Royal dominate in muddy Bogambara massacre
A Royalist moves ahead to score one of many tries - Pic by Shane Seneviratne
Royal College flexed their rugby muscles in style, outplaying Sri Sumangala College Kandy by 53-3 in a one-sided Dialog Schools League Rugby 2025 encounter played at a rain-drenched, mud-soaked Bogambara Stadium yesterday.
The Royalists, known for their hard-running backs and burly forwards, turned the game into a virtual one-way traffic contest from the first whistle, leading 39-3 at the break before sealing the deal in the second half. Royal scored eight tries, five conversions and a penalty to accumulate their 53 points, while the home team, Sri Sumangala College, managed only three points through a penalty kick.
The pitch resembled a paddy field after heavy downpours, but the lads from Reid Avenue showed no signs of slowing down, running in eight tries despite the treacherous underfoot conditions. Flyhalf Idris Farouk had a splendid outing with the boot, slotting home six conversions and a penalty under challenging circumstances.
It took Royal just 10 minutes to open their account. Loosehead prop Naqeeb Mohamed bulldozed his way over the line through the sticky surface for the first try, and Farouk made no mistake with the conversion. Four minutes later, centre Ishen Hiran made a beautiful angled run, latching onto a slick backhand pass to score mid-right. Farouk bisected the uprights again to stretch the lead to 14-0.
The hosts were reduced to 14 men in the 18th minute when Sachin Sanduka was yellow-carded for a reckless tackle, and Royal capitalised immediately. Referee Ishanka Abeykoon awarded a penalty try after persistent infringements, taking the score to 19-0.
The Colombo school kept their foot on the gas. Fullback Yuvan Pathirana scored under the posts after a classy backline move, and Farouk’s conversion ensured Royal secured their bonus point with the fourth try as early as the 21st minute.
Hiran crossed over again for his second try in the 30th minute, this time unconverted. Farouk then added a penalty to push the tally to 34-0.
Sri Sumangala finally got on the board through a penalty by fly-half Samarakoon in the 34th minute, much to the delight of the home supporters braving the weather. But Royal had the final say in the half, with Pathirana sprinting down the blind side for another unconverted try. At half-time, it read 39-3 — a commanding advantage for the visiting Royalists.
The second half saw Royal continue to enjoy territorial and possession dominance. Winger Didula Jayasuriya, having a memorable season, dived over in the left corner for his sixth try of the tournament in the 48th minute. Farouk showed his kicking prowess, converting from a difficult angle in the sticky conditions to extend the lead to 46-3.
The final nail in the coffin came through skipper and winger Amika Samarasinghe, who finished off a sweeping move in the 69th minute. Farouk added the extras to round off a comprehensive 53-3 victory.