A week 7 encounter in the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2023 took place yesterday (29th July) at the Air Force Rugby Grounds in Ratmalana between the hosts’ Science College and the visitors of Dharmaraja College. Science College who came to this game without a single win managed to emerge victorious with a 24-21 scoreline thanks to a special 2nd half effort.
The first score of the game was registered by the visitors when their flanker Ishara Wijewardane joined the line in an attacking move and went over the whitewash from the left corner. Lasitha Wijesooriya added the two extra points as Rajans had the early lead (DCK 07 – 00 SC)
Shortly after Science College received a penalty and a very good kick into touch saw them coming close to the try line. A clean lineout meant Science were in with a very good chance to score a try and the rolling maul which followed got them even closer and the big prop forward Sahan Bandara went over the line. The conversion didn’t go through as the visitors still had a lead of 2 points (DCK 07 – 05 SC)
After the first try from Science, Rajans came very close to scoring a try once again but unfortunately lost the ball forward with just a few metres to go. But Science College made the cardinal error of losing the ball from the scrum as the Rajans scrum half Chalana Mendis pounced on this opportunity to score the 2nd try of the game for the visitors. Wijesooriya extended their lead further with a successful conversion (DCK 14 – 05 SC)
Rajans created another scoring opportunity when they broke into the opposition territory and a break out of jail from Science was charged down and the scrum-half Mendis made the collection to go over for his 2nd try of the game. Wijesooriya continued his fine kicking form to add the 2 extra points (DCK 21 – 05 SC)
After the two tries from Rajans, Science College finally found the whitewash again thanks to Sasitha Nimantha cutting the deficit down 11 points but unfortunately, the conversion didn’t go through (DCK 21 – 10 SC)
A few moments before halftime, Science College received a penalty close to the 22m line and they went for the 3 points Oshada Perera finally got a kick right to decrease the Rajans lead to just 8 points at half (DCK 21 – 13 SC)
The real moment of brilliance in this game arrived next as a kick-and-chase attempt from the Rajans became their worst nightmare as Oshada Perera made a clean collection and produced a phenomenal run with a beautiful break to the outside and then a lovely cut back inside to finish it off with a sidestep to go all the way as the home team came ever so close to the Rajans tally of 21. But once again the conversion didn’t go through as the home team still trailed by 3 points (DCK 21 – 18 SC)
But Science College received a penalty shortly after to equal the scores and this time after 3 failed kicks, Perera finally got one right as it was 21 all with everything to play for in the final few minutes (DCK 21 – 21 SC)
With the clock running out Dharmaraja made the mistake of trying to run from their own 22m territory and they lost the ball to Science and in a desperate defending attempt they conceded a penalty which proved to be the fatal blow as the home team went for the 3 points and Perera nailed the kick to take the lead for the first time in the game for his team (DCK 24 – 21 SC)
No more scoring opportunities arrived for both the sides and Science College finally registered a win in their league season. Both the teams had their moments in the league but just couldn’t produce the needed consistency. Rajans started the league strong with a first-ever win against Trinity but then faltered big time while Science College although they gave a close fight to Vidyartha just couldn’t get a result in their favour until this last game. Anuradha Lakshan the scrum half who proved to be their playmaker of the game was adjudged NDB Bank Player of the Match.
Science College 24 (3T, 3P) beat Dharmaraja College 21 (3T 3C)
- NDB Bank Player of the Match : Anuradha Lakshan (SC)
Points Breakdown :
Science College : Oshada Perera (1T 3P), Sahan Bandara (1T), Sasitha Nimantha (1T)
Dharmaraja College : Chalana Mendis (2T), Lasitha Wijesooriya (3C), Ishara Wijewardene (1T)
 at the Air Force Rugby Grounds in Ratmalana between the hosts' Science College and the visitors of Dharmaraja College. Science College who came to this game without a single win managed to emerge victorious with a 24-21 scoreline thanks to a special 2nd half effort. ){kind=link}