CHRIS DHAMBARAGE
COLOMBO – Royal College brought an end to the current Inter-Schools Under-19 ‘A’ Division League Rugby Tournament with an emphatic 37-14 victory over St. Anthony’s College in their Super Round segment last game played at the Bogambara Stadium in Kandy.
The lads from Reid Avenue also had the satisfaction of claiming the runners-up spot of the league tournament as they beat the Antonians with a bonus-point to finish with an impressive total of 37 points from eight matches.
In fact, Royal and Isipathana College were level with 37 points each at the completion of the Super Round segment, but the former took the second spot by virtue of having defeated the same opponents 22-17 earlier in the league tournament.
Royal continued their momentum and underlined their consistency once again as they collected their points from three goals, two tries and two penalties after having led 15-0 at half time.
Despite performing away from home, Royal dished out the same brand of rugby, which they have produced throughout the season, as they used their rolling maul to good advantage with three of their five tries coming during the latter stages of the game.
In fact, the home side made a superb comeback after the break as they reduced the deficit to a mere four points (14-18) at one stage after they had scored the second try of the match.
But thereafter, Royal never allowed any room for their opponents to stage another comeback and went on to score three back-to-back tries through Afeef Akram, Kavinash Srikanth and Thineth Gamage.
In addition, full back and place-kicker Nabil Yehiya gave another splendid performance by converting three tries and putting over two penalties.
For the Antonians it turned out to be a disappointing end as they lost both their Super Round segment games very badly despite finishing fourth in the final points table.
