Royal College prevailed in the end with a few purposeful moved to beat S. Thomas’ College and retain the Michael Gunaratne Trophy in their traditional schools rugby encounter played at the Royal Sports Complex yesterday.
The Thomians led by just one point until the four minutes from the finish but Royal came back strongly with some constructive moves.
Their three-quarters got moving and sent full back Yuwan Nisalitha over to score with three minute to the end for the match-winning try as Idris Farouk to make the final score 26-20 in favour of the home team.
Before that Royal scored a try by Ayyash Shiyam in the 51st minute to be just one point behind the Thomian score at19-20.
This gave them the courage to move the ball about and add to their tally.
The first half was well contested by both teams with either side taking turns to attack.
Royal scored first in the second minute when they used a rolling maul and had the opportunity to send the ball out as winger Fahad Nazaar had an open field to score.
Idris Farouk made the conversion easily.
The Thomians scored next through a penalty for an infringement and their reliable place kicker Yehan Bulathsinhalage kicked right.
Royal scored next in the 26th minute when through a rolling maul Yewan Nisalitha going over. Farouk converted and Royal took a comfortable lead 12-3.
But Thomians spirits rose with enthusiasm especially among their heavier forwards and scored in the 29th minute when hooker Dehan Senaratne went over to touch down.
Bulathsinhalage converted to catch up 10-12. With the short whistle closing in the Thomians were given a penalty and they opted to find touch near the Royal goal line.
They won the line out and used the rolling maul to good effect for Dehan Senaratne to score his second try with the push over.
Bulathsinhalage converted and the Thomians took the lead 17-12 at the turn around.
Clement Isaack refereed.
