Royal College made a commanding start to their season, overpowering Kingswood College with a resounding 60-5 victory in their opening encounter of the Dialog ‘A’ Division Schools Rugby League match at Reid Avenue yesterday after leading 27-5 at halftime.
The home team, last year’s league runner-up, displayed their prowess by scoring 10 tries and converting five while Kingswood could only manage a solitary try.
The match began with a bang for the Royalists as Didula Jayasuriya scored the first try just two minutes in, following a seamless combination of forward and three-quarter play that breached Kingswood’s defense. Although the try was unconverted, it set the tone for Royal’s dominance, giving them an early 5-0 lead.
Kingswood responded quickly, leveling the score at 5-5 with a try in the eighth minute under overcast conditions. However, this was to be their only score of the game.
Royal regained the lead in the 12th minute when Didula Jayasuriya, once again breaking through Kingswood’s defense near the right corner flag, scored another try. MI Farouk’s successful conversion extended Royal’s lead to 12-5.
Royal’s third try came in the 21st minute following a clinical driving maul, pushing their advantage to 17-5. Seven minutes later, Royal scored their fourth try, earning a bonus point as they stretched their lead to 22-5.
Before halftime, flanker SB Ranasinghe touched down after another driving maul in the 32nd minute, further cementing Royal’s dominance with a 27-5 lead at the break.
The second half continued in similar fashion, with Royal fullback Jayadi Jayanindu showcasing his speed to breach Kingswood’s defense and score under the posts in the 44th minute. Farouk’s conversion pushed the score to 34-5.
Farouk added another try and conversion in the 51st minute, making it 41-5.
In the 60th minute, fullback Yuthum Pathirana and Didula Jayasuriya combined effectively, allowing Jayasuriya to score another try and Farouk’s conversion took the score to 48-5.
Yuthum Pathirana set up another try for Royal’s skipper in the 67th minute, marking the half-century with a score of 53-5.
In the closing stages of the match, fullback Yoshitha Sithumina finished off another try, running long to touch down under the posts. Nabil Yahiya’s conversion sealed the final score at 60-5.
The dominant performance by Royal highlighted their potential for the season.
