In a display of pure dominance and clinical finishing, Wesley College steamrolled past Mahanama College in their pre-quarterfinal clash of the Dialog Schools Rugby Knockouts 2026 – President’s Trophy, securing a mammoth 77 – 03 victory at the Royal Complex. This winning margin was a testament to Wesley’s offensive prowess and their suffocating defence, which left the Mahanama outfit chasing shadows for the majority of the game.
From the starting whistle, it was evident that Wesley College came out with high intensity, refusing to let their opponents settle into any rhythm. Wesley secured possession after a clearance kick and initiated a fierce attack from their forwards. Then the ball switched to the backs, and the open-side winger went through from the right corner and offloaded the ball to fullback Mohammed Fawaz just before the whitewash. He crossed for the first blood of the game and made the conversion himself. (Wesley 07 – 00 Mahanama)
Within seconds Wesley launched another attack deep into Mahanama territory. Fullback Malinka Dhanuja committed foul play by tackling the chasing kicker who was without the ball. The referee sin-binned the tackler while Wesley took a quick tap and scored courtesy of Abdul Rahman. Fawaz nailed another easy conversion to extend the lead. (Wesley 14 – 00 Mahanama)
Shortly, Mahanama made a mess with the restart, resulting in a centre scrummage. Then Wesley earned a 50-22 lineout throw with a magnificent touch finder and attacked with a driving maul. Then forwards did a pressure work before the vice-captain, Pawan Thiranagama, crossed the whitewash for the third try in no time. Fawaz was again good with the conversion. (Wesley 21 – 00 Mahanama)
Then, Mahanama had a scoring chance when the restarting kick went into the in-goal area, but Wesley did well to hold their nerves and to plant an own try. Later, Mahanama had some productive minutes for the first time in this one-sided affair, and they attacked with a lot of heart. Their good work paid immediately as Wesley Tacker was penalised for not rolling away at the deck, and the fly-half Sithum Rathnayake nailed a straight penalty to put some points for Mahanama. (Wesley 21 – 03 Mahanama)
A counterattack came immediately, and Mahanama couldn’t absorb the pressure well and gave away multiple penalties. After taking a quick tap, Wesley attacked with their forwards just before three-quarters came to the party with a fascinating under-the-post try courtesy of Ehren Ali. Then the placekicker, Fawaz, kept impressing the Double Blues, who were gathered in numbers at the Royal Sports Complex. (Wesley, 28 – 03 Mahanama)
A couple of minutes later, Wesley made a clearance kick right onto the 22-metre mark of the opposition, and Mahanama continued their miserable day by making a fumble once again. But the chaser Ehren Ali had the good presence of mind and picked up the knocked-on ball and easily went through for another try amid zero defence. Fawaz made no mistake with the conversion. (Wesley 35 – 03 Mahanama)
Then Mahanama’s playmaker, Sithika Fonseka, was guilty of a dangerous charge, and immediately a marching order was given by the referee by showing a yellow card. It gave a lineout for Wesley inside the red zone of Mahanama, and a classic rolling maul followed. Though Mahanama did well to hinder the success of the maul, Wesley attacked with their forwards, and the big prop forward Abdul Rahman barged his way over the try line by pushing a couple of tacklers. Fawaz never missed his fine rhythm with the boots and nailed the conversion. (Wesley 42 – 03 Mahanama)
At the brink of the half-time Mahanama had a scoring opportunity, but with their indiscipline the chance went begging. Hence, the Double Blues went out for the lemons with a massive lead by putting a big question mark on the minds of Mahanama players.
Halftime : Wesley College 42 (6T, 6C) – 03 Mahanama (1P)
During the second half, Mahanama showcased an improved performance by keeping the big guns of Wesley at bay for over 13 minutes. But after giving away a silly penalty, Wesley struck through a brilliant rolling maul where the Mahanama had no answers against it. By the way, the energetic forward Manuga Jayaweera planted a try from breaking from the backside of the maul just before Fawaz added the extras. (Wesley 49 – 03 Mahanama)
Again, Wesley ambushed Mahanama’s territory and looked dangerous with their attacking flair. This time the three-quarters did an exquisite job with good handling work until the winger Ayan Hussain went through from the left corner and cut back inside to plant an under-the-post try. Fawaz made another successful conversion to extend the lead. (Wesley 56 – 03 Mahanama)
Later, Wesley brought the play into the Mahanama 22-metre area with a timely and pinpoint kick. Here Mahanama made another mistake by playing too many pick-and-drive phases from inside their own red zone. Hence, the hungry Wesley defence made a turnover at lightning speed and counter-attacked with set pieces. After a few powerful drives the man of the day, Abdul Rahman, completed a hat-trick of tries by bulldozing the Mahanama defence from the middle. Fawaz made another conversion by keeping his 100% record with the boot. (Wesley 63 – 03 Mahanama)
Later, a scrummage took place in front of the posts with Wesley throwing. The powerful forward Manuga Jayaweera went for a classic No. 08 break and scored from the middle while Mahanama’s flankers were even out of a clue about the move. This time Rifan Inthikar took the kicking duties and added the extras to grow the Wesley score. (Wesley 70 – 03 Mahanama)
In the dying stage of the game Wesley checked their bench strength, and they delivered a strong statement that they are equally the best as the starting XV. There Wesley received a lineout outside of the 23-metre mark, but the fresh legs drove the maul superbly almost over the try line. A penalty was awarded for collapsing the maul, and Wesley took a quick tap and attacked. Finally, Manuga Jayaweera planted another try just before the right corner flag. The skipper handed over the kicking duties to Ayaan Johar, who delivered a masterpiece conversion from the right touchline. (Wesley 77 – 03 Mahanama)
It was followed by the long whistle, and the Double Blues marched into the quarterfinals by steamrolling the helpless Mahanama outfit.
For Wesley College, this 77 – 03 victory serves as a massive statement of their grit. They have not just won; they have dismantled a rival side with a scoreline that borders on the brutal. As they advance to the quarterfinals, Wesley will be riding a wave of confidence that could carry them deep into the tournament.
The Wesley camp now turn their eyes to the high-stakes encounters, hoping to replicate this devastating form, while Mahanama must regroup and reflect on their mistakes before the commencement of the league tournament.
Fulltime : Wesley College 77 (11 T, 11 C) – 03 Mahanama (1P)
- Swisstek Player of the Match: Abdul Rahman (Wesley College)
Points Breakdown
Wesley College – 77
Mohammed Fawaz 1T, 9C, Abdul Rahman 3T, Manuga Jayaweera 3T, Ehren Ali 2T, Pawan Thiranagama 1T, Ayan Hussain 1T, Rifan Inthikar 1C, Ayaan Johar 1C,
Mahanama College – 03
Sithum Rathnayake 1P
