The first round of the Dialog Schools’ Rugby League came to an end over the last weekend with Isipathana, St. Anthony’s, St. Peter’s and Royal College going through to the Super Round, where two weeks of enthralling rugby awaits us.
Isipathana College
The Green Machine cruised through to the second round unbeaten, with all 6 bonus points in the bag.
The team to beat, Isipathana, have set the standards which no team in their group was able to reach. 36 points and sitting pretty at the helm, Isipathana College, the pacesetters, who will be able to stop them?
Super Round Fixtures
- Royal College vs Isipathana College at Royal Complex – 12th August
- Peter’s College vs Isipathana College at Bambalapitiya – 19th August
St. Peter’s College
One of two unbeaten teams, SPC have been sensational in attack and solid in defence. Royal was the only team to show some resistance against the Peterites, as they ran over the rest throughout the first round of competition.
St. Peter’s were able to stop the Royal forwards, but will they be able to control the Isipathana back line in what could be a title decider if the 1st week goes to plan for SPC?
Super Round Fixtures
- Peter’s College vs St. Anthony’s College at Bambalapitiya – 11th August
- Peter’s College vs Isipathana College at Bambalapitiya – 19th August
Royal College
Royal have made it through despite two defeats, and their chance for the Dialog Schools’ Rugby League is a long shot. However, a trophy game against Isipathana in the second round, played for the Milroy Fernando trophy, is at stake, which will give them added motivation to win.
Super Round Fixtures
- Royal College vs Isipathana College at Royal Complex – 12th August
- Anthony’s College vs Royal College at Pallekele – 18th or 19th August
St. Anthony’s College
The Antonians played a fluent brand of fast-paced Rugby and do possess a sturdy forward pack to go along with it.
St. Anthony’s season is one to remember as they have gone on to defeat a few big guns on their way through to the super round. The second round, however, will be a different test as they take on two teams from the top half of the table.
SACK have struggled against top-tier opponents, but this will be a good test of their skills as they are set to take on St. Peter’s and Royal.
- Peter’s College vs St. Anthony’s College at Bambalapitiya – 11th August
- Anthony’s College vs Royal College at Pallekele – 18th or 19th August
Week 7, as it happened
Group 1A
DS were denied passage through by St. Joseph’s as the lads from Maradana finally hit their straps, a bit too late for their qualification hopes, however, paving the way for the Antonians.
Report: Joes deny DS passage through to the second round
St. Anthony’s College defeated S. Thomas’ at Pallekale as all games were played simultaneously on the final week. A victory after a decade or so helped the Antonians qualify, leaving the Thomians and DS to lick their wounds.
Photos – St. Anthony’s College vs S. Thomas’ College | Dialog Schools Rugby League – 2023
The final fixture of the round saw Kingswood host Wesley for the L.E. Blaze trophy. Wesley College put the Randle Hills lads to the sword from the onset, handing them their 6th defeat of the season, ending with the wooden spoon for a second time running.
Report:Wesley maul their way to retain L.E. Blaze
Group 2A
Peter’s pummelled Vidyartha on their way to topping group 2A, while Science managed their first win over Dharmaraja at Mount Lavinia, leaving neither team winless.
Report: St. Peter’s thump Vidyartha to stay unbeaten
Report: Science College register their first win of the season after a splendid 2nd half
Zahira were awarded points as Trinity pulled out at the 11th hour, leaving a sour end to the games in the group.
Royal and Isipathana were the two teams to receive the BYE as they both prepared for Rugby during August.
