In a highly anticipated league stage encounter of the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2026, Isipathana College delivered a masterclass in resilience and tactical ruthlessness, securing a dominant bonus-point victory (33 – 10) over a gritty D. S. Senanayake College outfit. While the scoreline ultimately flattered the winners, it was Isipathana’s second-half attacking brilliance and an unbreakable defensive wall specially showcased with 14 men on the field, which sealed the deal for the Green Shirts.
D.S. Senanayake College opened up things with a flat kickoff, and the opening exchanges set the tone for a physically demanding contest. Suddenly, Isipathana came to D. S. territory through a penalty given for a high tackle. After a juggle, the ball went along the three-quarters, and Rizmi Shafraz spotted a lineout loose hole in the Don’s defense and exploited it by using a show-and-go technique. Though D. S. managed to catch him, the forwards came into the act when the entire defense was offside. However, the mighty Isipathana didn’t want any penalty advantage as their masculine prop forward Nevith Mewnaka easily crossed the whitewash after giving a couple of hand-offs to the tacklers. After Isipathana drew first blood, Thenula De Costa made no mistake with the regulation chance. (IC 07 – 00 D. S.)
After a few minutes, Isipathana launched another fierce attack which was initiated by the fine break done by the fullback Nimantha Sandeepa after collecting a high-hanging kick from inside their own half. Then three-quarters made some valuable yards to cross the 22 meter mark by displaying superb ball-handling skills. After reaching the five meter mark, the Pathana forwards were involved in the attack, but the center Yuvindu Kodithuwakku stood tall and dragged a few opponents to reach the try line to bring the second try for the Green-machine. Nimantha Sandeepa converted the regulation chance to add the extras. (IC 14 – 00 D.S.)
However, D. S. Senanayake College showed exactly why they are considered a formidable force in School Rugby this season. Refusing to let the game slip away, they regrouped and began to find cracks in the Isipathana structure. During the play, a D. S. player was isolated after being tackled. Though the arriving player from Isipathana had a clear chance to turn over the ball, unluckily he put his hand on the ground, resulting in a penalty. Chamith Samarasinghe grabbed the opportunity from both hands and put over the penalty to start the scoring. (IC 14 – 03 D. S.)
At the brink of Half Time, the Senanayakians ambushed Pathana territory by applying tremendous pressure on the defense. Alongside, their three-quarters displayed some magnificent handling techniques along with brilliant supporting play. The ball was sent sideways, gaining some good yards, and finally D. S. managed to cross the whitewash from the left corner. But at the same time, Isipathana fullback Sandeepa was guilty of a dangerous tackle. Hence, the Referee Jeewaka Fonseka awarded a penalty try just before sending Sandeepa to the naughty chair by showing a yellow card. (IC 14 – 10 D. S.)
All of a sudden, the game was electrified after the late strikes by the Senanayakians. Before the short whistle, they tried their best to get the lead by using their extra man’s advantage. But Isipathana defense was unshaken, and they held on to a four-point lead at the lemons.
Halftime: Isipathana College 14 (2T, 2C) – D.S. Senanayake College – 10 (1T, 1C, 1P)
Isipathana started the second half with a deep kick, and D.S. replied immediately with a high-hanging clearance kick. When the game momentum swung in favour of the Senanayakians, the Green Machine launched another attack from nowhere to put the pressure back on their rivals. Then D. S. made a silly knock-on at a lineout by giving possession back to Pathana at a crucial juncture of the game. After a series of pick-and-go phases, the Pathana Skipper Shaakib Zumri speared a gap by keeping a nice body position and with a fine running angle to score under the post. Thenula De Costa nailed one of the easiest kicks in the season. (IC 21 – 10 D. S.)
During an interesting passage of play, Isipathana received a penalty as the lads from D. S. were penalised at a ruck. After a kick at the touch from their own half, Isipathana earned a lineout throw just metres away from the opposition 22 meter mark. Then the Isipathana forwards powered their way towards whitewash with a massive maul. Suddenly the Skipper broke from the back and went through the defense by giving some heavy handoffs to the tacklers. After a brilliant solo effort Shaakib Zumri scored his second by pocketing the try bonus. Sandeepa, who just returned from the naughty chair, missed a regulation conversion chance. (IC 26 – 10 D. S.)
Later, the Referee Jeewaka gave a glimmer of hope for the Dons after sending Tharuka Jayaweera to the sin-bin after a harsh call. During the passage, the Senanayakians launched a few fierce attacks on the Greenish wall and came so close to scoring their second try. Though the Pathana outfit was down by a man, their defense was unshaken and shattered the hopes of the Dons. Finally, the Senanayakians made a mistake at their lineout, and Nimantha pounced on it and made a quick break to attack deep into the D. S. territory. In the meantime, the Skipper made some other valuable yards by running through the defenders. Finally, Naveed Thahir flexed his muscles and displayed his power by pushing a few opponents to score under the posts. Fullback Nimantha Sandeepa made no mistake with the conversion and sealed the deal as fewer than five minutes were on the clock. (IC 33 – 10 D. S.)
During the final minutes, Senanayakians put all of their effort into posting a consolation try and to end the game on a high. Their effort was fuelled by the yellow card given to F. Hakeem, who just came on to the field for killing the game. Even short of a man on the field, the Isipathana defense held together like a concrete wall, though they gave away some penalties. Finally, the Dons managed to cross the whitewash, but again, Isipathana did well in the defense by not allowing to ground the ball. With that held-up decision, the Referee blew the long whistle by giving a dominant victory to the Men in Green.
Full Time: Isipathana College 33 (5T, 4C) – D. S. Senanayake College – 10 (1T, 1C, 1P)
Even after receiving three yellow cards, the Pathanians’ defensive structure never wavered. Despite being numerically disadvantaged, the players put their bodies on the line with bone-jarring tackles, crucial turnovers, and an impenetrable defensive line. D. S. Senanayake threw everything they had at the Isipathana try line in the second half, but time and time again, they were met by a green wall. In a remarkable show of defensive grit, Isipathana kept D. S. Senanayake was completely scoreless in the second half by making a strong statement to the other teams who were in the fray for the glory of the title.
Swisstek Perfect Player of the Match: Shaahid Zumri (Isipathana College)
Points Breakdown
Isipathana College, Colombo – 33
Nevith Mewnaka 1T, Yuvindu Kodithuwakku 1T, Shaahid Zumri 2T, Naveed Thahir 1T, Thenula De Costa 2C, Nimantha Sandeepa 2C,
D. S. Senanayake College, Colombo – 10
Chamith Samarasinghe 1P, Penalty Try
Match Referee – Jeewaka Fonseka
 over a gritty D. S. Senanayake College outfit. While the scoreline ultimately flattered the winners, it was Isipathana’s second-half attacking brilliance and an unbreakable defensive wall specially showcased with 14 men on the field, which sealed the deal for the Green Shirts.){kind=link}