St. Peter’s College delivered a clinical attacking display and held off a spirited late comeback from Isipathana College to secure a crucial 29-25 victory in a thrilling Dialog Schools Rugby League 2026 Cup Segment encounter at Havelock Park.
Both sides entered the contest having suffered one defeat each in the Cup Segment, making this a must-win encounter to keep their league ambitions on track. It was the visitors who made the stronger start, dominating the early exchanges through a series of penalties that provided valuable territory. From a well-executed lineout deep inside the opposition 22, St. Peter’s launched a powerful rolling maul that proved impossible to stop, with Hashara Madugasge peeling off the back to score the opening try of the match. (IC 00-05 SPC)
Isipathana responded immediately after the restart. A handling error from St. Peter’s handed possession back to the Green Machine, who patiently built momentum through several phases close to the ruck. Playing with a penalty advantage, scrum-half Methupa Bimsath cleverly chipped the ball over the defensive line, and skipper Shaakib Zumri rose above Senuth Dinsara to win the aerial contest before grounding the ball for the equalizing try. (IC 05-05 SPC)
- Zahira’s Historic Triumph Headlines Action-Packed Rugby Weekend
- Isipathana reclaim Milroy Fernando Trophy with dominant victory over Royal
- Zahira Overturn Ten-Point Deficit to Shock Peterites
- No Room for Error: Super Round Stakes Escalate Across Cup, Plate, and Bowl Segments
The hosts continued to ride the momentum and soon added a second score. Their forwards worked tirelessly through a series of controlled pick-and-drive phases, inching ever closer to the try line. With the Peterite defence under pressure, Zumri produced a powerful carry, brushing aside a couple of defenders before crashing over for his second try of the afternoon. (IC 10-05 SPC)
Despite conceding two quick tries, St. Peter’s fought their way back into the contest. Another penalty allowed them to set up camp inside the Isipathana red zone, and their trademark rolling maul gained significant ground before being halted just short of the line. Quick ball was then moved to Nethshan Manthusha, who showed great strength and footwork to evade the defence and score. Ashok Krishan added an excellent conversion to hand the visitors a narrow lead. (IC 10-12 SPC)
With the momentum firmly in their favour, St. Peter’s continued to make inroads into the Isipathana defence. A clearance kick was safely gathered by Ashok Krishan, who quickly shifted the ball through the backline. The Peterite backs moved possession swiftly towards the far corner, creating space for Rashwin Sabar to slice through the defensive line. As the cover defence closed in, Sabar produced a brilliant basketball-style offload to the supporting Senuth Dinsara, who timed his run to perfection before collecting the pass and diving over in the corner. (IC 10-17 SPC)
The Peterites struck again just before halftime to further strengthen their grip on the contest. From a lineout deep inside Isipathana territory, the forwards carried strongly through several phases, gradually edging closer to the try line. With the defence compressed around the breakdown, scrum-half Shirash Perera cleverly switched play to the blindside, catching the hosts off guard. Nethshan Manthusha received the pass and showed tremendous power to fend off two defenders before crashing over in the corner. The try ensured St. Peter’s carried a healthy advantage into the halftime break.
Half Time: Isipathana College 10 (2T) – St. Peter’s College 22 (4T,1C)
Isipathana emerged from the halftime break with renewed intensity and were rewarded for their efforts soon after. Once again, they turned to their rolling maul, a weapon that had troubled the Peterites throughout the contest. Skipper Shaakib Zumri secured the lineout throw and cleverly kept possession with him in the maul. With St. Peter’s initially refusing to contest, Zumri held onto the ball before transferring possession only when a defender committed to the maul. The timely switch allowed Damsara Witharana to break away and dive over for Isipathana’s opening try of the second half. (IC 15-22 SPC)
St. Peter’s responded positively despite conceding. Their forwards came agonisingly close to scoring after a sustained spell of pressure but were held up over the line. However, the resulting goal-line dropout handed the visitors another attacking platform. Launching an immediate counterattack, Rashwin Sabar once again pierced the Isipathana defensive line with a powerful run. Quick recycling followed, and although Shirash Perera’s offload from the breakdown was untidy, the loose ball bounced kindly for Lakindu Ranasinghe, who gathered possession and crossed over in the corner. Rajith Geon then produced an excellent conversion from the touchline to stretch the Peterites’ lead to fourteen points. (IC 15-29 SPC)
With the game slipping away in the closing stages, Isipathana threw everything at the St. Peter’s defence. A slick passing movement across the backline created space for Rishmi Jafrad on the outside, and the winger sliced through the defence to launch a late attack. The hosts eventually crossed for a consolation try through Tharuka Jayaweera in the corner during the final play of the match. However, missed conversions proved costly as St. Peter’s held firm to secure a vital victory and keep their title hopes firmly alive.
Full Time: Isipathana College 25 (5T) – St. Peter’s College 29 (5T,2C)
Swisstek Player of the Match: Nethshan Manthusha (St. Peter’s College)
Points Breakdown
Isipathana College 25
Shaakib Zumri 2T, Damsara Witharana 1T, Rishmi Jafrad 1T, Tharuka Jayaweera 1T
St. Peter’s College 29
Hashara Madugasge 1T, Nethshan Manthusha 2T, Lakindu Ranasinghe 1T, Senuth Dinsara 1T, Rajith Geon 1C , Ashok Krishan 1C
