Royal clinched the Under-20 Schools League 2011 title after they overcame the Science outfit by a narrow 18-15 at Royal College Sports Complex yesterday remaining unbeaten in the three month long tournament.
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| A Royal player slips past two Science College defenders– Pic by Ranjith Perera |
Royal needing a win to record their tenth successive win on their way to the league title played a cool-headed game while weathering a spirited game by Science. Playing under soggy conditions underfoot Royal were tested by the nippy and quick style of play dished out by the boys from Mt. Lavinia.
Royal who narrowly won the crucial game by three points edged on to hold a slender 8-7 lead at half time. They scored from two tries, a conversion and two penalties while Science braved to post two tries with a conversion and put over a penalty.
Science had earlier earned a reputation as ‘giant killers’ by recording upset wins over Trinity, Kingswood and last week against Royal’s traditional rivals S. Thomas’.
They came out with great confidence with the intention of pulling out yet another upset win. Royal’s playmakers skipper and No.8 Shehan Pathirana, lock Wasim Bawa, winger Rimzi Jamaldeen and others who were innovative on the field were well handled by the gritty Science players.
Royal on the other hand frustrated themselves with unwanted pressure and wasted an entire half and further twenty minutes during the second half to fathom the cracking playing style of Science. Science shocked the entire stadium when they drew first blood six minutes from the first whistle through centre Suhail Imthiaz who dashed down the Royal defense. With fullback Malik Perera’s conversion Science took an early 7-0 lead.
Royal’s gallant attempts to penetrate the opponent’s defense were thwarted many a time by the Science forwards who were much stronger than they looked. However after a great struggle of nearly 25 minutes Royal was awarded a penalty which fly half Arshad Jamaldeen was quick to put over. Just two minutes later Science created a shocking opening when their quick three-quarters ran the ball down to almost post a try to which Royal defenders responded quickly by spoiling their effort in the nick of time.
After the shocking eye-opener Royal changed their game plan and moved the ball to their forwards as they advanced the Science 22 mark. However, they had to work hard to reach the score line. Finally in the 38th minute lock Lahiru Pavithra crashed off a maul to score the first try for Royal who took an 8-7 lead before the half time.
 Five minutes after the turnaround Science shocked the Royal defense again to work for a try but scrumhalf and skipper Richard Dharmapala knocked on the ball on the try line. Foul play by Science in the 48th minute enabled Royal to expand their lead from a Jamaldeen penalty to 11-7 but Science retaliated though a penalty from Perera to trail by 11-10 four minutes later. In the 54th minute Science failed for the third time in succession to land a try cleanly while Royal too experienced a moment of agony when they failed to touch down eight minutes later.
Royal from that failure turned the game in their favour as they dominated the final twenty minutes of play until Science skipper Dharmapala took a blind side collection to post a try in the 70th minute. With a failed conversion Science led 15-11 and time running out for Royal. With a defeat looming Royal fought back and a similar blind side move by winger Azman Khan two minutes later gave them hope of a determined comeback when he planted a try as Science defenders muffed the loose ball in the mud. A difficult wide kick from the left flank was well executed by Jamaldeen to a conversion as Royal took back the lead at 18-15 and sealed the game in style.
Royal fly half Jamaldeen with eight points from yesterday’s game bettered the school record for most points during a league tournament after accumulating 148 points. He bettered St. Peter’s winger Rinaz Mohamed’s record of 140 points which was established in 2002. Royal last won the league title in 2009 under the captaincy of fly half Naren Dhason.
Referee: Irshad Cader
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