Both Ananda and the newly promoted Prince of Wales coming into this encounter at Air Force Grounds, Rathmalana, were coincidentally on the same boat. Both were fresh from suffering heavy losses during the knockout Pre-Quarter Finals and losing heavily in their league campaign opener, hence both teams came out into Week Two to give their two hundred percent and get their first win of their Dialog Schools Rugby League 2026 campaign. With the final whistle blown, it was Ananda coming away with the win 31 – 05.
For a second week running, there seemed to be a jersey mismatch after both teams stepped onto the field, but with good management from the Referees and match organizers, it took only a slight five-minute delay and Deneth Chamuditha got things underway at the windy and drizzly Air Force Grounds in Rathmalana. The Cambrians were caught guilty a few times, and on the fourth minute of play from a well-constructed maul, the Maroons Brigade crossed over for their first score through their lock Seymal Wimalasuriya, who was wearing the number two jumper. Chamuditha’s conversion attempt was well off. (AC 05 – 00 POW)
For the next twelve to fourteen minutes, it was only the Cambrian forwards who were all over the Ananda players, showcasing brute strength in attack by shrugging off defenders and coming just five meters short of the white line a few times, but just failing to execute those final few steps. Just as attack occurred, they were well updated in defense as well as they turned the ball over a couple of times and gave the Ananda forwards a very tough time. From then onwards, possession was switching back and forth through lineouts and penalties, with the Cambrians once again showing us some entertaining ‘Never Say Never’ Rugby, but it must not be forgotten that the Ananda resilience was high as well, as they did not let the lads from Moratuwa cross over. With only about ten minutes left in the first thirty-five, Ananda desperately needed a score to be shown in the scoresheet, and with that, Ovindu Vibhuja crossed over for the second week running for his team through a rolling maul. Chamuditha was on point with the two pointed this time around. (AC 12 – 00 POW)
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A restart and a few phases later, four minutes later to be precise, the Cambrians were knocking at the door again. This time, they were fortunate enough to get a penalty going towards them, and centre Tharin Silva’s touch finder brought the Cambrians five meters from their try line. A pin point line out and a good pass from the back of the maul saw number eight Suren Nimsara beating one defender and crossing over for the first try for the Cambrians. A conversion attempt was unsuccessful, and they were heading into lemons with an exciting second half to be played. (AC 12 – 05 POW)
Half Time: Ananda College 12 (2T, 1C) – Prince of Wales’ College 05 (1T)
Coming into the second thirty-five, both teams had to go all out as they both needed that big win. It was an insufficient First Half from Ananda and well-played but tad unlucky First Half from the Cambrians. Silva got things underway as the Cambrians kicked off the Second Half. The Second Half mirrored the first, with the Maroon Shirts crossing over early. This time, the loosehead prop Sankitha Hanira put his name to the scorecard with the support from his fellow forwards. Chamuditha was successful off the tee. (AC 19 – 05 POW)
The story of the game was that both teams were giving away possession uncharacteristically, and a huge number of restarts from lineouts and scrums occurred, with many coming in the way of the Cambrians. Later on, the Ananda pack seemed to have found their rhythm as they laid the foundation for the rest of the game, with Wimalasuriya going over for his second try of the game and extending the Maroon Brigades lead. Chamuditha’s decent day with the boot continued. (AC 26 – 05 POW)
The Cambrians refused to be put down as they gave another few phases of solid forward play, but never managed to up the scoresheet. Both teams with ten minutes to go seemed to have had enough, as the frustration and fatigue seemed to be kicking in with a couple of loose lineouts and loose ball handling resulting in possession exchanging hands. Ananda somehow began getting their act together, with an unstoppable maul seeing Wimalasuriya at the back of it, patiently scanning and crossing over for his hat-trick to nail the final nail on the coffin, guiding Ananda to their first win in the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2026.
(AC 31 – 05 POW)
Full Time: Ananda College 31 (5T, 3C) – Prince of Wales’ College 05 (1T)
Swisstek Perfect Player of the Match: Seymal Wimalasuriya (AC)
Points Breakdown
Ananda College 31
Seymal Wimalasuriya 3T, Sankitha Hanira 1T, Ovindu Vibhuja 1T, Deneth Chamuditha 3C.
Prince of Wales’ College 05
Suren Nimsara 1T
