The encounter between Royal College and Wesley College ended in a close yet thrilling win for the Royalists, as both teams displayed their passion for the sport as well as the determination to win and bring glory to their respective school.

The match commenced at 4.15 pm with Wesley College kicking off and getting off a good start. Wesley scored through the conversion of an awarded penalty which gave them the edge by leading 03 – 00.

Royal was quick in response, with Skipper and place kicker Nimshan Jayawardena converting an awarded penalty, which put the match right back on equal terms.

The next 20 minutes of the game saw Wesley College effectively making sure that their opponents were on the back foot, by scoring two tries in quick succession which put them 12 points in front, with the score on 15 – 03 in favour of Wesley College.  Conversions were unsuccessful.

However Royal found their strength right at the stroke of halftime, with Centre Umesha Madushan piercing through the defensive line and scoring a much needed try! Conversion was unsuccessful.

At halftime, Wesley College were leading 15-10 and were looking like the favourites to win the game.

The start of the second half saw Royal dominating with the forwards and pushing over for a try! Royal showed superb strength and skill with their forwards through their attack as well as defense as Royal were getting back into the game! Scoreboard read 15 – 15 as the game was in the balance.

With the sudden surge in the strength in the forwards, Flanker Keshan Peries scored a well deserved try which put Royal in front by 7 points, thanks to skipper and place kicker Nimshan Jayawardena! Scoreboard read 22-15 in favour of Royal, much to the delight of the Royalists.

The game remained steady with solid defense from both the Three Quarters and the Forwards, right up until the last minute of the game, where Wesley College managed to score a try which put pressure on the Royalists.

The outcome of the game was in the hands of the place kicker of Wesley College, as the conversion which was to be made by him would have leveled the score line and made the score 22 – 22.

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Unfortunately for the Wesley fans, the conversion was unsuccessful and Wesley College fell short by  2 points right at the stroke of full time!

Final score, Royal won 22-20.

An amazing display of solid attack as well as defense by the Royalists and a well deserved win!  Preparation for the Bradby Shield Encounter is in progress. Next Match  : St. Joseph’s College – Away.