This year has been quite eventful for the Royal College Sports arena, and the Rugby encounter against out traditional rivals saw a completion of a trophy exchange take place. While the cricket team managed to bring back the D.S. Senanayake Shield for the first time after 2006, the S. Thomas’ Rugby team managed to narrowly pull off a last minute win for the Michael Gunaratne Trophy, coincidentally; after their last win in 2006. With the scores at 22 – 20 in favour of STC in the final few minutes of the game, STC pulled off a shocking try immediately after Royal scored to decrease the deficit.

Click on the link to view the complete album – Rugby First XV – Royal vs. S. Thomas’ College

STC who were demoted to the ‘B’ Division after last year’s unsuccessful season went about this years’ season with promotion in their minds and have done well for them selves. The Royal – Thomian encounter was bound to be an collision of epic proportions with all the event that had transpired within in the past few months. As the crowds flocked to the Havelock Grounds, the Under 18 game was taking place and things looked good for the Royal College Under 18 Team. Leading 07 – 00 at half time, a win seemed to be on the cards for Royal, and was secured at full time when the Under 18 Team won 14 – 07 to take the Thambapillai Trophy.

A motivated crowd waited in anticipation for the kick off of the first Schools’ Rugby game to be played under lights in Sri Lanka, and it was indeed a game to be remembered. STC secured the first try of the game but were unable to convert. The first half then went on to put on quick scoring opportunities for both teams, with STC taking full advantage of their opportunities, while Royal was not as fortunate. The half time scores read RC 08 – 22 STC with Royal scoring 1 penalty and 1 try while STC secured a penalty, a try and 2 goals. Things looked bleak for the Boys in Blue & Gold at half time. STC had dominated the first half with relative ease.

We’ve seen the Royal First XV go through quite the challenging season, and one thing that has been consistent is there resilience. The team may have had a rough first half, but once again they came back determined to win in the second half and put there thoughts into action as they held on to the ball for much of the second half. While the offensive waves kept coming, STC held on. But the pressure proved to be too much for the STC team as the Royal pack eventually pulled off an incredible offensive play and absolutely powered through a scrum to score. Not much later, their perseverance payed off once again and Royal scored to bring the scores to 20 – 22 in favour of Royal. With barely minutes to go, the game was in the balance as a successful scoring opportunity for either team would have secured them a win. Much to the disappointment of the Royalists, STC were the team that secured this opportunity as they went on to celebrate a final try, to take the Michael Gunaratne trophy after eight long years.

Celebrations of grand scale took place at the Havelock Grounds, as S. Thomas’ College had achieved a great victory. Royal have to look back at a trophy-less season, but can be proud of the fact that they did put on a great fight. But the performance alone wasn’t enough as fortune did not favour the Royalists in 2013. With one more game on the cards against Dharmaraja College, Kandy, the team will look to bring an end to this years season against one of the tougher opponents in the league.

We wish the team good luck as they step on to the pitch for one last time, and will look to end the season with another win to their names.