Boom…Boom – The Lion is felled
Having just got their noses in front after the first leg at Palekelle, Royal handed out a 49-0 drubbing to Trinity in the second match at the Royal Complex.
Winger Mahima Gamage put the issue beyond doubt with two second half tries in the space of three or four minutes, But it was without doubt the magnificent Royal forwards who set up the win with a fantastic display of power rugby.
The blue and gold boys played with passion and purpose, and in the process handed out a rugby lesson to the Kandy team. It would be churlish to pick on one player in the Royal team. But number eight Supun Warnakulasuriya deserves the kudos for his sterling display. He was unstoppable and led the pack admirably.
The Shield returns to Colombo after a lapse of four years - Pix by Amila Gamage
Sanath Martis’ boys showed no mercy and pity. In the last few minutes when Royal was striving with might and main to reach the fifty mark, Trinity did mount a couple of threatening moves. However, the winners tackled with unrelenting force to quell those slight threats to their total dominance.
Royal obtained their points through four goals, three tries and two penalties. There was no reply from a disappointing Trinity outfit.
There was early evidence of Trinity’s impending doom. A kick ahead early on, the ball bounced awkwardly for the Royal full back Ovin Askey, but the Trinitian who was following up could not gather the ball. It should have been an easy try and that may have made Trinity a better fighting unit.
Trinity had another opportunity shortly after. Saranga Gunatilleke’s kick ahead was caught on the line. A five yard scrum followed and a Trinitian flung the ball back but it eluded his team mate.
It was now Gunatilleke’s turn to miss a forty yard penalty. Then a Royal kick ahead was dropped on the line or thereabouts and off the ensuing scrum Warnakulasuriya crept through a host of defenders for the first touch down. Askey converted this and another penalty that was awarded within minutes. (10-0)
In the 26th minute, there was a brilliant break from Sachintha Dissanaike, the center, but he was stopped ten yards from the line. Fullback Gunatilleke, who was at the heart of every attacking move, left the field now but reappeared in five minutes.
Possession for Royal was a given. They now played with increasing confidence. The ball was moved to the wing and Sabith Feroze went over with the tackle for an unconverted try. Askey was in the picture again, a short while later, with a very good conversion of a slightly long-range penalty.
This was all the scoring before lemons (18-0). But the Royalists had made their point and Trinity seemed to have been shot to pieces.
Royal continued their rampage six minutes after the re-start. The Royal pack was pushing their opponents off the ball – Keshan Peiris, the lock, spotted the ball, collected and went over. Askey made a beautiful conversion (25-0).
Another forwards push resulted in an unconverted try. Slightly built winger Mahima Gamage struck twice in the 14th and 17th minutes of this half. The ball was obligingly kicked into his hands and Gamage sped to the line for an under the posts try.
When the ball came out of a scrum, Gamage was fed good ball by his center. The winger did the needful, even as the Trinity defence was coming across to the right wing. Gamage touched down with the tackle inches inside the right corner flag. This try was unconverted but the score had reached 42-0.
A Royal try was now disallowed and some uncharitable Royalists pointed out that the referee was being merciful! The Royalists used the rolling maul to perfection and set up their final try which was scored by the indomitable Warnakulasuriya. Askey, who had a good game, converted to make the final score 49-0.
The Royalists wanted a 50 badly and they started a brilliant move. Many hands were involved as the ball was swung from right to left and back again. Alas, skipper Bhanuka Gamage dropped the ball in sight of the line. Trinity made a late skirmish but the ball-carrier stepped out into touch.
Thus ended a match which began in hope for Trinity, but ended in a shambles. The 49-0 represents the highest winning margin by either side. The 2002 Royalists led by Zulki Hamid massacred Mendis’ Trinitians by 39-0 and 44-0.
Rugby and athletics legend Summa Navaratnam, an old Royalist who celebrated his 90th birthday a couple of days ago was the chief guest. This was a dream performance and one feels even Royal will be stretched to repeat it.
Referee: Aruna Rankothge.