Royal thump Joes
Royal College produced a power-packed and clinical display to shatter the unbeaten run of St. Joseph’s College with a commanding 33-14 victory in their Dialog Schools Rugby League 2025 encounter played at the Royal College Sports Complex on Friday.
Royal powered their way to a thumping victory, crossing the whitewash for five tries and four conversions in a dominant display, while a brave St. Joseph’s outfit replied with two converted tries to register 14 points in a spirited but ultimately futile fightback.
The Reid Avenue School dominated proceedings from the outset, scoring within the first 20 seconds when winger Didula Jayasuriya — the tournament’s leading try scorer — pounced on a deflected kick to touch down for his eighth try of the season.
Royal extended their lead through powerful prop Yoshitha Jayasekara, who crashed under the posts, followed by a well-worked effort from centre Hiruka Jayanidu, awarded after the TMO review. Flyhalf Idris Farouk was flawless with his conversions as Royal surged to a 19-0 lead. The Josephians fought back late in the first half through flanker Inosh Silva, whose try and skipper Beeshma Jayasekara’s conversion made it 7-19 at the break.
After the resumption, Royal skipper Amika Samarasinghe powered over for a well-deserved try, with Farouk adding the extras. Flanker Senuja Ranasinghe then combined superbly with Farouk to produce the try of the match, stretching the lead to 33-7. Despite a sin-bin setback for Royal’s burly prop Yoshitha Jayasekara, St. Joseph’s rallied with a determined effort from lock Janith Marasinghe, converted by Jayasekara. But the late push wasn’t enough to prevent Royal from sealing a comprehensive win.