Zahira College ran in 10 tries to overpower Mahanama College 58-17 in their final first-round fixture of the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2025, held at the Zahira College Grounds in Maradana.
It was the visitors who struck first, immediately from the exit play off the kickoff.
Playmaker Sithum Sandeepa collected the clearance and carved through Zahira’s defence with a blistering 40-meter run. He then offloaded to winger Mandilu Nemsara, who took play close to the whitewash before flanker Chamiru Methsanda finished the move by sneaking through on the blindside to score the opening try.
(ZC 00–05 MC)
Zahira responded instantly. Fly-half Basith Feroz created the break with a solid dummy and clever footwork to take the ball deep into Mahanama territory. He offloaded to loosehead prop Zain Hassan, who made a powerful carry and was stopped inches from the line. Tighthead prop Ahamed Arafath picked from the base and crashed over to level the scores.
(ZC 05–05 MC)
After a brief stalemate, Zahira struck again. Scrum-half Afam Abdeen capitalized on a dummy run by his forwards off a penalty tap before finding centre Luqman Ul Hakeem, who sliced through the defence to score the second try. Soon after, Zahira’s backs combined with slick handling across the width of the field to create space for fullback Abdulla Hassan, who dived over in the corner for their third try.
(ZC 15–05 MC)
The home side continued to pile on the pressure. No. 8 Muzil Samath broke through the middle with a barnstorming run, linking up with Rifnaz Rimsad, who added further meters with a dummy and a few silky sidesteps to get into the red zone. From the ruck, Afam Abdeen dummied and darted through to score the bonus-point try, with Basith Feroz adding the conversion.
Half-time: Zahira College 22 (4T, 1C) – Mahanama College 05 (1T)
The hosts flew out of the blocks in the second half, as scrum-half Afam Abdeen once again caught the defence napping with a quick tap. He broke through the Mahanama line before slick hands from the backs quickly shifted the ball out wide to winger Imad Inaam, who rounded the final defender to score under the posts. Basith Feroz added the extras to stretch Zahira’s lead.
(ZC 29–05 MC)
Zahira’s dominance continued as they produced some sparkling rugby. From a well-executed set move, the centre pairing put on a show—Luqman Ul Hakeem delivered a perfectly timed offload to Binuk Perera, who sliced through the Mahanama defence with ease to score. Zahira struck again shortly after through Luqman Ul Hakeem with another set-piece move, finishing off another fluid passage of play. Basith Feroz calmly slotted over both conversions.
(ZC 43–05 MC)
The forwards then joined the scoring party as Zahira drove over from a rolling maul, with Sahib Ishan crashing over for another try. Moments later, the home side spread the ball from right to left effortlessly, opening space for fullback Abdulla Hassan to go over untouched in the corner, further stamping their authority on the game.
(ZC 53–05 MC)
After more than 50 minutes without a reply, Mahanama finally found a breakthrough. From a solid scrum platform, Malinka Danuja delivered a crisp pass to playmaker Sithum Sandeepa, who spotted a gap and darted through to score under the posts. He converted his own try to reduce the deficit.
(ZC 53–12 MC)
Despite conceding, Zahira showed no signs of slowing down. Iyaad Fazloon made a brilliant line break before floating a superb overhead pass to winger Ghani Saraph, who coasted over for another Zahira try.
(ZC 58–12 MC)
In the dying stages, Mahanama grabbed a consolation try through winger Tharindu Silva, but the day belonged to Zahira College, who sealed a commanding win with a 10-try performance.
Full Time: Zahira College 58 (10T,4C) – Mahanama College 18 (3T,1C)
- Swisstek Perfect Player of the Match: Luqman Ul Hakeem (Zahira College)
Points Breakdown
Zahira College 58
Ahamed Arafath 1T, Luqman Ul Hakeem 2T, Abdulla Hassan 2T, Afam Abdeen 1T, Imad Inaam 1T, Binuk Perera 1T, Sahib Ishan 1T, Ghani Saraph 1T, Basith Feroz 4C
Mahanama College 18
Chamiru Methsanda 1T, Tharindu Silva 1T, Sithum Sandeepa 1T,1C
