Waligampola ran across and switched an inside for Rankoth to touch down. Wijesiri made no mistake with the conversion. Royal hit back almost immediately with a push over try by Number Eight Bilal Hassen.Unfortunately Royal looked vulnerable and they were missing numerous first time tackles. The home side capitalized with Hassen’s opposite number Sashika Jayawardena crossing the line to give the boys from Kandy a seven point lead at lemons.

In the second half it was the home side that clearly had the edge. Antonian centre Amila Weligampola intercepted a pass and ran nearly half a length of the pitch for an easy try. Wijesiri added the extra points.

Hassen got his second try of the game when he picked up the loose ball close to the line and went over. Duminda Attygala converted to reduce the Antonian lead to just one converted try. Antonian flanker Mohomad Irfan scored off a move that started with skipper Rankoth, and Wijesiri did the honours. Royal piled on the pressure with the final whistle looming, but could not breach the Antonian defence.