S. Thomas’ College held off a determined late surge from Kingswood College to seal a thrilling 29-28 win in their opening week clash of the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2025, played at the S. Thomas’ College Grounds, Mount Lavinia.
Rivin Sashen kicked off the much-anticipated Week One fixture, and it didn’t take long for drama to unfold. S. Thomas’ College skipper Venuka Wickramasuriya fumbled the kickoff, gifting Kingswood College an early scrum inside the 22-meter line. From the set-piece, flanker-turned-No. 8 Akila Dilshan broke away powerfully to bring play within striking distance. The forwards followed up with patient carries before the towering No. 8 Maduranga Pushpakumara bulldozed his way over the line under the posts. Sashen slotted over the straightforward conversion to give Kingswood an early 7-0 lead.(STC 00-07 KCK)
The game remained tight for the next ten minutes until Kingswood conceded a penalty for offside near the 40-meter mark. S. Thomas’ opted for touch, and from the resulting lineout, they executed a strong rolling maul. No. 8 Mckyle Karunarathne powered through to bring them close to the line, before hooker Amaan Imran crashed over from the ruck to score. Mayanka Dias converted to level the scores. (STC 07-07 KCK)
The Thomians continued their momentum shortly after. Sustained phase play near the Kingswood 22-meter line saw flanker Tieshya Aluwihare break through the defense, advancing play to within five meters. A few pick-and-go phases later, Karunarathne forced his way over the whitewash for his team’s second try, which Dias again converted to make it 14-7. (STC 14-07 KCK)
Just before halftime, Thomians won an attacking lineout inside Kingswood territory thanks to an excellent contest by Jehan Wanigasooriya. However, a lapse in concentration saw the ball bounce loose. Kingswood flanker Chanidu Adikari was alert to the opportunity, pounced on the ball, and ran through untouched for a vital try. Sashen added the extras to level the game 14-all at the break.
Half Time: S. Thomas’ College 14 (2T,2C) – Kingswood College 14 (2T,2C)
The hosts flew out of the blocks in the second half. Kingswood scrum half Thaveesha Ekanayake looked to run from deep inside his half, but Thomian prop Sithil Perera produced a brilliant turnover. S. Thomas’ skipper Venuka Wickramasuriya reacted quickly, spinning the ball blindside to his two flankers. Shalin Wanigasooriya took on the final two defenders before offloading to his partner Tieshya Aluwihare, who dotted down in the corner. Mayanka Dias nailed a superb conversion from the touchline to extend the lead. (STC 21-14 KCK)
The Thomians continued their momentum through a driving maul from a lineout. Though Kingswood managed to halt the initial surge, the home side kept the pressure on with pick-and-drive phases before the powerful tighthead prop Sithil Perera crashed over to secure the bonus-point try for the Mount Lavinia outfit. (STC 26-14 KCK)
The lead grew further when Kingswood hooker Duleesha Rasanjana was penalized for a high tackle. Skipper Wickramasuriya pointed to the posts, and Dias calmly slotted the penalty. (STC 29-14 KCK)
Kingswood weren’t done yet. In the final five minutes, loosehead prop Thulshan Madugalle broke through the Thomian defence from the 22-meter line to get within striking distance. The ball was spun out wide, and centre Ashik Asmi finished the move with a try under pressure. Sashen converted to keep the game alive. (STC 29-21 KCK)
Moments later, drama struck. Kingswood winger Sadew Amarasuriya intercepted a pass and kicked ahead from halfway. Sachintha Naveesha collected the bouncing ball and headed for the corner. Thomian fullback Seneshka Liyanagunawardena made a desperate tackle but failed to release the ball carrier. Referee Raveen Alexander, after checking the replay, awarded a penalty try and issued a yellow card, cutting the Thomian lead to just two points.
In a tense final minute, the Thomians showed composure, retaining possession and winding down the clock to secure a dramatic 29–28 victory and open their 2025 campaign with a hard-fought win.
Full Time: S. Thomas’ College 29 (4T,3C,1P) – Kingswood College 28 (4T,4C)
- Swisstek Perfect Player of the Match: Mckyle Karunarathne (S. Thomas’ College)
Points Breakdown
S. Thomas’ College 29
Amaan Imran 1T, Mckyle Karunarathne 1T, Tieshya Aluwihare 1T, Sithil Perera 1T, Mayanka Dias 3C,1P
Kingswood College 28
Maduranga Pushpakumara 1T, Chanidu Adikari 1T, Ashik Asmi 1T, Rivin Sashen 3C, Penalty try.
