S. Thomas’ College held off a determined late surge from Kingswood College to seal a thrilling 29-28 win in their opening week clash of the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2025, played at the S. Thomas’ College Grounds, Mount Lavinia.
S. Thomas’ College edged out Kingswood College in a thrilling 29–28 victory to kick off their 2025 campaign, surviving a dramatic late surge in their Week One fixture.
Rivin Sashen got proceedings underway, and the drama unfolded almost immediately. S. Thomas’ skipper Venuka Wickramasuriya fumbled the opening kickoff, handing Kingswood an early scrum deep inside the 22-meter line. From the set-piece, flanker-turned-No. 8 Akila Dilshan broke away powerfully, bringing play within striking distance. The forwards followed up with controlled carries before the towering Maduranga Pushpakumara crashed over under the posts. Sashen made no mistake with the conversion to give Kingswood an early 7-0 lead.
(STC 0 -7 KCK)
The game remained evenly contested until Kingswood conceded an offside penalty near the 40-meter mark. S. Thomas’ kicked to touch and executed a strong rolling maul from the lineout. No. 8 Mckyle Karunarathne surged forward, and hooker Amaan Imran finished the move by crashing over from close range. Mayanka Dias slotted the conversion to level the scores.
(STC 7 -7 KCK)
The Thomians kept the momentum going. Sustained phases inside the Kingswood 22 saw flanker Tieshya Aluwihare break through the defense and bring play to within five meters. After several pick-and-go phases, Karunarathne forced his way over for the team’s second try. Dias added the extras to give STC a 14-7 lead.
(STC 14 -7 KCK)
Just before the break, S. Thomas’ won an attacking lineout inside Kingswood territory thanks to a solid aerial contest by Jehan Wanigasooriya. However, a lapse in concentration saw the ball spill loose. Kingswood flanker Chanidu Adikari reacted sharply, pounced on the ball, and ran in untouched for a crucial score. Sashen converted to level the game.
Half Time: S. Thomas’ College 14 (2T, 2C) – Kingswood College 14 (2T, 2C)
S. Thomas’ came out firing in the second half. Kingswood scrum-half Thaveesha Ekanayake attempted a run from deep, but prop Sithil Perera executed a brilliant turnover. Skipper Wickramasuriya quickly spun the ball to the blindside, linking up with flankers Shalin Wanigasooriya and Tieshya Aluwihare. After drawing in the defenders, Shalin offloaded to Aluwihare, who dived over in the corner. Dias struck a stunning conversion from the touchline.
(STC 21 -14 KCK)
The hosts continued to dominate, launching a powerful driving maul from a lineout. While Kingswood halted the initial surge, the Thomians kept the pressure on through close-range pick-and-drives before tighthead prop Sithil Perera muscled over for the bonus-point try.
(STC 26 -14 KCK)
Their lead extended when Kingswood’s hooker Duleesha Rasanjana was penalized for a high tackle. Skipper Wickramasuriya opted for the posts, and Dias calmly added three more points.
(STC 29 -14 KCK)
Kingswood weren’t finished. In the final five minutes, loosehead prop Thulshan Madugalle sliced through the Thomian defence to bring play close. The ball was sent wide, where centre Ashik Asmi finished the move under pressure. Sashen converted to keep the Kingswood dream alive.
(STC 29 -21 KCK)
Moments later, high drama struck. Kingswood winger Sadew Amarasuriya intercepted a pass and kicked ahead from halfway. Sachintha Naveesha gathered the bouncing ball and headed toward the corner. Thomian fullback Seneshka Liyanagunawardena made a desperate tackle but failed to release the ball carrier on the ground. After reviewing the play, referee Raveen Alexander awarded a penalty try and sent Liyanagunawardena to the sin-bin.
(STC 29 -28 KCK)
In the nail-biting final minute, the 14-man Thomian side showed composure and discipline, retaining possession and winding down the clock to secure a hard-fought one-point victory.
Full Time: S. Thomas’ College 29 (4T,3C,1P) – Kingswood College 28 (4T,4C)
- Swisstek Perfect Player of the Match: Mckyle Karunarathne (S. Thomas’ College)
Points Breakdown
S. Thomas’ College 29
Amaan Imran 1T, Mckyle Karunarathne 1T, Tieshya Aluwihare 1T, Sithil Perera 1T, Mayanka Dias 3C,1P
Kingswood College 28
Maduranga Pushpakumara 1T, Chanidu Adikari 1T, Ashik Asmi 1T, Rivin Sashen 3C, Penalty try.
