Royal in hard fought win over St. Peter’s
Royal gained some respite after their Bradby setback when they earned a hard fought 18 (1 penalty, three tries) to 5 (1 try) win over St. Peter’s in the Singer Under-20 League rugby game at the Royal Sports Complex yesterday.
It is a try. Royal’a Bhanuka Gamage goes over for a try far left. – Pic by Ranjith Perera
At the breather Royal led 8-0.
Royal had all the opportunities of doubling this score but somehow they fumbled at crucial moments. St. Peter’s on the other hand remained pinned to their territory for a major part of the game but whenever they managed to break free of the Royal manacles they posed a major threat to the Reid Avenue lads.
Royal had to rely on their skipper and full back Nimshan Jayawardena to put the first points on the board when he put over a penalty. Fighting every inch of the way Royal scored their first try when second rower Supun Warnakulasuriya barged over far right in the 36th minute. The conversion went awry and Royal led 8-0. St. Peter’s attacked next but they did not possess the willpower or the ability to pierce the Royal defence up to the short whistle.
The Peterites bothered the Royalists after the re-start but once again they lacked the will and skill to get past Royal defence. Royal scored again when center Bhanuka Gamage went over for an unconverted try far left and the home lads led by 13 points to none.
Royal continued to harass the Peterites and after a prolonged attack winger Supun Warnakulasuriya scored the third try far left, but that too went unconverted — Royal led 18-0.
With about ten minutes to go for the final whistle St. Peter’s had their consolation when winger Keith Dixon scored far left to cut down their deficit. Royal 18. St. Peter’s 5.
Mr. Dinka Pieris refereed.
Earlier in the Under 16 game Royal beat St. Peter’s 12-0 with skipper Nikhil de Silva converting a goal and scoring a try as well.
Royal will play Kingswood next week and will take on S. Thomas’ the week after.