Week 4 of the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2025 delivered a major twist in the title narrative as the Bamba Brigade – St. Peter’s College became the first team from the unbeaten six to taste defeat, shaking up the title picture. While the Saints stumbled, the remaining five front-runners held firm, securing their places in the Cup Championship round with dominant displays. Meanwhile, D.S. Senanayake College capitalised on the chaos, with their qualification hopes getting a timely boost thanks to St. Peter’s surprise slip. The stage is now set for a thrilling final week run-in as the race for Cup glory intensifies.
Lions & Tuskers Through To The Second Round as Bradby Prequel Approaches
Trinity College took on St.Joseph’s College at Longdon Place, where Trinity managed to beat the Joes in dominant fashion, with the final scoreline being 29 – 7. The Lions forward pack were in full force as they scored 3 tries through brilliantly executed driving mauls, with the remaining 2 tries coming through the backline. They managed to hold the Joes to just 1 score, thereby proving week in week out that they are the most balanced side in the competition. The Josephians’ hopes of qualifying to a Cup Championship well and truly ended after this loss. However, they have qualified for the ultimate consolation prize and will be hungry to bring the Plate Championship to Darley Road. Next week, they will host a spirited Sri Sumangala side at Longdon Place in an exciting bout with major Plate Championship implications.
>>Photos – Royal College vs Vidyartha College | Dialog Schools Rugby League 2025 – Week 4
Royal College managed to defeat Vidyartha College 29 – 7 at Jurassic Park. Although the scoreline shows a convincing victory for the Tuskers, it was anything but that as the Tigers put on a good fight, controlling possession and forcing errors. For the first time this league season, the Tuskers looked Shaky as they as they couldn’t seem to finish/convert the opportunities they created. Ultimately, The Tuskers got their mojo back and managed to overcome a tough tussle. With this loss, the Tigers’ hopes of Plate Glory were put to bed. They will face a winless Thurstan College outfit next week at Sugathadasa Stadium where they will be itching to get into the win column and uphold their pride. Week 4 saw both Trinity and Royal handle business to remain unbeaten ahead of their mighty clash next week. Although it’s not the All-Important Bradby Shield, The outcome of theirbattle will have major title implications. Who will claim the top spot of Group 3? Who will take the mental edge before Bradby? We shall find out the answers next week!
Thomians & Pathanians Flex Firepower – Showdown for Top Spot Awaits
S.Thomas College travelled upcountry to take on Dharmaraja College at the Nittawela Fortress. The Thomians came back to Mt.Lavinia unscathed, dominating the Rajans with a 48 – 5 Victory. The Thomians attack looked spectacular once again as they managed to touch down 8 times. However, It was their defense which really stood out as they held Dharmaraja to one score. This will give them a massive boost in confidence heading into the final clash against the Green Machine next week. The Rajans remain as one of 2 teams that haven’t managed to get a single point in this year’s league. They will look to change that next week, hoping to give their fans something to cheer for as they take on Kingswood College at Nittawela.
>>Photos – Wesley College vs St. Peter’s College | Dialog Schools Rugby League 2025 – Week 4
Isipathana College took on Zahira College at Maradana in what turned out to be another high point scoring game, with the Green Machine ultimately outclassing the Tankers 38 – 27. The game was all about offence as it produced 10 total tries with Isipathana scoring 6 and Zahira scoring 4. After leading the game 26 – 8 at Halftime, The Green Machine once again allowed the opposition to score their way back into the game with some lackluster defense in the 3rd quarter, mainly due to a dangerous tackle that resulted in a red card. Ultimately, The 14 men from Pathana managed to get over the line as they remained unbeaten. They will look to polish their defensive discipline as they take on the Thomians next week to decide who will be the table topper in group 2. The Tankers enter a Win & In scenario as they face off against Mahanama College next week at Maradana, with the winner qualifying for the Plate Championship.
Ruthless Aggression has been the story for the top 2 of Group 2. Both sides have showcased Elite offensive performances throughout the weeks with everything culminating into the ultimate week 5 battle at the Big Club Grounds. The winners top the group and will control the cards heading into the Cup Championship. Mark your calendars and get excited to witness who comes out as the Kings of group 2 as Isipathana College take on the boys from the School by the Sea.
