Science in stunning 36 - 19 win over Royal

Thushan JAYASURIYA

Science College Mount Lavinia, came up with a stupendous performance to score a stunning 36 points (three goals, three tries) to 19 (one goal, three penalties and a drop goal) win over Royal College Colombo in their Singer Under 20 league match worked off at Royal Sports Complex yesterday after leading 19 -12 in the breather.

Royal opened scoring through a 20 metre penalty by skipper Rimzi Jamaldeen. Then Science snatched back the lead through a try by Chathuranga Gomez converted by R.S.P.C.Singhe. The lads from Reid Avenue reduced the deficit when Rimzi Jamaldeen put over a 25 metre penalty (7 - 6). The lads from Mount Lavinia went ahead once again when G.G.H.T.Thilanka scored an unconverted try in the 25th minute (12-06).

Then Rimzi Jamaldeen dropped a goal from 30 metres out and fired across a 25 metre penalty to make it 12 all.

Just before the breather Science College worked the blind side off a three quarter move and full back R.S.P.C.Singhe burst through 40 metres to touch down midright and added the extra points himself to make it 19 - 12 at lemons.

Early in the second half Royal were awarded two 20 metre penalties but they opted to take short taps but could not penetrate the rock-hard Science College defence.Science College’s R.A.N.U.Perera breached the Royal defence and scored under the posts midway in the second half. Soon after this fighting broke out between the players of the two schools.

The referee Dinka Peiris sin binned a player each from both schools and the match resumed after about 10 minutes after he brought the situation uncer control. Science College put the issue beyond doubt when Winger M.R.I.Fernando sped over 25 metres to fall over for an unconverted try by the corner flag and Science led 29 - 12.

Royal fought back and reduced the deficit when centre Azman Khan crashed through for a try which was converted by Rimzi Jamaldeen and the score read 29 - 19. Just before the final whistle , Science College’s B.L.I.Karunatilleke picked up a loose ball and ran over40 metres to touch down under the posts to give Chathura Gomez an easy kick at goal and Science ran out worthy winners by 36 - 19.

Speed and fitness played a key role in Science’s success as they exploited Royal’s weak defence and lack of fitness to the maximum.

Dinka Peiris refereed.