Royal tame Trinity Lions in Bradby first leg to take Singer League

By Shamseer Jaleel

Royal College triumphed over their traditional rivals Trinity College by 22 points (3 tries, 2 conversions, 1 penalty) to 17 points (3 tries, 1 conversion) at the Trinity College Rugby Stadium in Pallekelle in front of a capacity crowd. 

The win also lifted Royal to the top of the Singer League 2017, pushing Trinity down to second position. This gave them the Singer League title, an accolade they last secured under Banuka in 2015. The Trinitians’ wait continues as it has been three decades since they last won the title in 1987 under Tyrell Rajapakse.

As expected by all, the game was a battle between Trinity’s forwards and Royal’s three-quarter line. Although Trinity had a weight advantage they could not gain an advantage through their mobile forwards. Their basics need to be put in place in the forward line before they travel down to Colombo for the second leg in two weeks’ time. Once again Royal hooker Hamza Reza had a grand game, and along with Shabith Feroze broke through Trinity’s defensive ranks a number of times without much effort.

For Trinity Dilukshe Dange, Warren Weerakoon and Rashen Bandaranyake played well but a number of times if the line was more unselfish they could have planted at least two to three tries and turned the game around. The triumphant try-scorers for Royal were Hirushan, Ashan Fernando and Hamza Reza. Shaqir Nawfer converted two and put over a penalty. Meanwhile, Reshan Banradanayake, Lashan Wijesuriya and Warren Weerakoon scored tries for the losing Lions. Lashan was accurate with one of the try conversions. The game was refereed by Dinka Peiris. Trinity 1981 rugby skipper Tikiri Elleopola was the Chief Guest.

Trinity won the Under-18 contest, beating Royal 5-0 while the Under-16 game ended in Royal’s favours as they clinched it 17-12.

The second leg will played at the Royal Sports Complex on 3 June.