Kingswood Put on a Show to Down Spirited Mahanama Outfit

In a must-win clash for both teams vying for a Plate Segment qualification spot, Mahanama College kicked things off through playmaker Sithum Sandeepa. However, the visitors were immediately on the back foot when Tharusha Deshan was shown a yellow card for tackling a player in the air.

Kingswood College made full use of the numerical advantage. Their forwards drove deep into opposition territory, earning a penalty. Centre Ashik Asmi reacted quickly, taking a tap and feeding powerful No. 8 Maduranga Pushpakumara, who barged over for the opening try. (KCK 05-00 MC)

Mahanama responded in the 23rd minute through a moment of individual brilliance from Sandeepa. The fly-half sliced through the Kingswood defensive line with elusive footwork and silky angles, making a stunning break from halfway. He was brought down just five meters short, but Mahanama retained possession and played a few tight phases before prop Deshan Avishka crashed over under the posts. Sandeepa converted to hand the visitors the lead. (KCK 05-07 MC)

That lead was short-lived, as Kingswood replied almost immediately. Sustained pressure from the forwards forced an offside penalty, and skipper Thaveesha Ekanayake opted to take the three points. Rivin Bawdween made no mistake with the kick. (KCK 08-07 MC)

On the brink of halftime, Kingswood’s backline showed flair with quick hands to reach the red zone again. A series of penalties followed, and skipper Ekanayake took a quick tap, allowing the forwards to continue battering the defense. Eventually, Pushpakumara powered over once again to complete his brace. (KCK 13-07 MC)

Things got even better for the home side when the Kingswood backline sparked another line break. With clever offloads and precise support running, Pushpakumara was once again on the receiving end—sprinting untouched to complete a stunning first-half hat-trick. Rusith Thamodya converted to close out a brilliant first half for the boys from Kandy.

After a lively first half, the opening ten minutes of the second period remained scoreless, with both teams trading possession in the middle of the park. Mahanama College eventually broke the deadlock when they were awarded a penalty for hands in the ruck. Fly-half Sithum Sandeepa calmly slotted the three-pointer to reduce the deficit. (KCK 20-10 MC)

However, Kingswood hit back to secure the game. A costly knock-on by Mahanama fullback Malinka Danula gifted the home side a five-meter scrum. From the set-piece, replacement scrum-half Sanuth Sethmal distributed quickly to Menusha Marasinghe, who dazzled the defense with nimble footwork and stepped his way through for the bonus-point try. Rivin Bawdween added the conversion with ease. (KCK 27-10 MC)

In the dying stages of the game, Mahanama found a late spark. Centre Navith Kannangara broke through the Kingswood defense with a brilliant line break, causing defenders to scramble. Supported well by Sandeepa, Kannangara received the ball back before offloading to scrum-half Sithupa Dewmina, who dotted down for a consolation try. Sandeepa converted to add the final points of the game.

With this victory, Kingswood College sealed their spot in the Plate Segment, while Mahanama College now face a do-or-die clash against Zahira next weekend to battle for the remaining slot.

Swisstek Perfect Player of the Match:

Thaveesha Ekanayake (Kingswood College)