Constructive rugby in the second half by Royal College gave them a resounding 44 points to 3 points victory over Zahira College in the Dialog Schools League rugby encounter played at the Royal Sports Complex yesterday.
After the scores stood at 3-all at half time through a penalty each, Royal came back with fresh plans to dish out constructive rugby with power and mobility to run riot and ended up scoring six tries, four of them being converted and two penalties that earned a bonus point as well.
The defence of both sides stood out in the first half that never saw either side cross the goal line. Zahira defence was tight with their forwards tackling resolutely and so was the Royal defence that came up with crucial tackles when the Zahirians were on the offensive.
However, though Royal kept possession among themselves they were not allowed to breach the tight defence put up by Zahira. On the other hand Zahira had a few chances to put Royal under pressure with their penetrative runs, but they kicked possession away.
Royal opened scoring in the eleventh minute when Zahira were spotted off side in a loose maul and Sinak Shafeek put over the penalty from 24 metres out.
Zahira found the equaliser in the 20th minute when Royal forwards were not moving away in a loose maul. Full back Ahamed Saad made the easy conversion from 15 metres out in front of the posts.
Royal began the second half with a penalty by Sinak Shafeek and from that point onwards it was all Royal. Disas Pathirana scored the first of his two tries in the 48th minute to give Royal the confidence to move ahead.
Thereafter Royal forwards took control and their tries were scored by Kavinesh Srikanth, Thanvir Hassen, Yasiru Seneviratne, Akeef Akram and Pathirana the final try for Royal.
The conversions were taken by Nabil Yahiya in the latter part of the second half.
Aruna Shantha refereed.