Royal College put up a flawless display to outplay Zahira College by 34 points (5 tries, 3 conversions, 1 penalty) to 7 (a try, a conversion) in their inter-school league rugby encounter for the Dialog Trophy at Maradana yesterday.
It was an improved performance by Royal who combined as a team well and rounded up as many as five tries to show that they are tuning themselves to face stiffer opponents in the future games.
They ran up three tries in the first half with their cohesive game plan and used their heavier players to pierce the Zahira defence.
Royal scored in the 15th minute when number eight Ayyash Shiyam hit a gap off a three-quarter move to score.
Nabeel Yahiya converted with ease. Royal scored again in the 28th minute when they won a five-metre line-out and used the rolling maul to good effect with Naqeeb Mohamed going over.
This try was not converted but seven minutes later Naqeeb Mohamed once again was at hand to go over for his second try.
Yahiya converted this try with Royal leading 19-0 at half time.
Zahira opened scoring in the second half when a good move in the open saw their centres pierce the defence and Abdul Hassan forced his way over the line.
Basit Feroz converted with ease.
However, Royal came back strongly and earned a penalty five minutes later. Nabeel Yahiya kicked right to increase on their score to 22 points.
Royal continued to dominate with their forwards and
Zahira’s backs failed to handle the ball well and after a few fumbles Royal’s Althaf Aman was quick to follow a move and fell on the ball that was over the line. Nabeel Yahiya converted to give them a comfortable lead, 29-7.
Royal finished off in style when they were offered a penalty and on running the ball Yahiya sent Yoshitha Jayasekera over by the corner flag.
The conversion was missed but Royal took a comfortable lead 34-7.
Gihan Yatawara refereed.