Doors Open, Stakes Rise – Dons & Saints Enter Must Win Mode as Wesley Cruises Through
The highly anticipated clash between Wesley College and St.Peter’s College took place at Havelock Park and it was the Double Blues who rose to the occasion, silencing the Peterites with a 23 – 05 victory. In a fiery encounter where you could feel the tension through the screen, it was the determination and resilience of Wesley that got them this convincing victory, proving to everyone and strengthening their case as Championship favourites as theycruise to the Cup Championship. To conclude their group stage run, they will take on Ananda College at Havelock Park. Havelock Park saw D.S Senanayake College go up against Science College in an action packed clash where the Dons came away with a 36 – 29 victory. “Too little Too late” was the demise for the winless Science College outfit yet again as they failed to capitalize on multiple opportunities to take control of the clash. The Dons managed to hold their nerve and combat the gutsy scoring spree that was showcased by their opposition. This win for the Dons proved to be extremely crucial as they are well and truly in the hunt for that final place in the Cup Championship dance. The Bamba Brigade will host the Dons in a high stakes, high intensity clash at St.Peter’s College Grounds. It is yet another Win & In scenario with the winner going through to the Cup Championship, and the loser going to the Plate Championship. The Dons will be brewing with confidence as they face off a Peterite team coming off a brutal loss. So folks, can the Bamba Brigade get back on track? or will the Dons finally break into the upper echelon of Schoolboy Rugby? With the way the past week played out, it seems impossible to predict!
>>Photos – Dharmaraja College vs S. Thomas’ College | Dialog Schools Rugby League 2025 – Week 4
Bottom-Feeders No More! Sumangala Clinch Plate Position Along with Ananda
Sri Sumangala College hosted winless Thurstan College at Bogambara, with the home team managing to pull off a 33 – 20 victory. Thurstan College looked desperate to get a win and they came out with a stellar 1st half performance, leading the game 13 – 7 at lemons. However, it was the lads from Wariyapola who came out to play in the second half as they scored 4 tries while holding the Thurstanites to just 1. This comeback sparked by the home crowd support, allowed Sri Sumangala to create history as they secured a spot in the Plate Championship. This marks a momentous occasion for them as they have proved to everyone that they are well in the radar to be a potential breakout team in the years to come. They will take on St.Joseph’s College next week, in what promises to be an exciting mid table clash.
Ananda College pulled off a stunning 30 – 27 victory against St. Anthony’s College at Nittawela. This historic victory allowed the maroons to clinch a spot in this year’s Plate championship, in their first ever year of top flight competition. The maroons showed true grit, passion, and most importantly some good rugby to get the comeback win over the Antonians, who suffered their 4th straight home loss this year. The Anandians have arrived and they have made it clear that they are here to stay. The maroons will take on the Dominant Double Blues at Havelock Park next week to conclude their group stage battles. The winless Antonians will take on the winless Science College outfit in a battle for pride at the Science College Grounds.
Mahanama Approaches Win & In Situation as Kingswood Qualifies for the Plate
Kingswood College managed to overcome Mahanama College at Bogambara, as they registered a comfortable 27 – 17 victory, thereby clinching a spot at this year’s battle for the Plate Championship. The Kingswoodians looked a much more balanced and polished outfit to the newcomers as they attacked the Mahanama defense with scintillating line breaks and relentless pick & go’s. Mahanama’s effort was commendable but ultimately stood no match for the Kingswoodians. After getting off to a horrid start by losing the first 2 games, Kingswood have managed to turn their season around and will be considered as one of the favourites to achieve Plate Glory. Mahanama on the other hand, will have everything to play for as they face off Zahira College in a Do or Die game to decide the final spot in the dance for the Plate Championship. This will be the newbie’s biggest game yet and they will look to polish their errors as they plan on silencing the whole of Maradana next week!
>>Photos – St. Anthony’s College vs Ananda College | Dialog Schools Rugby League 2025 – Week 4
As the dust settles on a chaotic Week 4 of the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2025, the race for Cup and Plate glory is wide open and burning with intensity. St. Peter’s shock defeat has thrown Group 1 into disarray, while teams like Wesley, Royal, Trinity, S.Thomas and Isipathana have solidified their status as serious contenders for the title. The final week promises drama, as high-stakes “Win & In” clashes will determine who dances with the elite and who battles for pride. From underdog breakthroughs to traditional powerhouses holding the line, the league has delivered edge-of-your-seat action at every turn. With rivalries heating up and destinies hanging in the balance, Week 5 is set to be nothing short of electric.
