Heading into Week 3 of the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2026, it was a crucial matchup for both Mahanama and the Joes, as both teams would get a better understanding and an accurate estimate of their position in the race for the Cup, Bowl or Plate Championship. Mahanama showcased a stunning second half comeback to come four points behind the Josephians, but the Josephians made sure to keep their cool when it mattered the most and ran over the white line seven times to secure an important 41 – 25 win over Mahanama College at Air Force Grounds, Rathmalana.
Last week, the Josephians went down to their arch rivals, the Peterites, by a half century to nineteen, losing out on the prestigious Rev. Fr. Basil Weerathunge Shield which they claimed the previous year. They need quite a huge momentum boost with nippy Wesley on their cards next week. Meanwhile, the other side from Bamba had a better performance against the Wesleyites when they faced each other for the second time this year. Clearly seeing signs of improvement, some would say they had quite the slender upper hand as the Joes had been pretty badly hurt after last week’s encounter, and it was Mahanama’s perfect time to strike on the wounded.
Mahanama kicked off proceedings high and deep resulting to the Josephians inability to collect the ball cleanly and making the first error of the game during the first play of the game. From then onwards, possession switched back and forth, with the Blue Jerseys finding space once or twice, but the players could not find the proper grip on the grass, showing that the Josephians were not used to the Air Force Ground atmosphere. Twelve minutes into the game, the Joes opened their account through Dion Peters through a well-constructed maul down the right hand side touchline. Conversion was unsuccessful. Three minutes later, Mahanama gave some good forward play and won a penalty, choosing to take the three points and shorten the deficit. Vihanga Seneth made a pinpoint off the tee. (SJC 05 – 03 MC)
- Thomians storm past hosts Kingswood in Pallekele as discipline woes haunt home side
- Hayleys Mobility Hosts Rugby Legend Kieran Read at Exclusive Cocktail Evening
A draw and pass set move from the Joes backline twenty meters away from their try line, but the ball was knocked on. However Mahanama’s ill-discipline after the whistle was blown in a late tip tackle meant the Joes got away with one, getting a penalty then using their best asset. The rolling maul and that mistake of Bandara meant Joel Ranasinghe touched down for the Joes as they ran away five more points to their tally. For a game that was filled with restarts, both team were unable to regather them cleanly or get out of their halves, as the restarts from Ranasighe’s try were knocked on by the Josephians, and then a deliberate knock on infringement from Shaveen Soyzsa from range meant he was given his time in the naughty chair. Vihanga Sanketh chose to extend their tally with another shot at the posts and succeeding. (SJC 10 – 06 MC)
Ten minutes later, saw the Josephians getting a scrum just five meters from their try line. Skipper Inosh Silva peeled off the scrum and bumped off the first three backs like it was nothing, and scored under the post as if it was a walk in the park. Bryan Fernando had his first two pointer. Mahanama had their chances – a disallowed try from a punch leading to a yellow card and a fair share of lineouts, but the final executing bit was just lacking. Five meters from their try line, the Josephians got a penalty, and Deputy Skipper Fernando took a quick tap and go, sending it out wide to the left hand touchline, with Shanelka Cooray touching down for his try. Bryan Fernando, with a master kick from the left hand touchline, seemed to have got his kicking rhythm and mastered the strong winds. (SJC 24 – 06 MC)
Half Time: St. Joseph’s College 24 (4T, 2C) – Mahanama College 06 (2P)
The second half was nothing short of amazing, absolutely entertaining Rugby – Super Saturday at its best. Five minutes into the second thirty-five, some good build up play from the Mahanama forwards made room for the backs, with Malinka Danuja getting the ball from the breakdown and then selling a beautiful dummy outside and beating the last defense with a perfect step off the left foot. This saw Danuja scoring the first try for the lads from Colombo 3, showcasing some brilliant individual skill. Conversion was good from Rathnayaka. A few minutes later, the replacement fresh legs scrumhalf Kalhara Dias scored taking a quick tap from a free kick. A successful conversion happened from the Skipper Rathnayaka, and it seemed something ignited within the yellow shirts as they were hunting down the Joes afterwards. (SJC 24 – 20 MC)
The Joes were suddenly on the back foot and needed a hero to get their spirits lifted to get away with that win, and then came Dion Peters once again through a rolling maul that showed the definition of rolling. Since the moment the flanker Sudharshan landed with the collect, the maul had no stopping until it crossed the try line. (SJC 29 – 20 MC)
- Sri Sumangala College Kandy Secures Back-to-Back Bonus Point Wins
- Ananda overcome the Cambrians with second half surge
Mahanama in the Second Half were a different side – they had a high percentage of the possession throughout the Second Half and were giving the Joes a good run for their money. Phases later, Mahanama used their forwards, and it was the prop forward Sethika Fonseka crossing over the third time with some strong and steady pick and goes hitting the fringes. Conversion was drifted wide by Rathnayaka. With twenty minutes left in the game, there was hard work needed from both sides, with Mahanama breathing down the necks of the Blue Jerseys. (SJC 29 – 25 MC)
It took a while for the Josephian backs to get on the dance floor again, as replacement winger Theekshana Jayasinghe touched down in the corner from a well-assisted try from Bryan Fernando and Sathira Gunathilaka. The next few minutes were all about shifting possession, coming close and going back for Mahanama. Later in the game when a brawl broke out, it saw Mahanama getting two cards – a yellow card, and a red card on top of that as well. With time up on the clock and with one final lineout, the Joes crossed over the whitewash one last time with their usual order the rolling maul. This time, Miyura Bandara crossed over while Bryan Fernando added the extras from wide out, sealing the deal for the Josephians and securing an important win for them as they face the Double Blue Thunder next week, while Mahanama, who are still searching for their first win of this year, will be facing off the Cambrians. (SJC 41 – 25 MC)
Full Time: St. Joseph’s College 41 (7T, 3C) – Mahanama College 25 (3T, 2C, 2P)
- Swisstek Perfect Player of The Match: Inosh Silva (SJC)
Points Breakdown
St. Joseph’s College 41
Dion Peters 2T, Inosh Silva 1T, Joel Ranasingha 1T, Miyura Bandara 1T, Shanelka Cooray 1T, Theekshana Jayasinghe 1T, Bryan Fernando 3C
Mahanama College 25
Malinka Danuja 1T, Sethika Fonseka 1T, Kalhara Dias 1T, Sithum Rathnayeka 2C,
Vihanga Seneth 2P
