In a high-octane Quarter Final encounter at the Havelock Sports Club, Colombo, Royal College Colombo showcased immense resilience and character to overturn an early deficit and defeat traditional rivals S. Thomas’ College Mount Lavinia. The Royalists secured a convincing 22-point to 05-point victory, booking their place in the Semi Finals of the Dialogue Schools Rugby Knockouts 2026 – President’s Trophy Tournament.
S. Thomas’ made a deep kick-off, but it ended up crossing the deadline, resulting in ascrummageat the centre. Later, though both sides enjoyed good attacking positions, neither side managed to convert them into points. Later, S. Thomas received a lineout throw inside the royal territory. After a fumble, the Thomians managed to hold on to the ball and quickly sent it wide across their three-quarters. Mayanka Dias proved to be a tough player to be dealt with for the defence, slicing through the Royal backline to make a vital break. Then he ran around his opposite number, who was the last defender to take the first blood of the game. However, Mayanka missed a regulation chance with the conversion. (RC 00 – 05 STC)
With that try, the game momentum came in the way of S. Thomas, and they attacked thrice in quick succession into the Royal 22-metre area. However, the Royal defence was unshaken and prevented the Thomians from scoring. After some thrilling action, Royal went for a high-hanging kick, while Buluthsinghalage kept his eyes on the ball and jumped in the air to catch the ball; Hiruka Jayanidu recklessly and dangerously ran into the ball catcher. Hence, the Referee sent him out to rest in the naughty chair for 10 minutes.
However, the setback only seemed to ignite the Royal side. What followed was a period of intense, physical Rugby where both teams engaged in a close tussle for territory and possession. The Royal forwards began to assert their dominance in the set-pieces and the loose play. Their hard work was eventually rewarded when a fine bit of forward play created an opening to find an equaliser. The 14 men of the Royal Brigade managed to reach and fight against the Thomians in their opposite 22-metre area. However, the Thomians also defended hard, though they consumed a few penalties. After a series of pick-and-drive plays, a try for the Royal came courtesy of Dasis Pathirana, who scored by pushing three tacklers. Simak Mohommad made no mistake with the conversion. After trailing for the entire first half, Royal took the lead within the last seconds. (RC 07 – 05 STC)
Just after the conversion attempt, the match Referee Kelum Sandaruwan blew the short whistle for the lemons.
Half Time: Royal College 07 (1T, 1C) – S. Thomas’ College 05 (1T)
Later, the Royal outfit was restored to 15 men. From then onwards, Royalists intensified the attack and advanced into Thomian territory. After receiving a scrum in the opposition half, Royal worked the ball, and the centre three-quarters, Praveen, went through the defence like a hot knife through butter. Simak Mohommed again nailed the conversion attempt. (RC 12 – 05 STC)
After a brief play, Royal began to conquer the Thomians’ territory inch by inch. Suddenly three-quarters of the Royals went for a movement, and the full back, Simak Mohommed, managed to pierce the Thomian defensive wall from the right corner. Then, the winger Arik de Silva gained another good metre with a brilliant sidestep and run. The Thomians were unable to absorb the massive pressure that the Royalists were putting on, and they gave away a penalty. Royal went for a tap and go, and after a couple of phases the Royal skipper, Dasis Pathirana, showcased his Fijian power by pushing almost three opponents to cross the whitewash for the second time in the day. (RC 17 – 05 STC)
Then the fate of Thomians went bad to worse when Rashen Fernando was sin-binned by the Referee for a dangerous play. Later, Royal executed a brilliant attack but couldn’t make it to points. During the course, the finishing player of Royal Naveen Liyanage was also yellow-carded for using abusive language.
Then the fate of the Thomians went bad to worse when Rashen Fernando was sin-binned by the Referee for a dangerous play. Later, Rroyal executed a brilliant attack but couldn’t make it to points. During the course, the finishing player of Royal, Naveen Liyanage, was also yellow-carded for using abusive language.
Then S. Thomas’ made a fumble at their lineout throw, and it ended up giving possession back to the Royalists. Their royal second rower, Yumith, made a magnificent break by running around the Thomian three-quarters and brought the game into the 22-metre mark of the Thomians. Then Royal showcased an eye-catching attack, and the ball was finally sent wide across the back line. Then the winger Kavan Ekanayake went through a gap from the far left and cut back inside to plant the bonus-point try. Then the fate of the Thomians went bad to worse when Rashen Fernando was sin-binned by the Referee for a dangerous play. Later, Royal executed a brilliant attack but was unable to make it to points. (RC 22 – 05 STC)
During the dying stage of the game, Royal tried to capitalise on their lead, while S. Thomas’ thrived to plant a consolation try. Though the arch-rivals had a few opportunities to do so, the tired bodies and mounting mistakes prevented them from doing so.
In summary, the second half was a completely different story for Royal College, who came out of the tunnels looking like a team possessed, turning the contest into a one-sided affair, apart from some occasional brilliance by the Thomians. The Royalists were simply unstoppable, firing on all cylinders while their defence remained an impenetrable wall. Most impressively, Royal did not concede a single point throughout the remainder of the game after that early shock from Mayanka Dias. Placekicking will be an area of concern for the Royal management as they missed a few regulation chances which can be a decider in the crucial encounters.
With this dominating victory, Royal College has not only silenced their critics but also sent a stern warning to the remaining contenders. Having successfully navigated a tough Quarter Final against their arch-rivals, the team’s confidence is sky-high. They now march into the Semi Finals looking formidable, and are widely regarded as a top-rated title contender side capable of lifting the trophy.
Full Time: Royal College 22 (4T, 1C) – S. Thomas’ College, Mt. Lavinia 05 (1T)
