It was a gloomy Saturday afternoon when Mahanama faced off against Prince of Wales, going head to head at Air Force Grounds, Rathmalana. Both teams were almost equal in every aspect and were searching for their first win of the season – hence both teams came out into this match to give their two hundred percent and get their first win of their Dialog Schools Rugby League 2026 campaign. At the end of the contest, it was Mahanama coming away with hard fought narrow win, putting up 28 – 20 on the board.
With the unpredictable weather pulling the proceedings back to 3.30 pm, both teams were desperate to get their maiden win and had only the W in mind. Throughout the three games played so far in the season, the Mahanama backs have done a good job, with Cambrian forwards having helped their side – a clear difference in go forward tactics. Mahanama made few changes to their side as Kalhara Dias and Mandilu Hapuhinna returned back to the starting lineup, and with only one team able to come on top, it was all to play for the next seventy minutes. Mahanama and the Cambrians exchanged possession, with both sides coming close to the try line and going back the same way they came forward. In the 18th minute, it was Viduna Adipattu making the effort of charging down Charith Silva’s kick and succeeding in it, collecting the ball and going over for the first try of the day. Rathnayaka delivered with the extras. (MC 07 – 00 POW)
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Throughout the game, both teams had plenty of lineouts, but the Cambrians stood out the most as their lineouts created mauls, and these mauls were grooving! We have seen the Royal maul go forward, but the Cambrian maul today was a treat to watch. Suren Nimsara did tons of hard work at the back of the maul and scrums. The Cambrians first score came through a lineout little dummy shown by Theekshana Munasinghe, as if the maul was going to be created and crossing over meant it was the first try for the Cambrians as they joined in on the party. (MC 07 – 05)
A quick tap taken from stand-off Danuja saw the Mahanama player’s inches from their try line, and then the big number eight Vemanga Vishal took matters to his own hands and went over for the second try in the way of Mahanama. Rathnayaka was on point with the extras.
Just at the brink of Half Time, it was the Cambrians going over on the left side corner through scrumhalf Anuhas Theekshana from a well-constructed mall – evidently their favorite and most dangerous weapon. With the Cambrians just four points behind, Mahanama did not know what hit them. The first thirty-five showed plenty of silly mistakes and unforced errors, and both team headed into lemons to have a good talk and get their act together. (MC 14 – 10 POW)
Half Time: Mahanama College 14 (2T, 2C) – Prince of Wales’ College 10 (2T)
The Cambrians wasted no time to get into the thick of the action in the second half. A lineout and a maul later saw the back spreading the ball out wide well met with defense, but all of a sudden the ball popped out from contact. However, it was Raveesha Maduwantha at the correct place at the correct time as he picked the ball and went over for the third Cambrians score, and the lead was theirs for the first time in the game. A few minutes later, the lads from Moratuwa crossed over, again this time through their key player Suren Nimsara in the right hand side far corner, for their bonus point try to extend their lead. The Mahanama players’ faces evidently showed everyone that they did not expect this level of ruthlessness from the Cambrians. Unfortunately, both tries went unconverted. (MC 14 – 20 POW)
For a while, it seemed that the Cambrians were going to cause the ultimate upset, then in the nick of time it was the center Nihindu Bandara coming together with the forwards to go over the white wash through a pick and go, and retained the lead for Mahanama with a good conversion from Rathnayaka. With minutes left in the game, Mahanama needed the bonus point and something more than just a one-point victory. Just then stepped out returning Skipper Hapuhinna and returning scrumhalf Kalhara Dias, as one broke the first line of defense and the other got the offload to hand and going inches away from the try line. With the help of his forwards, it was Sethika Fonseka crossing over, and with a successful conversion from Rathnayaka, it meant it was the game for Mahanama. With that, it meant Mahanama finally get their first win of the year, and their first win of the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2026, breaking their long term losing streak. (MC 28 – 20 POW)
Full Time: Mahanama College 28 (4T, 4C) – Prince of Wales’ College 20 (4T)
- Swisstek Perfect Player of The Match: Sithum Rathnayaka (MC)
Points Breakdown
Mahanama College 28
Viduna Adipattu 1T, Vemanga Vishal 1T, Nihindu Bandara 1T, Sethika Fonseka 1T, Sithum Rathnayaka 4C.
Prince of Wales’ College 20
Theekshana Anuhas 1T, Raveesha Maduwantha 1T, Theekshana Munasinghe 1T, Suren Nimsara 1T
