Oh! So close
Roistering, ruthless Royal succeeded in edging out Trinity by the barest minimum in a match that did justice to some of the finest games seen in the 71st year old series. In doing so, Royal broke the Pallekelle Hoodoo’ and this should serve them well when it comes to the return leg. Royal gained their points from a goal, two tries and two penalties as against Trinity’s two goals, a try and a penalty.
It was expected to be close and so it proved. Royal’s forwards were expected to dominate but significantly they did not score a single try. Royal dominated the opening twenty minutes or so but it was Trinity who made use of the god given opportunities to touchdown twice.The Royalists did not utilise an early opportunity to get on the board when a player dropped the ball and was unable to press it down.
Trinity scored in the 14th minute when the ball tipped the fingers of the last Royalist in the line out and went into the hands of their scrum half Anuk Boyagoda. This bit of good fortune was capitalised by Suranga Gunatilleke who added the extra points.Royal kept attacking relentlessly and surprised one and all by their attacking play. On a couple of occasions they had to defend furiously when the Trinitians indulged in break-away moves.
Askey opened Royal’s account by converting the easiest of penalties (7-3). Trinity was a trifle unlucky in that penalty conversion as it struck the upright and veered away. Four minutes later a smart interception by Rahul Karunatilleke saw him breeze through for a try almost untouched. This was a near replica of a try scored in last year’s game (12-13).
Gamage, Royal’s brilliant centre now took a hand n the proceedings. Served with a good ball from a scrum in the Trinity half, he hesitated momentarily, thinking of passing it out. Seeing a gap opening up, he took the bit between his teeth and slipped through for a dandy try. Askey obliged to make the score to 12-10 which remained so until half time.
Royal threw everything they had in an effort to cross the line during the two minutes of the initial half but the Trinity defence held firm.Royal started the second half with a bang. A delightful chip which landed in the path of winger Sabeez Feroze and bounced right was made full use of by him to touch down (15-12).
The winners were in a dominant mood and went further ahead when the ball was sent down the line off a scrum. The distance was drawn and winger Mahima Gamage cut in between two defenders to go over. Askey missed this one too but succeeded with a penalty to put his team in a position of advantage with a handy 11points lead (23-12).
Fly Thusitha Perera took over the kicking and promptly put overt a penalty. Royal seemed to take their foot off the pedal at this stage and Trinity came back strongly. A neat kick to the corner was well collected buy Sangeeth Gunatilleke who contorted his body to fall over. Perera’s conversion made it Oh so close! (23-22). Askey who missed quite few was astray with the penalty. There followed a dangerous period of play for the Lions when the Royalists were swarming in front of the goal post.
But salvation was at hand as a Royalist dropped the ball. Thusila Perera tried a desperate long range penalty that would have given his team the win point. But he was yards short, Trinity’s defence in this half was good. Whatever ploy Royal tried was met with stiff resistance.
A super game of rugby and at the end of it, was difficult to say which was the better side. Judgment was suspended and will be delivered one presumes on May 23 after another humdinger of a contest.
Referee Dinka Peiris.