Text by: M. Shamil Amit / PIx by: Nisal Baduge

Royal made it to the quarter final of the Dialog Schools Knockout tournament with a close four-point win over Kingswood in the quarter final encounter played at Longdon Place.

Royal was made to put in their full resources as they were given a torrid time and underwent some anxious moments before being able to pull off a win in the latter stages of the second half. In fact, they were trailing 7-17 at the breather and accumulated their points from four goals to the two goals and tries scored by Kingswood.

The first half saw Kingswood having the Royal supporters on pins as they succeeded in scoring back-to-back tries within the space of seven minutes, with the first in the seventh minute by winger Sadew Amarasuriya and the other in the 14th minute by fly half Ashiq Asmi.

But Royal struck back two minutes later and succeeded in decreasing the deficit, with hooker Nakeeb Mohamed going over for a try with fly half Idris Farook making the conversion. From here on, the two sides shared honours, but in the 27th minute, Kingswood, making a sporadic move, succeeded in breaching the Royal defence, with full back Rivin Badurdeen going over for a try which he himself converted for Kingswood to lead 17-7. With no more scoring being done, the score stood in favour of Kingswood at the breather.

On resumption, Royal went into the attack and had Kingswood under pressure and went on to make the first scoring in this session with the game eight minutes old, with prop Asanka Yatawara making the scoring and Farook adding the extra points.

Royal kept up their momentum and succeeded in taking over the lead in the 20th minute from a try scored by centre Okitha Mudunkotuwa, and in-form kicker Farook made no mistake with the conversion as Royal led 21-17.

With Royal being in the territory of Kingswood for most part of this session, the Kingswoodians going into the attack for the first time made use of the opportunity they got, as in a melee, second row, Dilshan Akila crept through the Royal defence in the 29th minute for a try under the post, which gave Rizvin Badurdeen an easy kick at goal.

But that was short-lived, as four minutes in, Royal, in a do-or-die effort, managed to breach Kingswood, with second-row Disas going for a try down the left corner flag, and Farook’s fantastic kick at goal almost sealed the game for Royal, and as for Kingswood it turned out to be near but yet so far.

Referee: Gihan Yatawara