Peterite power and grit prevail
All good things have to end. This was so in the case of twice champions Royal who tasted defeat at the hands of a highly charged Peterite outfit. The Peterites scored 12 points (a goal and a try) while Royal replied with 8 (a penalty and a try) in their match at Bambalapitiya.
St. Peter's ended Royal's winning march of 19 games in two seasons - Pic by Ranjith Perera
Two strong teams, a super crowd but a very conspicuous absence of points. Both teams, especially Royal, stuck to the old adage, play with the forwards. In Royal’s case this tactics has been their strength and sustenance over a long period of time. But in the Peterite forwards they found a bunch of players who were equally good and, moreover, a pack that refused to give in.
Rucks and rolling mauls proliferated as Royal attempted their famed tactic time after time and came up against a wall. Royal’s over reliance on their tried and tested pattern of play and their refusal, till late in the game, to look at other options was one of the reasons that led to their loss. The place-kicking too needs to be looked at. They missed out on a two penalities and conversion.
Quit apart from putting up a superb defence, the Peterites did try occasionally to break free and run the ball. But Royal, too, rose to the occasion and pushed them back.
Play shifted from side to side early on. Royal tried to break through the defence but found it a tough proposition.
The winners entered Royal territory after sometime and made it pay. They received the ball from scrum outside the 22 and winger GIS Fernando made a nice break, streaking through on the short side. A ruck was set up and fullback Madushanka was able to go over amidst a swarm of bodies. SP De Mel converted and it was 7-0 to the Peterites. A while later, the self same winger was given a yellow card.
The Peterites were playing some stirring rugby but were penalized too often. Around the 28th minute, Royal winger Malisha Perera booted over a penalty to make the scoreline read 7-3. That’s how it stood at the break. Royal persisted in attacking the Peterite goal-line. They almost pushed their way over twice. They were not third time lucky as the Peterites cleared the ball to safety. The Peterite captain Bilal Hilmy was able to touchdown mid-way in the second half. De Mel was unable to add the extra points (12-3).
Time was running out, and the game too seemed to be running away from Royal. They tried to power their way through. In desperation they started rolling mauls from around 40 yards out. Hooker Rajindu Jayasinghe went over for their only try–an unconverted one.
The defeat leaves St. Peter’s, Royal and S. Thomas’ with three wins and a defeat each. An authoritative source opined that Royal lost a match after winning 19 on the trot.
Referee- Pradeep Weranga.