In a breathtaking finale week’s clash that went right down to the wire, St. Joseph’s College emerged victorious over a gallant Sri Sumanagala College side, clinching the Plate Championship of the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2026. Played in front of a packed and vocal crowd at the historic Bogambara Stadium in Kandy, the table-topping Josephians survived a massive second-half scare to secure a narrow 31-26 victory in a game that will be remembered as one of the most dramatic encounters of the season.
From the opening whistle, the visitors made their intentions crystal clear, signaling their championship pedigree with an early offensive thrust that yielded the first points of the match. Further, the hosts, Sri Sumangala were sent to the back foot with a yellow card due to a foul play. Despite the early set back, Sri Sumangala replied with a fierce attack which went in vain as their butter fingers caused a knock on. Suddenly, the St. Joseph’s winger Hirusha Manahara saw the opportunity while he was picking up the loose ball and exploited a gap in the defense. Then ran all the way towards the opposition half and planted the ball to draw the first blood. Brayan Fernando converted it with ease from the middle. (SJC 07 – 00 SSC)
However the spirited Sri Sumanagala brigade, feeding off the electric energy of the home crowd, refused to be intimidated. Then unfortunately, St. Joseph’s 2nd rower Satheera Gunathilake received marching orders for a foul play. With the numerical advantage, Sri Sumangala attacked with a maul just after getting a five meter line-out throw. There, St. Joseph forwards put their maximum effort but were penalized for collapsing the maul. The eager Sri Sumangala brigade took a quick tap and continued the attack. After a couple of hits the gigantic No. 08 of the hosts Tharusha Dilshan crossed the whitewash for their first try.The fly-half, Maleesha Karunathilake made a splendid conversion to square the game. (SJC 07 – 07 SSC)
Then some action packed phase of the game went without scoring. At the brink of the half-time, the visitors received a scrum in their favour right at the Sri Sumangala red zone. It resulted in a penalty for the visitors as Sri Sumangala was penalized for lifting the scrum. St. Joseph’s College took a quick tap straightaway and gained some good meters. Later the attack came with set pieces and short passes. Finally, the skipper Inosh Silva took the charge. He was too heavy to bear for the hosts and fended off from the tackles and crossed the whitewash with ease. Bryan Fernando nailed the easy conversion chance to extend the lead. (SJC 14 – 07 WSSCK)
The converted try gave the Josephians a crucial seven-point cushion, shifting the psychological momentum slightly in their favor as the teams headed to the sheds.
Half-time: St. Joseph’s College 14 (2T, 2C) – 07 (1T, 1C) Wariyapola Sri Sumangala College
The early stages of the second half belonged entirely to St. Joseph’s. They came out of the tunnels with renewed intensity, dominating both possession and territory. Suddenly, Manahara received a clearance kick from the hosts and replied with a fine sprint to gain some good meters. Along with the tackle on him, the ball switched to Candappa who brought the play near to the 22 meter mark. Finally, the line worked again and Dion Fernando spotted a gap and exploited it by getting through. Sumangala chasers couldn’t prevent him scoring as St. Joseph’s regained the game momentum with a brilliant start to the second half. (SJC 19 – 07 WSSCK)
Then the unstoppable St. Joseph’s brigade invaded the Sri Sumangala territory again after a few minutes of play. There, Sri Sumangala was spotted twice for being offside at the defense line. Then the Joes attacked with a pick-and-drive coupled with occasional short passes. The play managed to disorganize the hosts defensive line. Hence the skipper of St. Joseph’s Inosh Silva penetrated through the defense to score the bonus point try with the assistance given by his latcher. By rubbing some salt on Sumangala’s wound the referee gave a yellow card to Sumangala player for repeated infringements. (SJC 24 – 07 WSSCK)
At that point, it appeared the table-toppers were going to run away with the game. But when, Sri Sumangala was restored to XV men and they looked like a regrouped brigade initiated a resurgence. Suddenly, Ashen Karunathilake speared through a gap right in the middle and sprinted through with a fine running angle. Just before he scores a highly dangerous tackle came around his neck and the referee had no option rather than sending the tackler Shanelka to the naughty chair. In the meantime the referee awarded a penalty try by enacting the justice. (SJC 24 – 14 )
The late try and numerical advantage came in the way of the hosts, completely changing the game momentum and complexion. They fiercely invaded the Joes territory, and launched a heavy attack with their forwards. After reaching the 5 meter mark the attacking responsibility was switched to the three-quarters. There, a brilliant side step opened the gap for the inside center Maleesha Karunathilake who then cut back to plant another try. But, Sri Sumangala missed the regulation chance with the conversion marking a crucial juncture of the game. (SJC 24 – 19 WSSCK)
With back to back scoring, Sumangala players looked like an unstoppable force. After receiving the restart kick, the hosts worked the ball and the open side winger Masith Induwara found a looped hole in the defense and exploited. With his brilliant side stepping and unmatched speed he fended off seven tacklers and planted a try right under the crossbar by equalizing the points. Maleesha Karunathilake successfully converted the try and completed an exceptional comeback to gain the lead for the first time in the game with just two and a half minutes remaining in the clock. (SJC 24 – 26 WSSCK)
After the restart, St. Joseph’s did an excellent job by recovering the position as the hosts were guilty of holding on to the ball. Instantly, St. Joseph’s forwards led the attack and inch by inch the visitors advanced towards the whitewash. After a solid pick and drive passage, the second rower Sathira Gunathilake brought the success as the pendulum swung again in favor of St. Joseph’s College. Adriyanco Candappa put a cherry on top of their victory by nailing the conversion. (SJC 31 – 26 WSSCK)
The final whistle sounded shortly after, confirming the 31-26 scoreline and sparking jubilant scenes among the St. Joseph’s players and supporters. While Sri Sumanagala will undoubtedly rue the late errors that cost them a famous victory, they can hold their heads incredibly high after a heroic and spirited fightback. For St. Joseph’s College, it was a testament to their grit, sealing the Plate Championship title in a classic Kandy rugby thriller.
Full-time: St. Joseph’s College 31 (5T, 3C) – 26 (4T, 3C) Wariyapola Sri Sumangala College
- Swisstek Perfect Player of the Match – Inosh Silva (St. Joseph’s College)
Scorecard in Brief
St. Joseph’s College – 31
Hirusha Manahara 1T, Inosh Silva 2T, Dion Fernando 1T, Sathira Gunathilake 1T, Bryan Fernando 2C, Adriyanco Candappa 1C
Sri Sumanagala College, Kandy – 26
Tharusha Dilshan 1T, Masith Induwara1T, Maleesha Karunathilake 1T, 2C, Penalty try,
Match Referee – Kelum Sandaruwan
