It was all about missed opportunities. St. Peter’s were so close yet so far. In the end it was Royal who remained unbeaten for this rugby season. Royal won by 25 Points (4 Tries, 1 Conversion, 1 Penalty) to 21 Points (3 Tries, 3 Conversations).
At the short breather it was Royal who led 20-14.
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| Royal’s Rimzi Jamaldeen is brought down by a Peterite defender. Pic by Mangala Weerasekara |
The battle was between the Royal forwards and Petrites three quarters. Royal were happy to keep the ball with their heavy forwards. Second Rower Wasim Bawa and burly prop Iroshan De Alwis were outstanding. Both were lightning fast on the loose ball and never allowed the Peterite forwards to have their way. The Royal pack retaining the bul of the possession througout the game.
While Peter’s failed to capitalise on given opportunities, their three quarters looked threatening during all their moves as the Royal three’s showed a huge chunk in the defence armour. Some selfish play by one or two of the Peterite back division resulted in scoring opportunities going abegging. Dropping passes did not help their cause either.
The Peterites could have ended Royal’s unbeaten run had Dulaj Perera on this occassion made his way to the try line instead of passing the ball to one of his wingers who was pushed to touch. Royal drew first blood in the fifth minute of the game when Second Row forward Wasim Bawa powered his way for a try. Rimzi Jamaldeen was off target. Six minutes later Rimzy was on target with a 35 meter Penalty when St. Peter’s was caught off side. Five minutes later centre Dulaj Perera cut his way through the Royal defence and ran a good 45 meters to touch down under the posts. He added the extra two points to cut the deficit 8-7.
But it was short lived as Royal’s number 8 Damian Ratwatte powered his way to score under the posts. Rimzy added the extra two points for Royal to take a 15-7 lead. Peter’s winger Banuka Peiries dashed his way for a wingers try with Dulaj adding the extra two points to reduce the lead to a single point. But Royal scored through Wasim Bawa on the stroke of half time
In the second half Royal scored through Prop forward Iroshan De Alwis and the Petrites scored through Centre Dilanka Perera.
Peters pressed hard in fading light as Royal held on to a dicey lead until the final whistle.
Referee Dilroy Fernando
In the Junior game St. Peter’s beat Royal 5-0.
Next Saturday Royal will meet Trinity in their First Leg of the Bradby Shield encounter at the Royal Sports Complex. The game will be officiated by Irshad Cader. |
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