In a week 3 fixture of the Dialog Schools Rugby League, Zahira College Maradana overcame Royal College 29-26 in a crunch encounter at the Royal College Sports Complex.
The Zahirians started the game off strong, building a strong attacking platform. They stretched the Royal defense with some long passes before their center Farhan Fazlath went over for the first try of the game. Saifullah Zulfikar missed the conversion. (Zahira 05 – 00 Royal)
Zahira didn’t wait too long to draw second blood. A huge number 8 break from Muzil Samath, shrugged off a few Royal defenders to go over. Zulfikar knocked over the extras to extend Zahira’s lead. (Zahira 12 – 00 Royal)
Royal needed to reply back and not allow the visitors into the game any further. A beauty of a running angle from Royal center Hiruka Jayadinu from just 5 meters out, cracked open an unstructured Zahirian defense as he dotted the ball down for Royal’s first try. The conversion from Kavindu Hewage was no good. (Zahira 12 – 05 Royal)
Not much to show from the 20th to the 35th minute from both teams. However the Royal Captain Disas Pathirana was sent to the bin, a few minutes before half time, which added to Royal’s troubles.
Half Time – Zahira College 12 (2T, 1C) vs Royal College 05 (1T)
It was important that Royal managed the first few minutes of the second half with only the 14 men. However, as soon as they were restored back to their full complement of players, Disas Pathirana created a gap outside for Kavan Ekanayake who touched down in the corner. Simak Shafeek put through a difficult conversion to level the scores. (Zahira 12 – 12 Royal)
But then came the big moment for the Royalists when they lost playmaker Jayadinu to the bin, for a late charge. This sparked some energy in the Zahirian camp as they went over for back-to-back-to-back tries.
The first one came off a lineout, where Saifullah Zulfikar picked and went over, catching the Royal fringe defense napping. (Zahira 17 – 12 Royal)
With the numbers advantage, Zain Zahim put in a big kick to expose some space in the Royal back field, as the Zahirians flocked in to win a turnover. Afham Abdeen took no second invitation to take the penalty quickly, and dot it down over the line. (Zahira 22 – 12 Royal)
The next score came on a platter for the Zahirians. Simak Shafeek threw a loose pass right into the hands of Afham Abdeen who ran over for his second try. Zulfikar put the kick through to extend the lead . (Zahira 29 – 12 Royal)
Royal had 12 minutes to mount a comeback. A big tackle from Royal forced the Zahirians to cough the ball up into the hands of speedster Dinuka Perera who sprinted in for Royal’s 3rd try. Simak Shafeek added the extras to make it a 10 point game. (Zahira 29 – 19 Royal)
Despite the Zahira College defense holding up, Royal put up a long string of phases to open up a gap in midfield for Praveen Nimsara to go over for a try. The conversion from Shafeek was good and brought Royal within 3 points. (Zahira 29 – 26 Royal)
One minute left. 3 points the deficit. Royal had to go the length of the field. They started putting some pace on the ball with a few fiery hits up the middle. Then came the ball to skipper Pathirana who drew the last man and passed the ball to his winger Dinuka Perera. The Zahirian defense was drifting on him. He accelerated and went through to score the try, setting ablaze. Moments later, the flag of the touch judge was in the air. Perera’s foot was in touch on-route to the try. No try. Time up. Zahira win a famous victory.
Rugby is a game of very fine margins. Zahira won this one by the barest of margins. But a well deserved victory.
Full Time – Zahira College 29 (5T, 2C) vs Royal College 26 (4T, 3C)
- Swisstek Perfect Player of the Match – Afham Abdeen (ZC)
Zahira College
- Farhan Fazlath 1T
- Muzil Samath 1T
- Saifullah Zulfikar 2C 1T
- Afham Abdeen 2T
Royal College
- Hiruka Jayadinu – 1T
- Kavan Ekanayake – 1T
- Dinuka Perera – 1T
- Praveen Nimsara – 1T
- Simak Shafeek – 3C
