S. Thomas’ College produced a stunning second-half comeback to defeat favourites Zahira College 35-26 in a thrilling Week 04 encounter of the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2026 played at Zahira College Grounds.
A crucial Group 3A clash — widely regarded as the “group of death” in the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2026 — got underway with Zain Zahim kicking off for the hosts as Zahira College and S. Thomas’ College locked horns in a high-intensity encounter.
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The home side made a dominant start, immediately pinning the Thomians deep inside their own territory through a series of penalties. A powerful rolling maul marched Zahira close to the whitewash before the forwards tightened play around the fringes. Loose-head prop Ahamed Arafath eventually crashed over following a massive carry to score the opening try. Tempers flared moments later as an on-field altercation between Arafath and Vishwa Ariyawansa resulted in both players being shown yellow cards. Saifullah Sulfikar added the conversion to cap off the perfect opening for Zahira.(ZC 07-00 STC)
However, the Thomians responded immediately. From the restart, Zahira attempted to run the ball out from deep inside their own half but lost possession at the breakdown. Sensing an opportunity, the visitors launched a series of powerful forward carries, with playmaker Mayanka Dias slicing through a gap to bring play within metres of the line. After several patient phases close to the try line, hooker Amaan Imran powered over to reduce the deficit. Dias’ conversion attempt was brilliantly charged down, denying the visitors the extras. (ZC 07-05 STC)
The contest continued to open up as Zahira regained momentum through their forward dominance, steadily wearing down the Thomian defence. Scrum-half Afham Abdeen then produced a moment of brilliance, spotting a gap around the ruck before selling a clever dummy and darting past the entire defensive line to score under the posts. Sulfikar added the conversion to extend the lead. (ZC 14-05 STC)
The Thomians, however, refused to back down. Once again, Mayanka Dias proved instrumental, breaking through the Zahira defensive line to ignite another attacking movement. Quick and decisive phases from the forwards created the platform before Archer Mendis sold a sharp dummy just metres from the line to sneak over for the visitors’ second try as the teams headed into halftime with only four points separating them.
Half Time: Zahira College 14 (2T,2C) – S. Thomas’ College 10 (2T)
The visitors carried their momentum into the second half, immediately applying pressure and earning a penalty for an offside infringement. Playmaker Mayanka Dias calmly slotted over the kick to reduce the deficit to just a single point. (ZC 14-13 STC)
Moments later, the Thomians took full advantage of a costly mistake from the restart. A clearance kick from Zaydaan Akbar was misjudged by Zahira fullback Imadh Inam, who failed to gather the bouncing ball cleanly. Chasing hard, Reshan Warnasuriya reacted quickest to collect possession before the forwards piled into the attack. After several powerful carries close to the line, Tieshya Aluwihare crashed over to hand the visitors the lead, with Dias adding the conversion. (ZC 14-20 STC)
Zahira College responded immediately through their dominant forward play. A powerful rolling maul marched over the line, allowing Zain Hassan to score from the back of the drive and reduce the deficit to a single point once again. (ZC 19-20 STC)
A few minutes later, Zahira regained the lead through a brilliant territorial kick from Zain Zahim, whose superb 50-22 set up another attacking platform deep inside Thomian territory. The hosts built pressure patiently through multiple forward phases before replacement prop Ahmed Riyas powered over for the bonus-point try. Saifullah Sulfikar added the conversion to extend Zahira’s advantage. (ZC 26-20 STC)
However, the momentum shifted dramatically once more as S. Thomas’ College raised the intensity. Their forwards laid the platform with a series of strong carries that gained valuable metres before skipper Mckyle Karunarathne broke through the Zahira defence to score beneath the posts. Dias converted to make it a one-point game yet again. (ZC 26-27 STC)
The Thomians continued to press and soon struck once more. After the forwards established another solid attacking platform inside the red zone, the backs finally came into play as Dias combined brilliantly with his fullback Roja Karawita before releasing the winger Mohmed Zabri out wide to finish in the corner, extending the visitors’ lead. (ZC 26-32 STC)
Holding a 12-point cushion in the closing stages, the Thomians sealed the contest when a penalty for a high tackle allowed Dias to add another three points from the tee. From there, the visitors controlled the final minutes superbly to complete a stunning comeback victory over the highly fancied Zahira outfit.
Full Time: Zahira College 26 (4T,3C) – S. Thomas’ College 35 (5T,2C,2P)
Swisstek Player of the Match: Mayanka Dias (S. Thomas’ College)
Points Breakdown
Zahira College 26
Ahamed Arafath 1T, Afham Abdeen 1T, Zain Hassan 1T, Ahmed Riyas 1T, Saifullah Sulfikar 3C
S. Thomas’ College 35
Amaan Imran 1T, Archer Mendis 1T , Tieshya Aluwihare 1T, Mckyle Karunarathne 1T, Mohmed Zabri 1T, Mayanka Dias 2C,2P
