Royal Under-16 sweeps through to win league rugby crown
View(s):The Royal Under-16 ruggerites continued with their winning streak during the knockout stage of the All-Island Schools Rugby Sectors ‘blended’ tournament conducted by the Sri Lanka School Rugby Football Association, after they completed the league sector by winning all games. This follows the winning run of this same combination in the last year’s Under-14 Knockout Tournament in Kandy.
Champions of tomorrow: Victorious Royal Under-16s with the League Trophy and medals
In a scrappy semi-final, St. Anthony’s College Katugastota fought all the way, gaining equal possession of the ball. In the 2nd half, playmaker and fly half Lennox Calyanaratne wriggled his way through to score the winning try, for Royal’s hard fought 5-0 win.
Referee – Priya Suranga.
In the finals against traditional rivals Trinity College, Royal obtained greater share of the ball. Their forwards executed the rolling scrummaging and rolling maul to near perfection gaining inroads into the opposition territory from defensive positions. Trinity countered in the first half with their hard running back division but the Royal defence tackled resolutely to break the moves close to the touchline.
Royal dominated the 2nd half with a wave of successful moves with forwards linking up with the three quarters to hold the ball inside the opponents ‘22’ looking for a break.
Royal beat Bradby rivals Trinity in the final
The opportunity came when the defence opened up for a moment and Royal scored through 2nd inside Ifham Fareed who completed the move to score under the post while Maleesha Madumewan added the extra points to give Royal a well-deserved 7-0 win and the championship. The game was refereed by Pradeep Fernando.
Action next moves to Bogambara on August 22 and 23, as the knockout sector of the All-Island Schools Rugby Tournament is scheduled as the finale to an exciting Under-16 rugby season. The schools association must be congratulated for providing budding young players will-be stars of the future adequate opportunities to horn their skills.
Royal Under-16 team: Nikhil de Silva (Captain) Sabith Feroze (V. Captain), Nuwan Jayawardane, Anujaya Ranawake, Banuja Samaranayake, Lahin Attigalle, Sasitha Siyath, Samadhi Induwara, Maleesha Madumewan, Ibrahim Barrie, Lennox Calyanaratne, Dulan Gunawardane, Thulaib Hassen, Ifam Farried, Deshan Perera, Thejan Wijesundara, Pavidara Nanayakara, Sulaiman Mohomed, Shimalka Mendis, Samal Agalawatte, Kalana Thilakaratne, Yasis Rashmika, Mubeen Faleed, Sanjula Seneviratne, Induwara Bimsara. Coaches: Asanga Rodrigo and Alfred Hensman.