Rolling maul did the trick for Royal in mud and rain
Royal may have lost territorially and as far as possession was concerned. However they made maximum use of their strengths — the forwards and the rolling maul on their way to a 22-17 win over Trinity in their first leg of the 72nd Bradby Shield at the Royal College Sports Complex yesterday.
Royal hooker Ajmeer Fajudeen touches down to score his second try which sealed the match for Royal 22-17 - Pix by Amila Gamage
Royal had two goals, a try and a penalty as against the two goals and a penalty achieved by Trinity. The rain in the second half worked against Trinity in that they made things harder for the Kandy team to use their strength — the back division. At the same time, it was a god-send to the rampaging Royal forwards who produced a superb defensive display.
Trinity lacked an alternative plan when the heavens opened up. They should have used the high ball. Royal ensured that Trinity’s dangerous backs didn’t get too much leeway. The losing side gave away too many penalties in the first 15 minutes or so. Unforced errors, bad throwing in (in the line outs) also did not help their cause.
Royal started off with a bang, but did not end with a whimper. People had barely taken their seats when centre Janindu Dilshan intercepted a pass between the Trinity centres and sped through for an under-the-posts try. Ovin Askey converted and at 7-0, Royal had won the early battle.
Trinity were swarming all over, just outside the goal line in a furious effort to make up the leeway. Flanker Rukshan Dhammapala was able to force his way over the line. Sanushka Abeywickrema converted to tie the score 7-7. In the 20th minute, Askey essayed a drop goal but made a terrible hash of it. However the ball was knocked on, and Askey had a second crack at goal from about 22 metres out. This went over and Royal had edged ahead 10-7.
In the 27th minute, Royal used the rolling maul with telling effect. This time, it brooked no stopping. Hooker Ajmer Fajudeen scrambled for the touchdown and Askey added the extra points. Royal 17-7.
Royal’s attempts at kicking ahead were unproductive and thoughtless. On two occasions, they kicked into the hands of Abeywickrema, who caught well and started dangerous moves. But the alert defence came round to stall them. Abeywickrema missed a fairly simple penalty around this time. Trinity kept attacking to gain parity by the break. However, Ashok Vijaykumar’s timely clearance saved the situation for Royal, who led 17-7 at the short whistle.
Royal centre Janindu Dilshan intercepted a Trinity pass to score a try in the first minute of play
Trinity was more dominant in the second half. Stand in skipper Thusila Perera went off after about twelve minutes and his place was taken by Lashan Wijesuriya, who kicked a penalty as soon as he came on. Trinity trailed 10-17. Trinity’s regular captain Rahul Karunathilake had to miss the first leg of Bradby after receiving a red card in his last outing against S. Thomas’ last week.
Trinity had to attack and they did. Off a penalty, five yards out, Wijesuriya tried to squeeze his way through but was held down. A deft off-load to unmarked winger Diluksha Dange ended in the latter touching down. Technology was used and the try was awarded by referee Dinka Peiris. Wijesuriya’s conversion was low but deadly accurate.
17-all and things were definitely hotting up. Both sides were seeking desperately for that elusive, decisive try. But it was Royal who succeeded through hooker Fajudeen, who went over for his second try. Once again it was the rolling maul that did the trick.
Too close to call. The match followed the expected script with Royal depending almost in toto on their forwards. Trinity was more ‘diversified’ and used their pack quite a bit. But the dangerous backs were held in check. To borrow from the Sound of Music, Trinity has to solve a poser – “How do you solve a problem like (not Maria) but the Rolling Maul? “