Royal College produced a dominant performance to defeat D.S. Senanayake College 41-24 in their quarterfinal clash of the Dialog Schools Rugby Knockouts 2025 President’s Trophy at Havelock Park.
Royal College launched the final quarterfinal of the Dialog Schools Rugby Knockouts 2025 in style, striking immediately after kick-off. Capitalizing on a lineout deep inside opposition territory, their forwards laid the platform with two powerful phases before the ball was swung wide. Inside Centre Hiruka Jayadinu drew in defenders and released a long pass to skipper Amika Samarasinghe, who sprinted down the touchline to open the scoring. Idris Farouk added the extras for a dream start.(RC 07-00 DS)
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Royal maintained their momentum, piling relentless pressure on D.S. Senanayake College. Their forwards hammered away with pick-and-drive phases, testing the Donz defense. Eventually, Jayadinu orchestrated another slick backline move, again unlocking space for Samarasinghe, who muscled past the final defender to score his second try. Farouk nailed a stunning conversion from the corner to stretch the lead further. (RC 14-00 DS)
DS struggled to find a foothold in the game and surrendered possession frequently. A pinpoint 50-22 kick by Yuwan Pathirana gave Royal another attacking platform. No. 8 Disas Pathirana and Naqeeb Mohamed made vital carries to inch closer to the line before prop Yoshitha Sithumina bulldozed his way over from close range. Farouk slotted the easy conversion to make it three from three. (RC 21-00 DS)
The Donz finally gained some momentum late in the half. A kick to the corner from a penalty allowed them to set up a rolling maul. Though Praveen Lakmal was stopped just short, DS continued with patient pick-and-drive phases. Eventually, tight head prop Thimath Bogahawatta powered over for their first points of the match, with Tatheera Perera converting. (RC 21-07 DS)
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Just before the break, DS struck again. A series of penalties pushed them into Royal’s red zone. After their rolling maul was halted, they used strong carries to inch forward. No. 8 Praveen Lakmal switched direction and surged through a gap to score, closing the gap at halftime and giving DS a glimmer of hope.
Half Time: Royal College 21 (3T,3C) – D.S Senanayake College 12 (2T,1C)
Royal College picked up right where they left off, carrying their first-half dominance into the second period with an immediate strike. Shifting the ball swiftly through the hands to the wide channels, winger Didula Jayasuriya found space down the flank. With an incisive inside step, he outfoxed DS fullback Chamith Samarasinghe to score a dazzling try. Idris Farouk made no mistake with the conversion. (RC 28-12 DS)
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Royal’s backs continued to slice through the Donz defense with clinical precision. Fly-half Yuwan Pathirana spotted space behind the defensive line and executed a perfectly weighted chip kick. Skipper Amika Samarasinghe was on hand to gather and dot down for his hat-trick, extending Royal’s commanding lead. (RC 33-12 DS)
Farouk then added a straightforward penalty from in front of the posts as DS continued to concede at the breakdown, compounding their struggles. (RC 36-12 DS)
Despite the uphill battle, D.S. Senanayake College produced a moment of brilliance. Their forwards laid a solid platform before the ball was released to the backs. Outside center Rasindu Bandara showed class and pace, stepping inside and slicing through the Royal defense to score under the posts. Tatheera Perera added the conversion. (RC 36-19 DS)
However, Royal responded immediately. Straight from the restart, they launched a counterattack from deep inside their own 22-meter line. Moving the ball smoothly from right to left, the play found replacement winger Dinuka Perera, who turned on the jets to outpace the weary DS defenders and score in the corner. (RC 41-19 DS)
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D.S. Senanayake College managed to have the final say on the scoreboard, as their forwards strung together a series of powerful carries deep in Royal territory. No. 8 Praveen Lakmal eventually muscled his way over the line for a hard-earned consolation try to close out the game.
With a comprehensive performance, Royal College secured a spot in the semifinals, where they will face defending champions Isipathana College in what promises to be a thrilling encounter.
Full Time: Royal College 41 (6T,4C,1P) – D.S Senanayake College 24 (4T,2C)
Swisstek Player of the Match: Yuwan Pathirana (Royal College)
Points Breakdown
Royal College 41
Amika Samarasinghe 3T, Yoshitha Sithumina 1T, Didula Jayasuriya 1T, Dinuka Perera 1T, Idris Farouk 4C,1P
D.S Senanayake College 24
Praveen Lakmal 2T, Thimath Bogahawatta 1T, Rasindu Bandara 1T, Tatheera Perera 2C.
