Royal edge out Kingswood

S.M. Jiffry Abdden - Kandy Sports Correspondent

It turned out to be a narrow shave for Royal College, Colombo as they fended off a strong late challenge of Kingswood College to post a close 27 points (3 goals, 2 penalties) to 24 (2 goals, 2 tries) in their schools Singer Shield Division A under 19 rugby tournament match played at the Bogambara Stadium, Kandy on Saturday. At half time Royal College were will placed leading 20-0.

It was the kicking prowess of stand off Rimizi Jamaldeen which brought them victory as he kicked two penalties from a difficult angle and also goaled two tries.

Royal College got into the lead in the third minute when stand off Rimizi Jamaldeen knocked over a 35 metre penalty.

But soon afterwards Rimzi Jamldeen and Kingswood's centre L.S. Piyasena had a punch bout at each other and both were sent on ‘sin bin'.

In the 15th minute Royal's winger Nimshan Jayawardena gave the finishing touches to a there quarter move to score mid left and centre Devin de Silva added the extra points Royal 10-0.

In the 25th minute stand off Jamaldeen back in the field converted a 35 metre penalty to increase Royal's lead to 13-0.

Almost in the 40th minute of this half Royal's right winger Nimshan Jayawadena through sheer speed ran through the Kingswood defence to score by the left corner flag. Rimizi with a brilliant kick added the extra points to take a comfortable lead of 20-0 by lemons.

But the Kingswoodians displayed more aggressiveness came back into the game. In the 5th minute their no 8 Uvin Ariyaratne pounded his way to score mid left and this try went unconverted.

Royal College further increased their lead when winger Nimshan Jayawardena breached the home team's defence to score far left. Rimizie Jamaddeen added the extra points with a fine kick. Royal 27-5.

Then came Kingswood's fight back they reduced the bead through a try by flanker Tharaka Chathruanga which was goaled by Centre Kosala Perea.In the 28th minute a penalty was awarded to Kingswood and they opted to run with the ball and flanker K.P. Piyasena scored mid right and Kosala Perera added the extra points. Kingswood 17-27. In the final minute of play lock forward Rumesh Prematillake collecting the ball from a maul ran through Royal's defence to score under the posts and Kosala Perera added the extra points. Kingswood 24-27.

D. Nimal refereed.