Royal outplayed Trinity to win by 15 points to 5. Trinity were lucky not to concede more points.
Scrum and Engage presented by SriLankaSports.com with Christopher Jordashe
Script: Brian Thomas
Edited: Christopher Jordashe
Thirteen handling errors, ten infringements, missed tackles — and the league champions looked done and dusted from the get-go, as Royal’s defence and tactics were simply too good for the Lions.
Trinity’s big names — Shan Altaf, Neth Kumarasinghe, Yathalige, and even Usman Shafraz — never came to the party. Royal’s defence was excellent, a well-thought-out game plan, and the execution by coach Lewke paid dividends.
Stonewall defence made the difference.
Trinity had an opportunity to score in the 2nd minute of the game through an easy penalty, but Shan Altaf’s conversion was off target — the bad omen continued until the end.
Royal scored their first try off a breakdown move, spreading the ball wide for skipper Samarasinghe to get past the whitewash with ease. The Trinity defence looked out of sorts.
Twelve minutes into the game, Trinity created another unforced error, and Yathalige just couldn’t collect the high ball. The scrum led Royal into their favourite pick-and-drive maul, and the Trinity defence faltered, allowing Royal to go 12–0 up with a converted try.
I’ve never seen Trinity mishandle so many passes — even in the first round of the league, where we saw glimpses of handling errors. Royal had 70% possession, and Trinity looked helpless in defending the heavier Royal forwards, who kept play deep in Trinity territory.
A rare error by the Royal half-back gave Trinity an advantage in the 25th minute. Off a 15-metre scrum, Shan Altaf executed an excellent wrap-around pass for the Trinity half-back to score mid-right, but the conversion went far right.
Royal took the half-time break with a 10-point lead. Trinity, who conceded so many infringements, once again gifted Royal an easy penalty conversion in front of the posts in the 30th minute. Royal took lemons riding high with a 10-point lead — 15 points to 5.
Scoreless second half.
Trinity were in the Royal half for almost 25 minutes. Royal were restricted to 14 players due to mitigation.
Trinity just couldn’t cross the visitors’ whitewash. Royal’s defence was excellent. Trinity looked jaded. I’d say the second leg is definitely in favour of the Royalists based on today’s display — Trinity seem done and dusted for the season. One wonders whether they peaked too early, having now lost their last two games.
Sadly, Trinity coach Fazil Marjah had no choice but to even bench Altaf, Weerakoon, and Neth Kumarasinghe, as these three were struggling badly and not performing like impact players.
This is a right Royal win — period. A 10-point lead might not look big, but playing in the Lions’ den, it looks a Herculean task.
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