38-10 : victorious against St Anthony’s 1st XV Rugby Team

The Royal College Sports complex grounds, filled with eager fans of either team awaits the first rugby encounter for the season. The teams are welcomed with cheer and even fireworks are they make their way to the ground.

The game saw a favourable beginning for the Royalists as flanker Keshan Peiris keeps the first try in just under 3 minutes upon starting play. Soon after another try ensues as Royal’s  jumper Umesh Madushan makes a skillful interception and linking up with flanker Shawket Lahir works it all the way to the right making way for the next try. Both tries were easily converted by Royal’s fly-half Ashok Wijekumar, bringing the score to 14-0.

Once again play seems to favour the boys in blue and gold as they work the ball wide on to the left following a line-out at the opposing 22. Shawket and Keshan link it up smoothly followed by full-back Ayendra Subasinghe joining in to finish the score. Ashok misses this one raising the score to 19-0 in favour of Royal.

The Royal side keep steady with their strong attack on the boys from Kandy. Receiving the ball on the back of a five-metre scrum, Ashok breaks the opposing defence into shackles as he keeps a try close to the left end. Conversion fails. Soon after a wonderful display of adept passing links the ball to the far right for Royal’s winger Mahima Gamage to keep the next try. Ashok converts successfully raising the side’s score to 31-0.

The Anthonians make a few attempts to get through the Royal defence but are cut short depriving them of making any tries during the first half. By half time Royal has made a commendable score of 31 with 5 tries and 3 conversions.

Break-time showcases an amusing skit of drama on the ground by the organizers, aimed at promoting the Bradby Express. The jovial remarks and pun manage to bring some laughter to the entire crowd after the intense game of rugby.

The 2nd half begins with Royal putting out some of its younger players to the ground who manage to display equally laudable talent, marking a promising future for the side.  Few minutes into the half, the Anthonians finally make their much needed breakthrough as winger Dihan Fernando breaks through the Royal defence raising the score to 31-5. The conversion fails.

The Royalists are nevertheless quick to retaliate with winger Mahima making a stunning inside pass to captain of the side, Banuka Gamage who charges in to the opposing territory to score right under the post. The replaced fly-half, Ovin Askey converts successfully giving Royal a massive lead of 38-5.

The intensity of the game seemed to slowly fall away as both teams turned out to be weary after some intense play. With some noticeable errors in handling and penalties from both sides, the scores remain the same over the next few minutes. The Anthonians manage to keep one more try for the evening as winger, Tiron Jeyraj makes a skilled interception and goes on to score, raising it to 38-10. The conversion fails again.

Soon after, the match comes to an end with the crowds going wild in cheer and joy for one half. More fireworks are lighted in rejoicing the noteworthy victory from the boys in blue and gold. The Royal team lines up across the ground to make a gesture of appreciation for their ardent fans who seem to be thrilled with this creditable victory. The ground seems to clear out bringing the days event to an end as darkness falls.

Thus the first 1st XV rugby encounter for the season concluded with the team emerging victorious. The final scores remained at 38 (6 T; 4 C) – 10 (2 T; 0 C).