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Royal in record-breaking 38-3 win over Thomians

by Chris Dhambarage

Royal College powered their way to a record breaking 38-3 win over their traditional rivals S. Thomas' College in their annual inter school rugby encounter played at the Royal College Sports Complex grounds last week.

Royal's victory had great significance as they recorded the highest score in the series and also retained the Michael Gunaratne trophy for the second successive year. Last year Royal won by a convincing margin of 30 points to nil and this time they produced even a better display and completely outplayed their opponents.

Chamath - poor display of kicking

Royal's dominance was quite clear as they planted as many as six tries with five of them coming in the second half. They could have won this game even by a bigger margin had their place kicker Chamath Danawansa converted all six tries. Nevertheless the full back gave Royal an early lead with two penalties and went into half time with the score at 11-3.

The second half turned out to be more productive for Royal who decided to run the ball quite regularly through their speedy three quarters. The Royal back division made use of the good ball and almost went on the rampage with the two wingers Lakshman Dissanayake, Kushan Athukorale, Rajith Jayasundera, full back Chamath Danawansa and fly half Ishan Perera scoring a try each. In addition prop forward Pujitha Jayakody also crossed the Thomian goal line on one occasion.

Kingswood - fine display

Meanwhile Kingswood College Kandy put up a sterling performance to hold the high riding Wesleyites to a six all draw in their L. E. Blaze trophy first leg rugby encounter worked off at Havelock Park. This was a creditable effort by the Kingswoodians who certainly surprised their more fancied opponents despite performing away from home. In fact they could have even pulled off this game had their place kicker, Erandha Weerakkody converted a penalty during injury time.

They stuck to their game plan and spoiled a number of moves which really shattered Wesley's hopes of recording another victory. The team seem to have not yet recovered from last week's defeat at the hands of Isipatana and committed a series of errors which ruined their chances.

In contrast Kingswood College played well within themselves after having fully studied their opponents' strength and weaknesses. Weerakkody put over the penalty and the drop goal for Kingswood while Wesley's Prasad Perera was responsible for both penalties.

Isipatana in grand 43-8 win

Isipatana warmed up for this weeks important clash against Royal by outplaying Trinity College by 43 points to 8 at the Trinity College Stadium in Pallekele. This was an outstanding performance from the Isipatana outfit who made the Trinitians look just an ordinary side by recording one of the biggest victories in the series between the two schools.

Isipatana went into this game as the clear favourites and were expected to win the match quite convincingly. But running down as many as seven tries and to lead 26-3 at the half way mark of the game is something remarkable specially when they were performing away from home. The powerful Isipatana outfit went on a try spree as if they were warming up in their backyard while further justifying their superiority in the current season.

Speedy wing three quarter Dinesh Kumara gave his team the perfect start while scoring two spectacular tries joined by centre Gayan Fernando and second row forward Anuruddha Dharmatilleke. The Trinitians made some inroads into the Isipatana territory during the second half during which time they threatened to score on more than a couple of occasions.

In fact skipper Sanjeeva Mendis had the satisfaction of scoring their solitary try mid way in the second half. But Isipatana again got their act together and went on to add the finishing touches in style. Hooker Santhil Kumara who had an outstanding game joined the try scorers along with number eight Anuraga Walpola and winger Duminda Samaranayake as Isipatana completed a rousing victory at the end.

Rinaz - Peterite hero

St. Peter's College put up a pleasing performance as they trounced Ananda by 34 points to 10 in their inter school fixture played at Havelock Park. The Peterites fully enjoyed themselves and had the satisfaction of running down six tries with Mohamed Rinaz being responsible for four tries. The speedy wing three quarter was in cracking form as he pierced through the Ananda defence quite easily while making use of every opportunity.

In addition Malik Perera and D. Nonis also scored a try each as the Peterites warmed up for this weeks key match against their arch rivals S. Thomas' College Mount Lavinia.

Mahanama bounce back into recognition

Meanwhile Mahanama MV bounced back into recognition with a morale boosting 22-13 win over Nalanda in their fixture played at Thurstan College grounds. Mahanama after a shock defeat last week came out with their best performance while collecting their points from two tries and a penalty. The Nalandians have been unpredictable in the current season and they almost created a upset before going down fighting.

DSs go on a scoring spree

D. S. Senanayake College went on a scoring spree as they outplayed Maliyadeva College Kurunegala by 46 points to nil in their encounter played at Thurstan College grounds. D. S. Senanayake had their own from the kick off and ran down eight tries of which three were converted by Viraj Indika. In addition Roshan Fernando had an outstanding game as he crossed the Maliyadeva goal line on three occasions.

Lumbini MV produced a fine performance as they trounced St. Aloysius College Galle by 18 points to nil in their inter school match played at Koggala. Lumbini MV after been restricted to a solitary try in the first half cut loose during the latter stages and went on to win by a convincing margin at the end.

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Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
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