Thomian grit deflated after initial spurt
Royal regained the Michael Gunaratne Trophy in no uncertain terms when they beat traditional rivals S. Thomas’ 31-14 in the Singer Inter-Schools Under 20 League Rugby Tournament second round game at Mount Lavinia yesterday.
Royal scored through five tries and three conversions, while the Thomians scored two tries and two conversions.
Though both sides matched where the weight was concerned, but it was definitely Royal who dominated the line-outs. Yet, this time around the famed Royal rolling maul was not set in motion and instead they opted look for opportunities on the loose. In reality it worked fine for the winners.
In the last ten years from 2007, Royal has won the trophy while S. Thomas' emerged victorious only on two occasions - in 2013 and 2016.
It was Royal who opened scoring. It came in the 15th minute when centre Janinidu Dilshan scored far right whilst winger Mohammed Shakir added the extra points.
Then S. Thomas' came back fighting and scored through flanker Christian De Lile and place kicker Dion Dias was right with his angle. The scores were level at 7-all.
A while later the Royal winger Sabith Feroze beat the Thomian defence to plant an unconverted try to lead at 12-7. But, at the stroke of half time Hasith Senanayake who played a tireless game for the losers stunned the Royal defence to score and scrum half Dias added the extras for them to go into the lead at 14-12 at lemons.
Then there was a ten minute lull where both sides were sizing up their opposition looking for the final assault. In the midst a Thomian prop forward Adheesha Handunpathirana was yellow carded and the game turned on its head. With one-man down Royal moved into action.
Royal came into the game in grand style with Dilshan scoring his second try of the game along with Ashen Fernando and Yasas Rashmika scoring a try each. All three tries were converted by Shakir. In fact the game belonged to the Royalists and their second half burst amply proved the fact beyond any doubt.
Referee – Irshad Cader.