Royal avoid a major hiccup before the Bradby First Leg
View(s):Royal, prior to the first leg of the Bradby Shield, avoided a shock at the hands of the marauding Josephians, by coming from behind to draw the game 27-all, at Longden Place, yesterday.
Royal made a great comeback but Joes were not easy customers to handle - Pic by Ranjith Perera
It was a game that St. Joseph’s, dominated at large — leading 27 points to 15 till 60th minute. This sent shock waves to the Royal camp and their supporters, and Joes were about to record their first win over Royal after many years. But finally they succumbed under the pressure mounted by the Royalists. Joes in the first half, successfully stalled the trade mark Royal rolling maul on its tracks, by engaging it.
The Royalists accumulated their points through four tries, two conversions and one penalty to Joes’ three tries, three conversions, one penalty and a drop goal.
At the breather St. Joseph’s led 24 points to 10.
Joes put the first points on the board, in the early minutes of the game with a 40-metre penalty by Stand-off, Chathura Seneviratne after Royal forwards were penalised for not releasing the ball.
Then in the 25th minute of the game, Royal took the lead with a try by skipper cum number eight Nikhila Gunadeera, after Royal won a line out ten metres out and off a maul. Royal led 7-3.
Then Joes hit back with their forwards off a maul that Royal had no answer, and number eight cum vice captain Devon Fernando crashed over. Seneviratne, converted to make it 10-7 in St. Joseph’s favour.
Soon after, Joes went further ahead with a superb try scored by their scrum half Udeesha Perera, who pounced on a loose ball, that Royal back line could not collect cleanly and ran 25 metres to score under the post. Seneviratne converted and Joes led 17-7.
Then in the 35 minute of the game, Royal reduced the lead with a penalty booted by full back Ashok Vijeyakumar, after Joes were penalised for not releasing the ball. Royal trailed 10-17.
Then came a brilliant piece of work by Joes scrum half Udeesha Perera again. After winning the ball from their scrum Udeesha outfoxed the Royal defence, and when challenged passed to winger Ashen Malinda to do the finishing touches. It was converted by Seneviratne and Joes were sitting pretty at 24-10.
In the turnaround it was Royal all the way.
In the 15th minute of the second half, Royal reduced the lead with a try by their hooker Azmir Fajudeen off a maul, that had the Josephian defense in disarray. Vijaykumar failed with the conversion.
Then Josephian stand-off Seneviratne, booted a drop goal 25-metres out for Joes to increase the lead 27-15.
Then Royal in the 30 minute of the second half, scored again off a rolling maul, to reduce the lead with a try by their hooker Fajudeen. Vijaykumar missed the conversion and Royal trailed 20-27.
In the dying moments of the game Royal leveled the scores off a try by their prop Ayesh Maduranga off a maul and was converted by Vijaykumar to end the game with a face saving 27-all draw.
Joes had two golden opportunities, to win the game during the final minutes, but, their place kicker Seneviratne missed two penalties that lacked direction.
For Royal, they go to the first leg of Bradby Shield, next weekend with their heads held high.
Referee : Ruwan Fernando.