Ananda College made easy work of S. Thomas’ College, defeating the visitors 37 (5T 3C 2P) – 24 (3T 3C 1P) as the home side revived their push towards the Plate segment of the Dialog Schools’ Rugby League 2026.
The game was worked off on a muddy field at Ananda College Grounds, Rajagiriya and the hosts were the first to strike through winger Senuth Randinu. The speedster added the finishing touches to a well worked move.
Dineth Chamuditha failed with the extras.
S. Thomas’ struck back straight away through Mendis as the nippy scrum half scored their first try after his team spent quite some time in their opponents red zone. Dias added the extras to put the visitors in front. (AC 05-07 STC)
The lead swung like a pendulum, first changing hands towards Ananda as their skipper put his team back in front following a trademark penalty from 28 meters out. Dias, however, grabbed the lead back with a penalty of his own to grab the lead back as the game was warming up well.
On the 27th minute mark Ananda centre Januga Peiris broke through and went untouched as the lead shifted again. Dineth added the extras. (AC 15-10 STC)
Senuth scored his second as Ananda pilled on the points as the Thomians were helplessly looking on for solutions on how to stop the hosts in the mud. Dineth continued his good afternoon off the tee, leading by example. (AC 22-10 STC)
The Thomians struck back through skipper Karunarathne as he dived over from the tail of the maul. Dias slotted over from an acute angle as the lead was cut to 5-points.
On the brink of halftime, Dineth slotted over another penalty as Ananda went into the break with a handsome lead.
Half time: Ananda College 25 (3T, 2C, 2P) lead S. Thomas’ College 17 (2T 2C 1P)
The second half was dominated by Ananda as the home team scored first and piled on the points.
The first try of the second half was scored by Induwara Attanayaka as the winger got his name on the scoresheet to mount pressure on the visitors. Dineth failed with the extras this time. (AC 30-17 STC)
S. Thomas’ struck back through substitute Wijesinghe giving the visitors a new lease of life. Dias made no mistake with the conversion as the lead was cut to 6-points. (AC 30-24 STC)
With time running out, Ananda mounted another attack and scored their 5th try of the evening as Ashara Senadhira badged his way through to score.
This try meant Ananda cruised towards victory as the Thomians fell further behind on the 2nd round points table.
Full time: Ananda College 37 (5T, 3C, 2P) beat S. Thomas’ College 24 (3T 3C 1P)
Swisstech player of the Match: Januga Peiris (AC Centre)
Points breakdown:
Ananda – Senuth Randinu 1T, Januga Peiris 2T, Induwara Attanayaka 1T, Ashara Senadhira 1T, Dineth Chamuditha 3C 2P
S. Thomas’ – Mendis 1T, Karunarathne 1T, Wijesinghe 1T, Dias 3C 1P
 – 24 (3T 3C 1P) as the home side revived their push towards the Plate segment of the Dialog Schools’ Rugby League 2026.){kind=link}