Both teams coming from defeats the previous week needed a win on the cards from their last group game where they faced off each other at Longdon Place. In the end of the first half it was a tight lead for Joes but the second half brought them home as they registered a 41-10 comfortable win in their final round one game of the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2026 campaign.
Tharin Silva kicked off proceedings for the Cambrians from left to right. Prince of Wales’ for a second week in a row showcased their strong rolling maul in the early stages. It took the Josephian’s 12 minutes to break the deadlock as they first went over the try line through the lock-forward Sathira Gunathilake. Minutes later Shanelka Cooray found space while applying the afterburners but a good cover tackle from the Cambrians last line of defense, Tharin Silva made Cooray’s run short, but a phase later the Josephian’s picked up where they left off as Sithanga Liyanage went over to extend the lead. Bryan Fernando successful with the boot both times around. (SJC 14-00 POW)
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Cambrian forwards were truly a treat to watch throughout the whole game, although the score-line shows a different story safe to say the Cambrian team has been wonderful and fighting with lots of heart. Forwards again up to the task with good support from their backs coming close to the try line but after two unsuccessful previous attempts at touch, third time around they opted for the three pointer and Kevindu Maduwantha pin point off the tee.
(SJC 14-03 POW)
Rest of the first half was possession shifting back and forth with scrums and lineouts going both towards both teams. Josephian’s making good head way and minutes before lemons made sure to go into the half time with a bigger lead as Sathira Gunathilake touched down for his second try. Bryan Fernando with a perfect conversion from the corner. (SJC 21 -10 POW)
Half Time: St.Joseph’s College 21 (3T,3C) – Prince of Wales’ College 03 (1P)
With second half proceedings underway it was the Cambrians making the first moves now. The crowd finding their voice as well. Pick and go was the plan and plan was indeed successful as Savindu Fernando the prop went over for the first Cambrian try. Maduwantha with the extras. (SJC 21-10 POW)
Prince of Wales maul throughout the game was impressive to watch. They gained a lot of meters with the Josephian’s not being able to find answers, but lacking the finishing touches was it. A ball going backwards from a phase play proving lucky for the Josephian’s saw Bryan Fernando spotting space in the middle and a long pass to his wing three Shanelka Cooray this time around made sure to insert his name in the scoresheet. (SJC 26-10 POW)
It was an all blue and white show from there onwards, not to forget there was definitely high resilience from the opposing side but the Joes were too strong. Skipper Inosh Silva crossed over twice in the nick of time through an easy pick and go and then a wonderful dummy sold on the run. Both times the conversions were unsuccessful. (SJC 36-10)
Josephian’s after last week’s defeat to the Double Blue, going into the Plate Segment in the week after needed a big score line to show their opponents that they are not to be toyed with as well. With the clock up at seventy minutes it was the forwards doing the meters making work and then the backs sending the ball out to the left hand wide side saw Hirusha Manahara crossing over from a classic wingers try as the game was bought to a close. Josephian’s ended their first round with 3 wins and 2 defeats while the Cambrians are yet to get their first win.
Full Time: St.Joseph’s College 41 (7T,3C) – Prince of Wales’ College 10 (1T,1C,1P)
Swisstek Perfect Player Of The Match: Sathira Gunathileka (SJC)
Points Breakdown
St.Joseph’s College 28
Sathira Gunathilake 2T, Inosh Silva 2T, Sithanga Liayanage 1T, Shanelka Cooray 1T, Hirusha Manahara 1T. Bryan Fernando 3C.
Prince of Wales’ College 20
Savindu Fernando 1T, Raveesha Maduwantha 1C,1P
