Royal College overcame a scrappy first half performance to beat Science College and win their Dialog Schools Rugby League opener played at Royal Complex today (26th April 2026).
After a tight opening passage, it was Simak Shafeek who broke the deadlock after he perfectly read a set play from Science and made a timely interception before converting his own try. (RC 07 – 00 SC)
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Science College then applied some good pressure and came close to scoring, but were held up on a couple of occasions. They chose to cut their losses and opted for a regulation three pointer in the 23rd minute. (RC 07 – 03 SC)
Royal responded quickly through a piece of individual brilliance from Kavan Ekanayake, who stepped past the Science College back three in a thirty meter sprint to touch down under the posts. (RC 14 – 03 SC)
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After more sustained pressure, Science College scored their only try when Minula Abeydeera took full advantage of the tiniest of gaps in the hosts defence.
Half Time – Royal College 14 (2T, 2C) – 10 (1T, 1C, 1P) Science College
It was one way traffic in the second half, right from kickoff. Senuja Ranasinghe charged down the visitors’ exit kick and allowed his forwards to attack the fringes. After some quick phases, Skipper Disas Pathirana touched down to give the Royalists a perfect start. (RC 19 – 10 SC)
Royal College secured their bonus point in the 40th minute through Dinuka Perera, who stepped past the last defender to finish off a well worked set move off the back of a scrum. Shafeek was successful with the conversion. (RC 26 – 10 SC)
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Shafeek added his second after selling a lovely dummy before diving over untouched from 5 metres out after more pressure from the home team. A score which in hindsight, put the game to bed. (RC 33 – 10 SC)
Royal persistently exploited the short side before Ekanayake eventually went over for his brace before the home team put the cherry on top through one of their trademark rolling mauls to round out a clinical second half performance.
Full Time – Royal College 43 (7T, 4C) – 10 (1T, 1C, 1P) Science College
Swisstek Perfect Player of the Match – Simak Shafeek (RC)
Points Breakdown
Royal College – 43
Simak Shafeek – 2T, 4C, Kavan Ekanayake – 2T,
Dinuka Perera- 1T, Disas Pathirana – 1T, Akira Yatawara – 1T
Science College- 10
Minula Abeydeera – 1T, Oshada Fonseka- 1C, 1P
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