Zahira College sealed the S.A. Wijayathilake / T.B. Jayah Memorial Trophy with a convincing victory over Ananda College. Though the match was a dead rubber in the plate segment, Zahira’s strong display ended their winless run and provided a strong finish to their season.
The Ananda College rugby ground in Rajagiriya saw a classic dead rubber clash between Ananda College and Zahira College. Both teams, playing in the plate segment of Dialog Schools Rugby 2025, struggled this season. Zahira College without a single win and Ananda College with just one victory before this match
ZC: 07 – 00 :AC
After 13 minutes of tough play from both teams, Zahira took a quick tap restart to take advantage of the moment. Using clean passes, they set up Imadh Inam, who broke through the defense with a brilliant run and fancy footwork to score the first try of the match. Imadh stepped up and added the extra points with a successful conversion, giving Zahira the lead.
ZC: 07 – 07 :AC
After scoring the first try, Zahira continued with plenty of momentum and confidence. But they tried to push things too quickly, which led to a poor pass and a fumble. That mistake allowed Deneth Chamuditha to dash through the defense and score Ananda College’s opening try. Thenula Wijewardhana made no mistake with the conversion, bringing the scores level at 7-all.
ZC: 07 – 14 :AC
Ananda’s forwards secured a clean lineout ball inside Zahira’s 10-meter area, close to the try line. They then set up a powerful rolling maul that pushed Zahira’s defense back. Their coordinated effort broke through the defensive line, allowing Banuka Dilshan to score the second try and take the lead. Deneth Chamuditha then added the extra two points with his accurate boot. This strong forward play gave Ananda College the momentum to control the game.
ZC: 14 – 14 :AC
Zahira pulled off a crucial moment just before halftime. With clean passes and strong running, skipper Luqman Nadeem managed to score an important try. Imadh Inam followed with a successful conversion, bringing the scores level as both teams headed into the break.
HALF TIME: – Zahira College: 14 – 14 : Ananda College
The first half was a tightly contested battle, with both teams having their share of chances. Zahira College opened the scoring, but Ananda College responded with two well-executed tries. Just before the break, Zahira fought back with a crucial try to level the game. At halftime the scores were locked at 14-all, and the game was perfectly set up for a thrilling second half that followed
ZC: 14 – 17 :AC
At the 40th minute, Zahira College was penalised for offside near the lineout, offering Ananda College a penalty kick at goal. Deneth Chamuditha stepped up and made no mistake, adding three points and giving Ananda the lead early in the second half. Deneth Chamuditha’s accurate kick punished Zahira’s mistake and allowed Ananda to take control of the restart with confidence.
ZC: 14 – 24 :AC
Banuka Dilshan powered over the line to secure Ananda College’s third try, extending their lead and capitalizing on their growing momentum. With Zahira pinned deep in their own half, Ananda maintained territorial dominance, and once again, Deneth Chamuditha stepped up and calmly knocked over the conversion to add the extra two points
ZC: 19 – 24 :AC
Zahira College struck back with sharp passing and quick recycling through clean phases. Abdul Muzil timed his run perfectly to break the line and score. The conversion attempt which could have closed the gap even further went wide, but Zahira still narrowed the score to 24-19, putting real pressure on Ananda College
ZC: 24 – 24 :AC
Ananda College’s momentum took a hit when they were reduced to 13 players after two back-to-back yellow cards. Flanker Nipun Alok was penalized for punching, and winger Nethula Wijewardana was shown yellow card for a high tackle. With Ananda two men down, Zahira College made the most of the advantage.
