S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia stormed into the quarter-finals of the Dialog Schools Rugby Knockouts 2025 – President’s Trophy with a dominant 59 (9T 7C) -33 (5T 4C) win over Science College at the CR & FC Grounds. In an electrifying, fast-paced contest, the Thomians’ clinical execution and physicality proved too much for a spirited Science outfit, who despite scoring five tries, fell well short against their more polished opponents.
The match commenced with S. Thomas’ College asserting their dominance early on. Within the opening minutes, No. 8 Merckyle Karunaratne powered through the Science College defence to score the first try which was converted, giving S. Thomas’ the lead and setting the tone for the match. (STC 07 – 00 SC)
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A well-worked ball through the Thomian backline that landed in Avishka Perera’s hands, where he stepped off 3 defenders to go under the post for the second try of the match. With Udan Bulathsinghalage successfully adding the conversion, the Thomians lead was further extended. (STC 14 – 00 SC)
Science College responded swiftly. Collecting the ball just outside their 22-meter line off a Thomian kick, Science college capitalized on the scrambled Thomian defence when Dilruwan Perera stepped off his left foot twice, diving over for a try and successfully converting it himself. (STC 14 – 07 SC)
A lineout maul opened the Science defence for winger Mayanka Dias in the far corner to go over for the third try of the match and another successful conversion saw S. Thomas’ with a much more comfortable cushion on the points table. (STC 21 – 07 SC)
Science College pounced back with a series of phases just outside the 5-meter line when the scrum half Methuka Edirisinghe saw the slimmest of openings in the Thomian defence, scoring the second try for Science College and was converted successfully adding the extras. (STC 21 – 14 SC)
Building on their momentum, the Thomians orchestrated a series of pick and go’s at the 5 meter line, and Aiden Amaraweera crossed the line for his first try. With the conversion going through S Thomas’ lead was extended by another 7 points. (STC 28 – 14 SC)
Just before halftime, S. Thomas’ extended their lead once again when a show and go by fly-half Udan Bulathsinghalage put the Thomians to a comfortable lead at the end of the first half.
Half – Time : S. Thomas’ College 33 – 14 Science College
The second half commenced with Science College displaying renewed vigor, when skipper Dilruwan Perera fended off one to go under the post for his second try of the match, which he converted himself, narrowing the gap between the schools. (STC 33 – 21 SC)
- Thomas’ responded promptly, with winger Avishka stepping back in field to go over for his second try of the match, extending the Thomian lead with a successful conversion. (STC 40 – 21 SC)
The Thomians weren’t done yet. A clearance kick by Science which landed in the hands of the Thomian back line, allowed Thulci Aluwihare to gather the ball and score, and a wonderful conversion by Udan Bulathsinghalage further pushed the lead of the Thomians. (STC 47 – 21 SC)
A charged down clearance which landed on the hands of winger Mayanka Dias saw him step off a couple of defenders, ultimately giving it out to Udan Bulathsinghalage, who managed to stay in the field of play while being tackled to score for S. Thomas’ once again. (STC 52 – 21 SC)
Science with a quick tap off a penalty at the 5-meter line and a lazy Thomian defence showed scrum half Methuka Edirisinghe go over for his second try of the match, didn’t bring much hope for the Science college fans as time was not on their side. (STC 52 – 28 SC)
A couple of phases in the 65th minute helped S. Thomas’ get the highest score of the first round of the tournament when replacement hooker Zoyan Hameed went over the line with yet another successful conversion from the Thomians. (STC 59 – 28 SC)
In the dying moments of the game it was Methuka Edirisinghe once again who shows and goes over the line for his third try of the match, giving Science College one last consolation try right at the 70 minute mark of the game.
Full – Time : S. Thomas’ College 59 (9T 7C) defeated Science College 33 (5T 4C)
Swisstek Player of the Match : Chanuth Eheliyagoda (STC)
Points Breakdown
S. Thomas’ College: Mayanka Dias 17 points (1 Try, 6 Conversions), Udan Bulathsinghalage 10 points (2 Try ), Avishka Perera 10 points (2 Try), Merckyle Karunaratne 05 points (1 Try), Aiden Amaraweera 05 points (1 Try), Thulci Aluwihare 05 points (1 Try), Zoyan Hameed 05 points (1 Try), Dhevin Senavirathne 2 points ( 1 Conversion)
Science College: Dilruwan Perera 18 points (2 Try, 4 Conversions), Methuka Edirisinghe 15 points (3 Tries)
 -33 (5T 4C) win over Science College at the CR & FC Grounds. In an electrifying, fast-paced contest, the Thomians’ clinical execution and physicality proved too much for a spirited Science outfit, who despite scoring five tries, fell well short against their more polished opponents.){kind=link}