St. Peter’s College thumped the depleted St. Joseph’s College outfit 50 – 19 to regain the Fr. Basil Wirathunga Shield in their Week 02 encounter of the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2026, played at St. Peter’s College Grounds.
The home side got off to a dream start as Rajith Geon kicked off proceedings and St. Peter’s College immediately capitalised on an early turnover. Showing patience through several controlled phases, the hosts spread the ball wide with precision, allowing Hashara Madugashage to finish in the corner. Geon produced an excellent touchline conversion to give the Peterites the perfect opening. (SPC 07 – 00 SJC)
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St. Joseph’s College responded swiftly, earning a series of penalties that allowed them to build pressure deep inside opposition territory. Using their rolling maul effectively, the Joes pack marched forward before Sathira Gunathilaka crashed over after several powerful carries, reducing the deficit. (SPC 07 – 05 SJC)
However, poor discipline from the hosts soon proved costly as they conceded multiple penalties in quick succession. Opting for an attacking five-metre scrum, Joes Skipper Inosh Silva broke away brilliantly before linking with first five-eighth Bryan Fernando, who found space and stretched over for the score. Fernando added the conversion to hand St. Joseph’s the lead. (SPC 07 – 12 SJC)
After a prolonged spell in defence, St. Peter’s responded strongly. Their forwards laid the platform through sustained phase play before first five-eighth Jamal Wahab combined cleverly with Madugashage to push deep into the red zone. Wahab then regained possession and released flanker Lakindu Ranasinghe, who powered over for another crucial try. Geon was once again accurate from the tee. (SPC 14 – 12 SJC)
The Peterites continued to build momentum when Nethshan Manthusha produced a superb counterattacking run from deep inside his own half, shifting play back into attacking territory. From the ensuing lineout, the forwards executed a dominant rolling maul, with Revone Perera making a powerful surge to score their third try. Geon maintained his flawless kicking display by adding the extras. (SPC 21-12 SJC)
On the stroke of Half Time, St. Peter’s struck once more. Opting for the corner, their lineout was initially disrupted, but Skipper Shenaka Perera secured possession before hooker Cheval Abeygunewardane powered over from close range to secure the bonus-point try. Geon converted yet again, capping off an impressive first-half performance for the hosts.
Half Time: St. Peter’s College 28 (4T, 4C) – St. Joseph’s College 12 (2T, 1C)
St. Peter’s began the second half exactly where they left off, producing an immediate attacking spark from deep inside their own half. Nethshan Manthusha and Rashwin Sabar combined brilliantly in open play, with Sabar cutting back inside and straightening the attack before releasing Rajith Geon out wide. The winger finished in style, sprinting over in the corner, while Geon added yet another superb touchline conversion. (SPC 35 – 12 SJC)
St. Joseph’s knew they needed a quick response to stay in contention and mounted sustained pressure through more than ten phases in attack. Despite being held out initially by determined Peterite defence, repeated penalties eventually gave the visitors another opportunity close to the line. With St. Peter’s Skipper Shenauka Perera sent to the sin bin, the Josephians capitalised on their numerical advantage as Sathira Gunathilaka powered over for his second try of the match. Bryan Fernando added the conversion to keep Joes within reach. (SPC 35 – 19 SJC)
However, St. Peter’s responded emphatically once again. A poorly executed chip kick from Bryan Fernando was gathered brilliantly by Rashwin Sabar, who carved through multiple defenders in a dazzling solo effort before scoring under the posts.
The Peterites then turned defence into attack in devastating fashion. After absorbing pressure, scrum-half Shirash Perera injected pace into a counterattack with a brilliant break, creating space out wide for Hashara Madugashage to cross for his second try of the game. Ashok Krishan added the extras. (SPC 47 – 19 SJC)
With momentum firmly in their favour, St. Peter’s continued to punish their rivals, and Krishan later slotted over a penalty to bring up the half-century mark and cap off a dominant all-round display for the Bamba Brigade.
Full Time: St. Peter’s College 50 (7T, 6C, 1P) – St. Joseph’s College 19 (3T, 2C)
Swisstek Player of the Match: Hashara Madugasge (St. Peter’s College)
Points Breakdown
St. Peter’s College 50
Hashara Madugasge 2T, Lakindu Ranasinghe 1T, Revone Perera 1T, Cheval Abeygunewardane 1T, Rashwin Sabar 1T, Rajith Geon 1T, 5C, Ashok Krishan 1C, 1P
St. Joseph’s College 19
Sathira Gunathilaka 2T, Bryan Fernando 1T, 2C
