Science College produced a resilient defensive effort in the closing stages to secure a hard-fought 37-36 victory over D.S. Senanayake College in the second week of the Super Round of the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2026 Bowl Segment, played at the Science College Grounds in Mount Lavinia.
Despite some early defensive resilience around the maul, the hosts struck first after earning a scrum near the 40-metre mark. Quick hands across the backline created space for fullback Ashen Induranga, who sliced through the DS defence, fended off several defenders, and raced over for the opening try.(SC 05-00 DSSC)
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DS responded strongly. Having been denied earlier through their rolling maul, the visitors finally found success from close range. Operating inside the red zone, the Donz executed a powerful rolling maul that proved unstoppable, with Praveen Lakmal grounding the ball at the back for the try. (SC 05-05 DSSC)
A few minutes later, DS centre Yasanda Ravindra broke through the Science defensive line and carried play deep into opposition territory. After several phases, the visitors earned a penalty and kicked to the corner. Their rolling maul once again functioned to perfection, and this time jumper Sathila Anuranga showed excellent awareness by retaining possession himself and dotting down after Science failed to contest the maul. (SC 05-10 DSSC)
Science fought back impressively. A succession of penalties took them deep into DS territory, where the forwards laid the platform through a series of powerful close-range carries. The pressure eventually told as prop Tharusha Gallage powered his way over the line, with Pahan Nesadu adding the conversion to put Science back in front. (SC 12-10 DSSC)
The game continued at a frantic pace as DS replied immediately. The attack once again originated from a maul before the forwards punched holes around the fringes. Scrum-half Lihara Wickramasinghe then switched the point of attack to the blind side, and after quick hands from skipper Tatheera Perera, fullback Budditha Rusiru crossed over for another crucial try and he managed to convert his own try to extend the lead. (SC 12-17 DSSC)
Just before halftime, the hosts struck twice to seize control. Following a series of strong carries, Science played with advantage and fly-half Pahan Nesadu produced a perfectly
weighted chip kick over the defensive line. The DS defenders allowed the ball to bounce, enabling second-rower Nethum Senarathna to gather and score. (SC 17-17 DSSC)
Moments later, Science attacked again. A superb box kick from Methuka Edirisinghe exposed the DS defence, and Senarathna collected possession before sending Malinda Manasinghe charging towards the try line. Quick service from Edirisinghe then found Dehan Maduranga, who finished in the corner. Nesadu capped off the move with an excellent conversion from the touchline to give Science a healthy halftime advantage.
Half Time: Science College 24 (4T,2C) – D.S Senanayake College 17 (3T,1C)
The hosts flew out of the blocks after the restart. Attacking from a lineout near the 10-metre mark, their maul was halted, but the forwards remained patient and continued to attack around the fringes. Their persistence paid off as Nethum Senarathna crashed over for his second try of the afternoon, with Nesadu once again converting. (SC 31-17 DSSC)
Needing points to stay in the contest, DS hit back from a scrum five metres out. Skipper Tatheera Perera carried strongly before the ball was moved wide, allowing Chamith Samarasinghe to dive over in the corner. Rusiru then produced an excellent conversion from the touchline to reduce the deficit. (SC 31-24 DSSC)
With the contest hanging in the balance, Science were awarded a penalty following an offside infringement. Nesadu calmly slotted the kick to stretch the lead back into double figures. (SC 34-24 DSSC)
DS refused to go away. Their forwards produced a series of powerful carries to work their way into the red zone before the backs finished off a well-worked move. Replacement scrum-half Lakithma Manage found skipper Perera, who released Rusiru to score in the corner and narrow the gap once more. (SC 34-29 DSSC)
A few minutes later, the visitors struck again. Launching an attack from a rolling maul near halfway, the forwards linked up brilliantly in open play. Lock Thimath Bohogahawatta burst through a gap before offloading to flanker Sanu Perera, who quickly released Praveen Lakmal to score his second try of the match. Samarasinghe added the conversion to take slender lead. (SC 34-36 DSSC)
With just seven minutes remaining, Science earned a crucial penalty when DS failed to release in the tackle. Nesadu showed remarkable composure to slot the kick and restore the lead. The hosts then produced a determined defensive effort during the closing stages to hold out DS and secure a hard-fought victory.
Full Time: Science College 37 (5T,3C,2P) – D.S Senanayake College 36 (6T,3C)
Swisstek Player of the Match: Pahan Nesadu (Science College)
Points Breakdown
Science College 37
Nethum Senarathna 2T, Ashen Induranga 1T, Tharusha Gallage 1T, Dehan Maduranga 1T, Pahan Nesadu 3C,2P
D.S Senanayake College 36
Praveen Lakmal 2T, Sathila Anuranga 1T, Budditha Rusiru 2T,2C, Chamith Samarasinghe 1T, 1C