They earned a lineout near the 10-metre line and formed a strong rolling maul, driving forward with power and control. The weakened Ananda defense couldn’t hold them back as Saifullah Zulfikar powered over to level the scores. However the conversion went wide, keeping the game tied in this tightly contested battle
ZC: 29 – 24 :AC
the 59th minute, Ananda College’s Nethsara Kodithuwakku received their third yellow card for a high tackle, leaving Ananda a man down with just 12 players on the pitch. This ongoing discipline issue has clearly been costing Ananda College dearly, disrupting their defensive structure. Zahira College took full advantage of the overlap, and within three minutes Basith Feroz crashed over the try line, Zahira College flipped the game firmly in their favor
ZC: 36 – 24 :AC
Shortly after, Zahira kept up the attacking pressure. With Ananda College defense still unsettled, Afham Abdeen timed his run perfectly and broke through to score. Abdullah Hassan made no mistake with the conversion, adding the extra two points. Just ten minutes earlier, Ananda College were 10 points ahead now the momentum had completely swung Zahira College way
ZC: 36 – 27 :AC
With just eight minutes left on the clock, Zahira College, still with all 15 players on the field, gave away a penalty after Ananda’s relentless pressure. Seizing the chance, Ananda’s star No.10, Deneth Chamuditha, calmly drilled a powerful 56-meter penalty kick right between the posts. That kick not only closed the gap on the scoreboard but also boosted Ananda’s momentum, showing they were ready to fight until the final whistle.
ZC: 43 – 27 :AC
Imtiyas Iflan powered through Ananda’s defense to score an important try for Zahira, giving his team a big boost. Abdullah Hassan then stepped up and confidently kicked the conversion, stretching Zahira’s lead in the final minutes. Playing three men short clearly hurt Ananda, as Zahira’s strong teamwork helped them hold on until the end. This try ultimately secured the victory for Zahira College
ZC: 43 – 32 :AC
Ananda College Janithu Perera scored a crucial try through a powerful rolling maul just inside Zahira’s 10-meter try line. However, in a rare occurrence, Deneth Chamuditha missed the conversion, leaving those valuable 2 points off the board. The match remains a thrilling, high-scoring battle, with momentum swinging back and forth like a true see-saw contest. Both teams are pushing hard, refusing to give an inch as the scoreboard keeps ticking.
ZC: 43 – 39 :AC
Once again, Janithu Perera, Ananda College’s strong hooker crashed over the try line for the second time, finishing a powerful rolling maul that broke through Zahira’s defence. With the clock nearing the 70th minute, Deneth Chamuditha kept his cool and made no mistake, slotting in the valuable conversion with his reliable boot. Ananda College threw everything they had in the dying moments, showing heart and grit. But in the end Zahira College stayed ahead with a 5-point lead, which brought them their first win in the Plate Segment of the Dialog Schools Rugby 2025
FULL TIME: – Zahira College: 43 – 39 :Ananda College
Zahira College won the S.A. Wijayathilake / T.B. Jayah Memorial Trophy with a thrilling 43-39 victory over Ananda College in a high scoring match. Even though Ananda College had a 10-point lead in the second half, things started to fall apart when they received three yellow cards, leaving them with only 12 players on the field. Zahira College made full use of this advantage, scoring three quick tries to take control of the game. For Ananda College, Deneth Chamuditha was the standout player. He scored a try, kicked three conversions, and nailed a brilliant 56-meter penalty, keeping his team in the game until the final minutes. However, Ananda’s poor discipline and weak defense at key moments cost them the win. Zahira College showed great teamwork and took their chances well to end their season with a strong finish and their first victory in the Plate Segment of the Dialog Schools Rugby 2025.
- Swisstek Player of the Match : – Farhan Fazlath (ZC)
Points Breakdown
Zahira College – 43
Imadh Inam – 9 points (1 try, 2 conversions), Luqman Nadeem – 5 points (1 try), Abdul Muzil – 5 points (1 try), Saifullah Zulfikar – 5 points (1 try), Basith Feroz – 5 points (1 try), Afham Abdeen – 5 points (1 try), Imtiyas Iflan – 5 points (1 try), and Abdullah Hassan – 4 points (2 conversions)
Ananda College – 39
Deneth Chamuditha – 17 points (1 try, 3 conversions, 2 penalty), Banuka Dilshan – 10 points (2 tries), Janithu Perera – 10 points (2 tries), and Thenula Wijewardhane – 2 points (1 conversion)
