SriLanka, May 24 -- Royal College retained the Michael Gunaratne Trophy with a fighting 29 points (two goals, three tries) to 24 (two goals, two tries) victory over traditional rivals S. Thomas' College in their Inter-Schools Under-19 League Rugby Tournament encounter played at the Royal Sports Complex yesterday, after leading 12-5 at the breather.

The Reid Avenue School, despite being reduced to 14-men after a red card, showed tremendous courage to seal a thrilling win and book their place in the Cup Segment while the Thomians were pushed into the Plate Segment.

Royal made an aggressive start and struck first in the eighth minute when full back Hewage crashed over following a powerful driving maul. Fly half Shimak Shafeek added the ex...