The opening week of the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2026 delivered high drama, major upsets, and dominant performances across the board as schools rugby returned in spectacular fashion.
Giant-killers Sumangala stun D.S. Senanayake
Sri Sumangala College Kandy produced the standout shock of the round with a fearless display against D. S. Senanayake College. Scrum-half Shashika Bandara played a pivotal role with his sharp game management and crucial try, while Pasindu Samarakoon’s accurate boot and attacking spark proved decisive. Despite strong performances from Praveen Lakmal and Chamith Samarasinghe for the Dons, Sumangala’s composure under pressure secured one of their most memorable victories in recent history.
Full Time: Sri Sumangala College 28 – 26 D. S. Senanayake College
Swisstek Perfect Player of the Match : Shashika Bandara (Sri Sumangala College)
>>Sri Lanka fall short as New Zealand strike late
Thurstan’s late heroics sink Thomians in major upset
Thurstan College opened their campaign with a statement victory built on resilience and composure. Captain Ahad Sallay led from the front with powerful carries, while Jayathu Rasanjana and Senath Perera controlled the tempo brilliantly. Tharinda Senarathna’s decisive late try sealed the result, overshadowing strong efforts from S. Thomas’ playmakers Mayanka Dias and Rehan Warnasuriya in a fiercely contested battle.
Full Time: Thurstan College 27 – 24 S. Thomas’ College
Swisstek Perfect Player of the Match: Akeesha Pushpakumara (Thurstan College)
Wesley’s rampant attack overwhelms Prince of Wales’
Wesley College showcased their attacking firepower in emphatic fashion, with Shifan Inthikab delivering a sensational hat-trick performance. Pawan Thiranagama’s dominance at the base of the scrum and Kaizer Lye’s leadership set the platform, while Prathana Rodrigo and Mohamed Fawas added further polish. Prince of Wales’ showed occasional promise, but Wesley’s superior pace and structure proved overwhelming.
Full Time: Wesley College 69 – 12 Prince of Wales’ College
Swisstek Perfect Player of the Match: Shifan Inthikab (Wesley College)
>>Late heroics seal famous win for Thurstan
Trinity flex muscles with commanding win at Pallekele
Trinity College combined forward power with backline precision to dismantle Lumbini College in a clinical all-round display. Ammar Faizal was instrumental with his scoring boot and attacking influence, while Evin Jayasena, Dimath Ambepitiya, and Hamza Abdeen all made major contributions. Lumbini skipper Sachintha Induwara showed fight, but Trinity’s superior depth and relentless pressure controlled the contest throughout.
Full Time: Trinity College 55 – 12 Lumbini College
Swisstek Perfect Player of the Match: Ammar Faizal (Trinity College)
Josephians end opening-day curse with strong Maradana derby win
St. Joseph’s College finally broke their long-standing league opener hoodoo with an impressive derby triumph over Ananda College. Bryan Fernando orchestrated proceedings superbly, while Skipper Inosh Silva and Dion Peters delivered crucial scores. Ananda’s rolling maul remained dangerous through Thanthirige and Januga Peiris, but the Josephians’ superior defensive discipline and second-half execution proved decisive.
Full Time: St. Joseph’s College 41 – 19 Ananda College
Swisstek Perfect Player of the Match: Bryan Fernando (St. Joseph’s College)
Clinical Peterites send early warning to title rivals
St. Peter’s College delivered the most ruthless performance of the week with a devastating all-round display against Mahanama College. Rashwin Sabar’s early brilliance set the tone, while Hashara Madugase’s hat-trick and captain Shenuka Perera’s leadership highlighted a dominant showing. Ashok Krishan’s game control and Nethshan Manthusha’s finishing ensured the Peterites made a powerful opening statement.
Full Time: St. Peter’s College 67 – 00 Mahanama College
Swisstek Perfect Player of the Match: Rashwin Sabar (St. Peter’s College)
>>Giant-killers, Wariyapola Sri Sumangala stun D. S. Senanayake in nail-biting season opener
Royal’s second-half surge overwhelms Science in commanding opener
Royal College overcame a competitive first half before unleashing a dominant second-half display to overpower Science College in style. Fly-half Shimak Shafeek orchestrated the victory with an influential all-round performance, contributing heavily through both his boot and attacking flair, while winger Kavan Ekanayake delivered a clinical finishing display with two tries. Captain Disas Pathiranana set the tone after the restart with a crucial early score, as Royal’s superior structure, fitness, and forward dominance gradually wore down the visitors to secure an emphatic opening-round triumph.
Full Time: Royal College 43 – 10 Science College
Swisstek Perfect Player of the Match: Shimak Shafeek (Royal College)
Green Machine power past Antonians with statement opening win
Isipathana College recovered from an early setback to produce a commanding all-round display against St. Anthony’s College. Skipper Shaakib Zumri sparked the comeback, while Nimantha Sandeepa’s game management and Tharuka Jayaweera’s explosive running shifted momentum firmly in Pathana’s favour. Newitha Mewnaka’s powerful brace through the forwards underlined Isipathana’s physical dominance, while Sanija Jayaweera capped a superb individual performance with a stunning long-range effort to complete an emphatic opening statement.
Full Time: Isipathana College 43 – 14 St. Anthony’s College
Swisstek Perfect Player of the Match: Sanija Jayaweera (Isipathana College)
>>Clinical Peterites ease past Mahanama
Zahira hold nerve to edge Kingswood in Nittawela thriller
Zahira College launched their season with a gritty away victory in one of the round’s most competitive battles. Captain Hakeem Chunchi played a decisive leadership role with sharp decision-making and key attacking contributions, while Shahib Ishan’s forward power proved crucial with two important tries. Kingswood’s Wenusha Marasinghe and Skipper Sachintha Naweesha kept the hosts firmly in the contest, but Zahira’s disciplined defence and late composure secured a hard-fought win on one of the toughest grounds in schools rugby.
Full Time: Zahira College 20 – 15 Kingswood College
Swisstek Perfect Player of the Match: Hakeem Chunchi (Zahira College)
