Defending champions Royal College scraped through against St. Anthony’s College, to record a close 22 points to 12 win in the Dialog Schools Rugby tournament played at the Royal Complex ground in Reid Avenue on Friday. 

Royal having led 10-05 at the breather made up their points from a goal and three tries, to a goal and a try scored by St Anthony’s.

The Royalists scored first with a try by centre Kaveen Sasanga which was followed by a second try scored by Hasnaka Higgoda, who fluffed both conversions. The Antonians decreased the lead through an unconverted try scored by winger T Dissanayake before the short whistle was blown.

The turn-around saw Royal scoring back to back tries from winger Navin Perera with Bimsara Peirs booting over one conversion. In the dying stages skipper and No 8 Jeyan Amarasinghe went over for a try for the Antonians which was converted, but it could not prevent Royal from taking the win.

Photo: Action from the match between Royal College and St. Anthony's College (Pic by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe)