Well-drilled Royal College managed to defeat Wesley College by 29 points (5T, 2C) to 21 points (2T, 1C, 1P, 2DG) in the 3rd quarter-final of the Milo President’s Trophy 2016 on Monday at Royal Sports Complex.

The Royalists played an expansive brand of rugby to use their backs and forwards quite well to put out a different game plan to book their place in the semi-finals where they will take on the winner of S. Thomas’ College vs Zahira College clash.

Wesley College first five-eighth Murshaid Zubair kicked off proceedings on a hot and humid evening. Zubair opened scoring in the 3rd minute when he booted a superb 25-meter drop goal after a few good attacking phases inside the Royal territory. (Wesley 03 – Royal 00)

Just 7 minutes into the game, Royal took Wesley by surprise when they spread the ball wide and allowed center Janidu Dilshan to break through the cover defence and off-load to Saabith Feroze who dived over the try line. Fly-half Ovin Askey missed the conversion. (Wesley 03 – Royal 05)

Askey had a poor start with the boot when he missed out on a conventional penalty kick in the 16th minute but his team-mate, lock-forward Ashen Fernando put Royal further in front in the 20th minute when he barged over the try-line after a few continuous phase-play by the boys from Reid Avenue. Askey once again failed to add extra points. (Wesley 03 – Royal 10)

With the game-clock on 30 minutes, the Royalists brought out their main weapon, ‘the rolling maul’ as hooker Azmir Fajudeen touched down with ease. Askey finally found his form to bisect the posts’. (Wesley 03 – Royal 17)

After occupying themselves mostly in their own territory, the Double Blues managed to enter the Royal 22’ after building up a few attacking phases and eventually got a reward through a penalty when a Royal player was infringed for not releasing. Scrum-half Avishka Lee had no problems in booting over the 15-meter penalty just minutes before the half-time whistle. (Wesley 06 – Royal 17)

Half-Time: Royal College 17 (3T,1C) – Wesley College 06 (1P, 1DG)

After lemons, Royal half-back Ashok Wijekumar kicked off proceedings. The Wesley lads showed much better intent in keeping possession but the Royalists completely dominated breakdowns.

Just 10-minutes into the second half, Royal once again initiated the driving maul to great effect as Azmir Fajudeen scored his second try comfortably. Askey missed the conversion. (Wesley 06 – Royal 22)

Wesley were deprived of territory and possession for most of the 2nd half until they entered the Royal 22’ for the first time in the second half where skipper, Zayan Sabar scored after the Royal forward pack was penalized for illegal scrummaging. Avishka Lee bisected the uprights (Wesley 13 – Royal 22)

With the final quarter of the match approaching, Royal were once again looking to score a try through their rolling maul but surprisingly Harith Lokugamage broke off from the maul and scored through the blind side near the left corner flag. Askey made a brilliant touchline conversion to put the game beyond Wesley’s reach. (Wesley 13 – Royal 29)

The game went into the auto-pilot mode with both teams inserting fresh legs onto the park even though six minutes before the final whistle, Wesley had momentum behind them when the replacement fly-half Tharindu Walpita neatly booted over a 26-meter drop goal.

In the final move of the match, winger Dineru Ranaweera scored an unconverted consolation try but it was a little too late for the Double Blues as they ended their season while Royal live to fight another day.

The story of the day for Wesley was showcasing shades of brilliance throughout the game but not being able to convert them into try-scoring opportunities whereas Royal maximized their opportunities whenever it arrived.

Full-Time: Royal College 29 (5T,2C) – Wesley College 21 (2T, 1C, 1P, 2DG)

Referee – Priya Suranga
ThePapare Player of the Match – Ashen Fernando (Royal Lock Forward)

Points Scorers:

Royal College – Azmir Fajudeen 10 points (2 tries), Harith Lokugamage 5 points (1 try), Ashen Fernando 5 points (1 try), Saabith Feroze 5 points (1 try), Ovin Askey 4 points (2 conversions)

Wesley College – Zayan Sabar 5 points (1 try), Dineru Ranaweera 5 points (1 try), Murshaid Zubair 3 points (1 Drop Goal), Avishka Lee 5 points (1 conversion, 1 Penalty), Tharindu Walpita 3 points (1 Drop Goal)

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