Thulaib hat-trick gives Royal another feather
An airbound Royal attacker in full flight - Pic by Amila Gamage
Royal worked their way through the Zahira side and continued their unbeaten record beating them by 41 points (3 goals and 4 tries) points to 5 (1 try) at the Royal College Sports Complex, yesterday.
This was their first match of the second round for the Schools Division One Rugby League. Though leading by 31 points to 5 at half time Royal scoring twice in the second half and accumulating 10 more points; Zahira was solid in defence and outplayed Royal a number of times at the breakdown. In spite of scoring 41 points Royal has to work with more wisdom in the coming weeks and have to thank centre Thulaib Hassan for his three tries that put them on top. At the same time, centre Janidu Dilshan needs to offload than trying to do it all by himself.
Royal took early control of the game scoring in the seventh minute through centre Thuliab Hassan and the try was converted by fullback Malisha Perera. Royal extended the lead through a try by Kevin Seneviratne which was converted by Perera in the 12 minute. This was followed by another Royal try in the 17 minute by Manisha Perea which was not converted to lead by 19 points to nil.
Zahira in a sudden surge of power hit through their forwards and scored to reduced the lead 19 to 5 through a try by hooker Shaim Nafeez.
Royal scored again twice through scrum half Musian Faleel and centre Thulaib Hassan with one being converted by Malisha Perera and the scores at half time was 31-5.
Thereafter, Zahira offered stiff resistance to twenty minutes of the second half before Royal prop Himasha Hirusan scored an unconverted try. Scores Royal 36, Zahira 5.
Royal was reduced to 14 with a yellow card thrown to Royal Bhanuka Samaranayake who came in as a substitute. Zahira skipper Mummar Deen too was sent to the bin. Royal scored again through centre Thuliab Hassan who scored his third try and Royal walked out winners by 41 points to 5.
After being sent for a walk around twice as directed by the security to find a place for the media and was finally directed by an official who was more officious and despite a promise there was no team list made available and unable to access at least the match commissioner. The information on try scores is by courtesy of ‘the Papare’ team at the ground.
Referee Priya Suranga