The Plate Segment of the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2026 served up another thrilling spectacle as St. Anthony’s College secured a commanding 48-26 away victory over hosts Ananda College. A breathtaking second-half performance by the Antonians not only clinched a vital win but also sent a resounding statement to their rivals.
The encounter began in the most dramatic fashion imaginable. Before the game clock had even ticked past 30 seconds, the hosts drew first blood. Pouncing on a loose pass from the visitors inside their own 22-metre area, Ananda College capitalised on the early error to open the scoring, instantly igniting the home crowd. Ananda second-rower Nipun Alok grabbed the ball like a kingfisher spotting a fish and burst through the defence. Skipper Deneth Chamuditha made no mistake with the conversion. (SAC 00 – 07 AC)
However, the visitors refused to be rattled. Showing immense mental fortitude, St. Anthony’s College counterattacked immediately. The Antonian forwards carried play into Ananda territory before the ball was switched to the three-quarters with a huge cut-out pass to open-side winger Yohan Gunawardhana. He found space out wide and exploited it with a fancy sidestep before deceiving the final defender and cutting back inside to score the first Antonian try. Fullback Daham Perera made no mistake with the conversion. (SAC 07 – 07 AC)
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Ananda counterattacked immediately into opposition territory and earned a penalty as the visitors were guilty of handling the ball inside a ruck. The resulting lineout was successful, and the hosts launched a powerful rolling maul that the visitors had no answer for. As the maul crossed the whitewash, Nadeeja Wanasinghe grounded the ball from the back to score the second try. (SAC 07 – 12 AC)
The Antonians immediately hit back, advancing deep into Ananda territory. The three-quarters spearheaded the attack and repeatedly found gaps in the defence. After the backs displayed their pace and running ability, the forwards took over with their power game. Following several phases, loosehead prop Sheveen Nethusara crossed the try line to level the scores once again. Daham Perera continued his brilliance from the tee by slotting the conversion. (SAC 14 – 12 AC)
The hosts earned a lineout around 10 metres from the try line after the visitors conceded a needless penalty. As expected, Ananda opted for the rolling maul, and their forwards drove with purpose. The Antonians somehow resisted and legally brought the maul down. However, just inches short of the line, the Anandians executed a brilliant pick-and-drive sequence, with Nethsara Kodithuwakku crashing over to regain the lead. Chamuditha added an excellent conversion to extend the advantage. (SAC 14 – 19 AC)
Later, Ananda made the same mistake as the visitors had at the start of the game by attempting to launch an attack from deep within their own territory. Under mounting pressure, the hosts finally attempted a clearance kick, but the determined Antonians charged it down. Habith Govindaraj reacted quickest, gathering the loose ball near the try line and grounding it to level the scores. Daham Perera delivered another superb conversion to put St. Anthony’s in front. (SAC 21 – 19 AC)
The lads from Kandy looked dangerous once again as they launched another attack, but this time the hosts were penalised for hands in the ruck. Daham Perera stepped up and calmly slotted the penalty. (SAC 24 – 19 AC)
Despite the early setback and relentless pressure from the hosts, St. Anthony’s edged ahead and went into the halftime break with a narrow 24-19 advantage.
Half Time: St. Anthony’s College, Kandy 24 (3T, 3C, 1P) – 19 (3T, 2C) Ananda College
The start of the second half was far from ideal for the visitors. Blindside winger Abdul Raheem was sent to the sin bin for tackling a player in the air. Ananda attempted to exploit the numerical advantage, but the visitors produced a tremendous defensive effort. Eventually, Ananda were penalised for not releasing the ball. Spotting an opportunity against a disorganised defence, St. Anthony’s took a quick tap penalty. A short pass found open-side winger Yohan Gunawardhana, who showed tremendous pace and stamina to round the final defender and score a magnificent try. Daham added the conversion. (SAC 31 – 19 AC)
Later, Ananda earned a scrum deep inside their own territory after St. Anthony’s knocked the ball on. Upon recovering possession, the Anandian scrum-half attempted to go himself but was caught holding on to the ball. The visitors surprisingly opted against the rolling maul and instead took a quick tap. The decision paid immediate dividends as powerful centre Vimukthi Kodikara crossed the whitewash with the support of his teammates. Daham Perera continued to impress with another accurate conversion. (SAC 38 – 19 AC)
With a considerable lead established, the Antonians briefly lost focus and committed a series of errors. The Anandians pounced on the opportunity and launched wave after wave of attacks deep inside St. Anthony’s territory. After earning a penalty, the hosts relied on their forwards and a series of effective pick-and-drive phases. Following sustained pressure, replacement second-rower Owindu Vibuja crossed the whitewash to give Ananda renewed hope. Chamuditha added the straightforward conversion to lift the spirits of the home side. (SAC 38 – 26 AC)
However, their joy was short-lived as the Antonians responded immediately. Through a magnificent series of pick-and-drive phases, they steamrolled the Ananda defence. As they advanced metre by metre, the hosts had little option but to retreat. When St. Anthony’s came within half a metre of the line, powerful second-rower Dinuka Jayasundara crashed over from close range. (SAC 43 – 26 AC)
Following the restart, St. Anthony’s maintained their attacking intent and produced a fine kick from inside their own 22-metre area. After regaining possession, their backs showcased brilliant pace and scintillating handling skills. Eventually, Josua Gunawardhana crossed the try line to put the final nail in the coffin for Ananda College. (SAC 48 – 26 AC)
When the final whistle blew, the 48-26 scoreline perfectly reflected St. Anthony’s second-half supremacy. This crucial away victory does more than simply add points to the table; it breathes new life into their Plate title aspirations. More importantly, by dismantling a formidable Ananda side on their own turf, the Antonians have sounded a warning to the rest of the competition. If they can maintain this level of ruthless efficiency, St. Anthony’s College will be a formidable force as the Plate Segment progresses
Full Time: St. Anthony’s College, Kandy 48 (7T, 5C, 1P) – 26 (4T, 3C) Ananda College
- Swisstek Perfect Player of the Match: Yohan Gunawardhane (St. Anthony’s College)
Points Breakdown
St. Anthony’s College, Kandy – 48
Yohan Gunawardhana 2T, Sheveen Nethusara 1T, Habith Govindaraj 1T, Vimukthi Kodikara 1T, Dinuka Jayasundara 1T, Josua Gunawardhana 1T, Daham Perera 3C, 1P
Ananda College, Colombo – 26
Nipun Alok 1T, Nadeeja Wanasinghe 1T, Nethsara Kodithuwakku 1T, Owindu Vibuja 1T, Deneth Chamuditha 3C
Match Referee – Suranga Arunashantha
