S. Thomas’ College clashed against Zahira College in the 2nd week’s encounter of the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2025 at St. Thomas’ School Grounds yesterday (14th June). The Thomians came out strong, registering a win by beating Zahira 43-19 and managing to secure their unbeaten run for yet another week.
From the start, there was very competitive play by both teams. The kick-off was well collected by the Zahirians, but their clearance kick was successfully charged down by the Thomians, and the ball went into the in-goal area off the block. Though the Thomians chased the ball in an attempt to score, the Zahirians managed to concede an own try and get out of jail through a goal-line drop-out.
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The first 20 minutes went without scoring, as the wet conditions on the ground hindered scoring opportunities. In the 21st minute, Akith Cooray broke the deadlock by piercing a gap on the centerline and sprinting 50 meters to plant the first try under the posts. Mayanka Dias added the extras with a successful conversion. (STC 07-00 Zahira)
On the brink of half-time, the Thomians launched a heavy attack with their forwards near the try line. Though the Zahirians put up maximum resistance, Tieshya Aluvihare managed to barge his way over to score their second try. Once again, Mayanka Dias made no mistake with the conversion. (STC 14-00 Zahira)
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With that conversion, the short whistle was blown, and the Thomians enjoyed a clear lead at lemons. In the first half, the Zahirians put up a spirited performance but were unable to convert their occasional brilliance into points.
Half-time: St. Thomas’ College, Mt. Lavinia 14 – 00 Zahira College, Maradana
In the initial minutes of the second half, the Zahirians had a good passage of play and advanced close to the try line. They secured their first try through inside center Zain Zahim after good handling by the three-quarters. Abdulla Hasan made no mistake with the conversion from a difficult angle. (STC 14-07 Zahira)
Later, St. Thomas’ kept pressuring the lads from Maradana with a superb pick-and-go passage. The effort was rewarded when outside center Chanuth Ehaliyagoda bulldozed past a few defenders to score. Mayanka Dias nailed the conversion to extend their lead. (STC 21-07 Zahira)
Akith Cooray then executed a splendid kick to earn a 50-22 lineout. The Thomian forwards labored against Zahira’s solid defense before switching the ball wide, where Mckyle Karunaratne crossed over from the blind side of a ruck to secure the bonus point try. Dias impressed with the conversion from a difficult angle. (STC 28-07 Zahira)
When the game seemed in Thomian control, Zahira skipper Luqman Al Hakeem stepped up, spotting a gap in the defense and sprinting through, evading three tacklers to score a brilliant try. This time, Hasan had an easy angle and added the extras. (STC 28-14 Zahira)
A few minutes later, the Thomians created another scoring opportunity. Mckyle Karunaratne produced an exceptional offload to Avishka Perera while taking on two tacklers. Avishka ran toward the corner flag, cut inside with a sidestep, and went over the try line along with a tackler. Though referee Jeewaka Fonseka initially ruled it a knock-on, the TMO, after reviewing the footage, awarded the try. (STC 33-14 Zahira)
After the restart, the Zahirians opted to play dangerously inside their 22 without clearing, ultimately conceding a penalty for not releasing. With a 19-point cushion and under 10 minutes remaining, the Thomians surprisingly chose a penalty kick—perhaps to halt Zahira’s momentum after their last try. Dias added another three points. (STC 36-14 Zahira)
But Zahira responded quickly, playing into Thomian territory. Luqman broke through and unselfishly offloaded to Hasan for their third try. Hasan’s conversion from near the corner narrowly missed. (STC 36-19 Zahira)
That wasn’t enough to spoil the Thomians’ party. In the dying minutes, Zahira conceded a silly penalty for offside at a ruck. Sensing an opportunity, Karunaratne, showing great game awareness, took a quick tap on the 5-meter line and crossed over for his second try.
Dias put the cherry on top of their commanding victory with the final conversion. Though Zahira made a valiant effort in the final minute to score a consolation try, the high-flying Thomians held firm, and the score remained unchanged until the long whistle.
Full-time score: St. Thomas’ College, Mt. Lavinia 43 – 19 Zahira College, Maradana
Swisstek Player of the Match: Chanuth Eheliyagoda (St. Thomas’ College)
Points Breakdown
St. Thomas’ College, Mt. Lavinia – 43
Mckyle Karunaratne 2 T, Akith Cooray 1 T, Tieshya Aluvihare 1 T, Chanuth Eheliyagoda 1 T, Avishka Perera 1 T Mayanka Dias 1 P 5 C
Zahira College, Maradana – 19
Zain Zahim 1 T, Luqman Al Hakeem 1 T Abdulla Hasan 1 T 2 C
. Thomians came out strong, registering a win by beating Zahira 43-19, and managed to secure their unbeaten run for yet another week.){kind=link}