The Dialog Schools Rugby League 2026 (Cup Championship) served up another masterclass of school rugby at Havelock Park. Isipathana College showcased immense grit in a high-stakes encounter with massive implications for the title race, edging past a spirited Zahira College side 31-29 in a match that literally went down to the wire.
From the opening whistle, it was a fierce battle between the two sides for supremacy. The players faced an acid test, as any mistake had the potential to become the decisive moment. Zahira were reduced to 14 men early in the game following a dangerous tackle. However, the Zahirians were not intimidated. They launched a fine attack down the right flank and reached the opposition’s 22-meter line. A needless side entry at the ruck handed Zahira a golden opportunity as they earned a five-meter lineout. The lads made their coach proud by executing a brilliant rolling maul. The Green Machine had no answers as the Zahirians barged their way over the whitewash through flanker Shaheel Shyam to break the deadlock. (IC 00 – 05 ZC)
Building on this early momentum, the Zahirians asserted their dominance throughout the first half, extending their lead with a second well-crafted try. Soon after, Isipathana were also reduced to 14 men, and Zahira exploited the numerical advantage. During play, the referee spotted another dangerous tackle, and the nippy Zahirian scrum-half Afham Abdeen seized the opportunity with a quick tap. He sliced through the retreating Isipathana defence before producing a classy sidestep to score beneath the posts. Zhaifulla Zulfikhar made no mistake with the conversion. (IC 00 – 12 ZC)
However, the Isipathana brigade refused to be intimidated. Right on the brink of halftime, they launched a scything counterattack to open their account. Their sustained pressure earned multiple penalties, but the hungry Pathanians opted for a scrum instead. A powerful scrum ended with a No. 8 break, although Zahira managed to halt the initial charge. Suddenly, Thenula de Costa gathered a loose pass and burst through the defence with a brilliant leg drive, dragging a couple of tacklers over the line for Isipathana’s first try. Costa added the conversion himself. (IC 07 – 12 ZC)
Despite this late rally, Zahira College went into the sheds with a deserved 12-07 lead.
Half-time: Isipathana College 07 (1T, 1C) – 12 (2T, 1C) Zahira College
The second half began with Zahira making their intentions crystal clear. They came out with relentless energy and steamrolled their opponents to score again. The three-quarters led the attack deep into the red zone before the forwards took over. Following a series of powerful pick-and-drives, hooker Shahib Ishan crossed the whitewash. Zhaifullah Zulfikhar once again added the extras. (IC 07 – 19 ZC)
But the mighty Isipathana outfit are not crowned kings for nothing. Refusing to throw in the towel, they regrouped, tightened up the basics, and began clawing their way back into the contest. This renewed composure sparked a superb resurgence. After earning a series of penalties near the five-meter line, Isipathana opted for another scrum. A textbook No. 8 break followed, with Naveed Thahir powering through three defenders to score and bring the Green Shirts right back into the contest. Thenula de Costa added another stylish conversion to reduce the deficit. (IC 14 – 19 ZC)
From then on, the lads from Isipathana played with renewed energy and purpose. After once again advancing into Zahira’s 22-meter area, the Pathanians searched relentlessly for a breakthrough, but the Zahirians’ defence held firm. Captain Shaakib Zumri attempted a clever chip kick, but it was blocked. Showing outstanding awareness, Zumri regathered the loose ball, burst through the gap, and scored near the posts. As usual, Thenula de Costa had little difficulty adding the conversion, handing Isipathana the lead and injecting even more drama into the contest. (IC 21 – 19 ZC)
With the lead in hand, the Green Shirts looked electrified. Captain Shaakib Zumri led from the front as his teammates rallied around him. Without wasting any time, Isipathana stormed back into Zahira’s red zone, with the forwards laying the platform. Just metres from the whitewash, the ball was shifted to the backs. Fly-half Thenula de Costa initiated the attack with a brilliant show-and-go before deceiving another couple of defenders with some superb footwork. After beating the final tacklers, he cruised over the line before converting his own try to stretch the lead further. (IC 28 – 19 ZC)
Just when it seemed Isipathana had taken control of the contest, the pendulum swung once again. A high tackle gifted Zahira a penalty, which they exploited with an excellent touch finder. From the ensuing lineout, the Zahirians unleashed another devastating driving maul that Isipathana simply could not stop. The forwards powered over, with Zain Hassan grounding the ball for the try. Basith Feroz produced a superb conversion to cut the deficit to just two points. (IC 28 – 26 ZC)
Moments later, Isipathana were penalised for not releasing the tackled player, and Zahira opted for the three points. With the clock winding down, Basith Feroz calmly slotted the penalty to hand Zahira a slender one-point lead with only a few minutes remaining. (IC 28 – 29 ZC)
But the drama was far from over. Thenula de Costa produced a magnificent 50-22 kick to secure an attacking lineout. Isipathana then won a scrum and spread the ball quickly across the backline. Eventually, they earned the penalty they desperately needed after Zahira failed to roll away at the breakdown.
Enter the golden boy of Isipathana College, fly-half Thenula de Costa.
With the weight of the school on his shoulders and under immense pressure, de Costa stood tall. He calmly slotted the penalty to put Isipathana back in front. (IC 31 – 29 ZC)
The moment the kick sailed through the uprights, the referee blew the final whistle, sealing a dramatic 31-29 victory for Isipathana in a match filled with breathtaking twists and turns.
Throughout this rollercoaster encounter, Thenula de Costa’s performance was the undeniable highlight. His attacking flair, tactical awareness, game management, exceptional kicking, and composure under immense pressure not only secured a morale-boosting victory for his side but also ensured Isipathana College bowed out of the league campaign with their heads held high.
Full-time: Isipathana College 31 (4T, 4C, 1P) – 29 (4T, 3C. 1P) Zahira College, Maradana
- Swisstek Perfect Player of the Match – Thenula De Costa (Isipathana College)
Scorecard in Brief
Isipathana College – 31
Naveed Thahir 1T, Shaakib Zumri 1T, Thenula De Costa 2T, 4C, 1P
Zahira College – 29
Shaheel Shyam 1T, Afham Abdeen 1T, Shahib Ishan 1T, Zain Hassan 1T, Shaifullah Zulfikar 2C, Basith Feroz 1C, 1P
Match Referee – Raveen Alexander
 served up another masterclass of school rugby at Havelock Park. Isipathana College showcased immense grit in a high-stakes encounter with massive implications for the title race, edging past a spirited Zahira College side 31-29 in a match that literally went down to the wire. ){kind=link}