Royal thwart Trinity’s late burst to secure overall third slot
Both Royal and Trinity warmed up for the all-important Bradby Shield with yesterday's league showdown game - Pic by Akila Jayawardena
After a disappointing loss to Isipathana College last week, Royal College bounced back with a determined performance to narrowly defeat Trinity College 22-19 at the Sugathadasa Stadium yesterday, securing third place in the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2024.
In somewhat of a dress rehearsal for Sri Lanka’s blue ribbon rugby encounter, the Bradby Shield, which will be played next weekend at Pallekelle, the boys from Reid Avenue played the game at an incredibly fast pace in the first half, which caught the Lions by surprise leaving with no answer to the onslaught. Royal forwards and backs combined well to score 22 points in the first half which Trinity were left helpless. However, after the short whistle Trinity struck back hard with their forwards but could not recover from the damage done to them in the first half by the lads from Reid Avenue.
Overall Royal scored from three tries, two conversions and a penalty, while enjoying a commanding 22-0 lead at the break, as Trinity countered with three tries and two conversions, all during the second half.
Hooker Naqeeb Mohomed scored off a peel off from the rolling maul in the fourth minute despite Trinity’s strong defence, as Idris Farook converted to put Royal in front 7-0. Trinity’s opportunity to add points on the board went begging after fullback Yevan Hulangamuwa missed a penalty.
Winger Amika Samarasinghe got into action in the 11th minute following a superb passing game to touch down on the left as Royal extended their lead to 12-0 following a missed conversion. With Trinity being brought down to 14 men following a repeat offence of not rolling away, Royal’s Farook made no mistake with the penalty to advance the score 15-0.
Winger Fahad Nazar scored on the third try for Royal in the 20th minute from the right flank, and with Farook’s conversion Royal further extended the lead to 22-0, which went up to the halftime.
After the resumption Trinity executed a superb driving maul, leaving Royal forwards with no answer, to draw first blood in the 37th minute, with No.8 Manusha Silva taking the honour of bracing the unconverted try.
Despite Royal losing try scorer Fahad for 10 minutes for a dangerous tackle from the 45th minute, Trinity could not take any advantage of the situation. But the forwards made a brilliant breakthrough in the 58th minute to score a try under muddy conditions, as flyhalf Shan Althaf put over with ease to put Trinity in the run despite Royal leading 22-12.
Silva braced his second try under the posts in the 67th minute off a brilliant run which was easily converted by Althaf to cut the deficit by a mere three points with time running out with Royal still in the lead 22-19. However, Royal, who had rested a few players for next week’s all-important Bradby Shield encounter, held onto their slight lead and beat the clock out to win the game and secure the third spot of the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2024 which concluded yestedray.
Looking ahead to next weekend’s Bradby Shield, the encounter promises to be closely contested. Trinity boasts a superior forward pack, particularly in the lineouts, an area where Royal has struggled despite having the six-foot Yevan Weerasooriya as their primary jumper. However, Royal’s backs are expected to dominate in both attack and defense, especially with key players rested in this game who will be back in the starting lineup for the Bradby Shield.