In a nail-biting final minute game on the 9th April at the Royal College Complex the school by the sea managed to defeat the home side to reclaim the prestigious Michael Gunaratna Trophy for the first time after 2013. Though the Royalists, especially the Royal Pack played exceptionally throughout most of the match a few unfortunate blunders cost them immensely.

Early on the match a penalty was awarded to Royal at 42 metres however Ovin Askey failed to secure it. Hamza Reeza went over the line to score the first try for Royal following a maul from close range which was subsequently converted by Askey.

St. Thomas’ secured their first try soon after Reeza was sent off to the penalty box to tie the scores at 7 – 7. Royal managed to gain the lead once again when a penalty was successfully secured by Askey moments before Half Time bringing the score up to 10 – 7.

10 minutes into the second half the Thomians managed to get yet another try to gegt into the lead once again with the score set at 10 – 14. Thanks to brilliant play by the forwards and Royal’s infamous Rolling Maul, Hamza reeza managed to score a second for Royal. However, Ovin Askey failed to make the crucial conversion leaving the score at a narrow 15 – 14.

In the dying moments of the game the S. Thomas’ side managed to outrun the Royal wings to score the winning try and converted successfully bringing the score up to 21 – 15 at Full Time reclaiming the Michael Gunaratne Trophy after three years.

 

Match Summary

Final Score: RC 15(2T, 1C, 1P) – 21 (3T, 3C) STC

RC Tries: Hamza Reeza – 2

RC Conversions: Ovin Askey – 1

RC Penalties: Ovin Askey – 1

 

The Under – 18 Game

The Royal College U – 18 Team managed to secure a win over their Thomian counterparts to retain the Thambapillai Trophy. The final score was 25 – 5. Though the Royalists were able to go over the line five times none were converted successfully.  Nuwan Jayawardena secured two tries for the Royal camp while Deshan Perera, Fadhil Adahan and Yasis Rashmika scored one try each.