The dominant Green Machine executed an exceptional first-half attack to down a spirited Zahira College and secure a 38-27 win in their Week 4 fixture of the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2025, played at the Zahira College grounds.
The Zahirians kicked things off with a deep kickoff, but Pathana managed to clear with a strong kick. A few minutes later, Zahira powered their way towards the try line with a driving maul, and Isipathana were penalized for illegally stopping it. Zahira fullback Abdullah Hasan took a quick tap on the 5-meter line and easily went over to score the first try of the match. (IC 00 – 05 ZC)
Isipathana College hit back almost immediately. After earning a line-out and setting up a rolling maul, hooker Kaveen Jayasinghe crashed over the line. Avishka Hiran slotted a brilliant conversion from a difficult angle. (IC 07 – 05 ZC)
Soon after, Isipathana remained in Zahira’s red zone. Scrum-half Sithupa Bometh spotted a gap on the blind side of the ruck and darted through for their second try. (IC 12 – 05 ZC)
In the 14th minute, Zahira College earned a penalty for Isipathana holding onto the ball, and Thuan Raheem made no mistake with the kick. (IC 12 – 08 ZC)
Later, Isipathana attacked deep in Zahira’s half. The Green Machine didn’t look back from there—their heavy forwards laid the foundation, and the backs did their job. Avishka Hiran sold a dummy and cut inside to score. He then converted his own try. (IC 19 – 08 ZC)
In the 29th minute, Pathana turned up the pressure. After a few pick-and-go plays near Zahira’s line, the ball was worked out to the backs, and inside center Adithya Madushan broke through to score the bonus-point try. Hiran added the extras with ease. (IC 26 – 08 ZC)
Although the last five to six minutes of the first half were action-packed, neither team managed to score again.
Half Time: Isipathana College 26 (4T, 3C) – Zahira College 08 (1T, 1P)
In the second half, Isipathana skipper Thinethra Dodangoda made his mark with a brilliant play, blocking a clearance kick from the Zahira fly-half and scoring from the rebound. Avishka Hiran converted once again. (IC 33 – 08 ZC)
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Zahira responded by entering the Isipathana 22 and earning a penalty advantage due to an offside. Abandoning their usual pick-and-go strategy, Zahira shifted the ball wide. Winger Binuk Perera finished a well-executed move with a magnificent dive in the corner. He then nailed a superb conversion to cut the deficit. (IC 33 – 15 ZC)
The 47th minute brought a major twist. Referee Raveen Alexander spotted Isipathana’s Kaveen Jayasinghe committing a dangerous neck tackle and issued a straight red card due to direct contact to the ball carrier’s neck.
Zahira quickly capitalized. From the resulting penalty, they found touch five meters out. The ensuing line-out led to a strong rolling maul, and flanker Iyaad Yusuf scored. Binuk Perera continued his excellent kicking form with a difficult conversion, bringing Zahira within reach. (IC 33 – 22 ZC)
Isipathana soon had a chance to stretch the lead through a penalty, but Hiran was off target. Although Zahira had the momentum, they gave away multiple penalties—most of them for offside at the ruck—undermining their comeback hopes.
Taking advantage, Isipathana advanced close to the Zahira try line. Winning a line-out, they appeared to set up for a rolling maul, but Damsara Witharana broke away and scored, catching the Zahirians off guard. Hiran, however, missed the conversion. (IC 38 – 22 ZC)
In the dying stages, Zahira showed determination to pull off a dramatic comeback, hoping to exploit their numerical advantage. They progressed into Isipathana’s 22 after a penalty and executed a pick-and-go. Noticing the Isipathana defense stacked on the open side, Zahira cleverly used the blind side and scored through Zain Zahim for their bonus-point try. The conversion went wide. (IC 38 – 27 ZC)
With the restart, Isipathana returned to Zahira’s half and launched a well-structured attack. Zahira again conceded penalties, boosting the Green Machine’s confidence. However, Pathana also made some errors and missed a scoring opportunity. Still, from a tactical standpoint, they were satisfied with spending time in Zahira’s half, managing the clock effectively.
Zahira made one last push, showing skill and heart. But poor finishing and handling errors—likely due to pressure—meant they couldn’t add to their score.
Until the final whistle, Zahira failed to breach the defense again, giving Isipathana College a tense but commanding victory. The effort of the Pathana lads, especially playing with 14 men, deserves praise. They stood strong as a unit and held on to the game like true champions—the Kings of Schools Rugby.
Full Time : Isipathana College 38 (6T, 4C) – Zahira College 27 (4T, 2C, 1P)
Swisstek Perfect Player of the Match: Nevitha Mevnaka (Isipathana College)
Points Breakdown
Isipathana College – 38
Kaveen Jayasinghe 1T, Sithupa Bometh 1T, Adithya Madushan 1T, Thinethra Dodangoda 1T, Avishka Hiran 1T 4C, Damsara Witharana 1T
Zahira College – 27
Abdullah Hasan 1T, Binuk Perera 1T 2C, Iyaad Yusuf 1T, Zain Zahim 1T, Thuan Raheem 1P
