Royal escape with a narrow win
Wesley almost shocked Royal - Pic by M.D. Nissanka
Defending league champions Royal, survived a superb second half rally by Wesley, to win the game at the end, by a close margin of 17 points to 14 in a Singer school league segment 1A match, played at CR and FC grounds yesterday. Thus Royal recorded their second straight win in the first round and Wesley for the second time in a row, went down fighting gallantly.
The winners collected their points from two tries, two conversions and a penalty to loser’s two tries and two conversions.
At ‘lemons’ Royal led 7-0.
In a fast paced game, both sides played so competitively, but also committed mistakes at crucial times as well. Both sides need to improve on their ball handling skills.
The Royal ‘eight’ led by skipper Nikhila Gunadeera, had the edge over their opponents in set pieces . But the Wesley backs did well to thwart the moves of their opponents in the entire game, and played a superb come back role in the second half, that had the Royal defence in disarray.
In the 20 minute of the game, Royal opened the scoring with a trade mark rolling maul move that led to prop forward, Ayesh Maduranga to fall over. Stand off Orvin Askey converted it correctly.
Then Wesley had a chance of reducing the lead in the 35th minute of the game, but half back Avishka Lee fluffed a 25-metre penalty. 
Royal then again had a chance to increase the lead prior to the half time, but Askey’s 40-metre penalty kick went astray.
In the turn around, it was completely a different game.
In the 15 minute of the second half, Royal increased their lead again with a rolling maul, where lock Lokugamage went over. Askey made no mistake with the conversion and Royal led 14-0.
Then it was Wesley’s turn to take the proceedings over, as their backs took the game to their opponents ’22’. And off a three quarter move, the reserve number eight Daiyan Sabar went over. Avishka Lee made the conversion and Wesley trailed 7-14.
Royal then increased the lead with a penalty by Askey to make it 17-7.
But then Wesley in a avalanche of attacking moves, unsettling the Royal defence , scored off a back line move with center Denister Gunathilake crossing over. The reserve half back Tariq Jurangpathy, made the conversion to the much delight of Wesley supporters and they trailed 14-17.
In the dying minutes of the game, Wesley had a golden opportunity to level the game, but Jurangpathy missed a penalty upfront, and the Royalists escaped with a narrow win.
Referee : Dinka Peries
Science beat St. Peter’s
In a Singer league segment 1B match, played at the Royal College Sports Complex, Science College Mt.Lavinia, in a superb second half rally, defeated St.Peter’s by 13 points to 10. At the half time Science was trailing 0-10.
The winners collected their points from one try,one conversion and two penalties to Peterite’s one try,one conversion and a penalty. With this win Science have recorded their second straight win in the first round. For Pete’s it was their first loss for the season. Referee: Irshad Cader