Royal thrash St. Anthony’s to become league runners-up
Royal College completed their Dialog Schools Rugby League 2023 campaign with a thumping 37-14 win against St. Anthony’s College, to end as runners-up after their bonus point win at the Bogambara Stadium in Kandy yesterday.
Despite early hiccups, Royal managed to dominate the first half with a 15-0 lead and completed the game with a tally of five tries, three conversions and a couple of penalties. The Antonians made an early strike soon after the resumption to score two converted tries, the only occasions they managed to breach the opponent’s territory.
Royal took total charge of the game during the final phase, despite scoring at openings during the first half. They were sloppy at certain points, as St. Anthony’s possessed a threat during the opening phase of the game and the first 15 minutes of the second half. However, they failed to complete their moves and transform their efforts into points in front of a strong Royal defence.
The only occasions they managed to breach were when forward Dashintha Amarakoon braced a try after a forward move in the 39th minute, and when they played open to hand their speedy centre Tyron Mariyadas score a beautifully run try in the 50th minute. Both tries were converted by skipper and flyhalf Sahan Keerthisiri, who had to sit out for 10 minutes after being shown a yellow card in the 56th minute for a late tackle.
Hooker Afeef Akram stood out for Royal, playing a leading role in their lineouts, rolling mauls and forward play. And he braced two penetrative tries with Royal’s trademark rolling maul during both phases – one in the 28th minute and the other in the 53rd minute.
After failing to handle the Antotians for a good 15 minutes in the first half, Royal were finally able to tactically form their trademark rolling maul, which resulted in lock Tanvir Hassen crashing down for a try in the 18th minute. Fullback Nabeel Yahiya, who made the conversion, would go on to put over two more tries and two penalties later in the game, while failing on two occasions from difficult angles.
Royal led the halftime 15-0 and were shocked by the hosts, following the short spark of display by St. Anthony’s soon after the resumption, despite a man short. St. Anthony’s flanker Abdul Rasith was given a yellow card in the 30th minute, as he stood out five minutes each during both sessions.
At a point the deficit stood short at 18-14 in favour of Royal, who took charge of the game gradually but steadily. They fully gained control to add three more tries – in the 53rd minute through Akram, followed by prop Kavinash Srinath in the 58th minute before prop Thineth Gamage braced down in the 70th minute to complete a bonus point win.