Another exhilarating game of the Dialogue Schools’ Rugby League 2025 concluded at the Nittawela Rugby Fortress as hometown rivals Vidyartha and Anthonians clashed with each other. After a disastrous run in the early matches, St. Anthony’s College recovered well to find their rhythm by beating Science and Dharmaraja in the Bowl segment to lead the table at present. On the contrary, the Vidyartha outfit came to the game when they were on the verge of a demotion by two defeats in the Bowl Segment, despite their strong comeback against Joes to tie the game.
Vidyartha kicked off amidst gloomy conditions in Kandy, and without wasting much time, the Antonian Eagles took the first blood through a well-executed rolling maul. The phase started outside of the 22-meter line, but St. Anthony’s forwards powered their way for nearly 20 m to 30 meters to score a morale-boosting try. The Hooker Awan Ekanayake was the try scorer, and the conversion went astray. (SAC 05 – 00 VCK)
A few minutes later St. Anthony kicked the ball into the Vidyartha half, and the receiver made an aimless loose pass along with the tackle as Antonians put maximum pressure on him. Charging Antonian Omitha Dissanayake collected the ball cleanly and ran towards the tryline. Tigers managed to bring him down just inches short of a try. With another single phase of play, Randeer Perera plated an easy try as there wasn’t any defender to block his way. Fullback Kalpa Lakmina added the extras. (SAC 12 – 00 VCK)
Later a couple of players had a head collision, and the Vidyartha tackler was given a yellow card for not using his arms first while he was tackling. Following that penalty, St. Anthony’s got a 5-meter line-out throw. Subsequently, Ravindu Gregory went over the line on the right corner after a well-executed maul. (SAC 17 – 00 VCK)
A few minutes later, Antonians entered the opposition 22 area and asked a few questions of the Tigers defence. This time three quarters were up to the task and scored a brilliant try by working the line. Yohan Kingston was the bonus point try scorer, and this time Kalpa Lakmina nailed the conversion to add the extras. (SAC 24 – 00 VCK)
After a long wait, the Vidyartha Tigers flocked together and launched an exceptional attack in the Antonians half. At last they managed to score their first try under the post as Vihanga Sathsindu crossed the whitewash. Place kicker Kavindu Hewage nailed the conversion to add the extras. (SAC 26 – 07 VCK)
Though Vidyartha had some momentum with their opening try, St. Anthony’s never let their hometown rivals spoil their party. Antonians got into Tigers half with the help of a penalty that came from an offside play. After a 5-meter lineout, Antonias planted their 5th try through a well-executed maul. Vice captain Ravindu Gregory was the try scorer, and Kalpa Lakmina nailed a very difficult kick from an angle to extend the lead. (SAC 31 – 07 VCK)
At the brink of halftime, Vidyartha laboured near the whitewash in search of their second. Finally they were successful as Wing Praveen de Mel crossed the line for a try. Again Kavindu Hewage made no mistake with the conversion to cut the deficit, and the referee Charani blew the short whistle. (SAC 31 – 14 VCK)
Half time: St. Anthony’s College 31 (5 T, 3 C) – 14 (2 T, 2 C) Vidyartha College
In the second half, St. Anthony’s boys looked as if they had carried their momentum and kept threatening the Vidyartha defence. After earning a 5-meter lineout, Antonians pretended that they were executing a rolling maul. But a creative move by the Antonians sealed them the first points of the second half. Akesh Sampath was the try scorer, and the conversion attempt went wide of the post. (SAC 36 – 14 VCK)
Tigers counterattacked well again, and they came closer to the tryline after taking a quick tap as Antonians were found guilty of being offside again. After a single breakdown, Tigers went over the tryline, but the referee said that wasn’t grounded. Hence, she gave another penalty, and Tigers got the try through Prabath after a well-arranged pick-and-go phase. But this time, Vidyartha missed a regulation conversion kick. (SAC 36 – 19 VCK)
Later, Antonians were attacking while staying inside their own half, and their outside centre, Randeer Perere, went through the Vidyartha defence by spotting a gap. Then he went all the way to score the try of the day, under the posts, by deceiving another three players with his magical side-stepping. Kalpa Lakmina nailed an easy conversion chance. (SAC 43 – 19 VCK)
Then after some thrilling actions, Vidyartha had a chance to score as Antonians were found guilty of handling the ball in a ruck. Further, they committed misconduct by taking the ball with them with the idea of preventing a quick tap. Referee Charani gave extra territory for that offence, and the big prop forward, Mohommad Razid, easily went over the line by pushing a few Antonians. (SAC 43 – 24 VCK)
After a few minutes Antonian forwards launched a fierce attack, and after receiving a penalty, they created a superb maul. Tigers had no answer to that as the gigantic No. 08 Ravindu Gregory completed his hat trick of tries in front of the Kandy SC clubhouse. (SAC 48 – 24 VCK)
In the dying minutes of the game, Vidyartha managed to strike back again as their replacement player Prabath scored for the second time after taking a tap from a penalty. Kavindu Hewage made no mistake with the conversion to add the extras. (SAC 48 – 31 VCK)
The score remained until the long whistle, and at the end, St. Anthony’s managed to escape from the Tigers threat in the second half due to their exceptional five-try brilliance in the first half. With this loss now Vidyartha is on the verge of a demotion, while St. Anthony’s is aiming for the bowl title by placing them in a comfortable position.
Full time: St. Anthony’s College, Katugastota 48 (8 T, 4 C) – Vidyartha College, Kandy 31 (5 T, 3 C)
- Swisstek Perfect Player of the Match: (Randeer Perera – St. Anthony’s College)
Points Breakdown
St. Anthony’s College, Katugastota – 48
Akesh Sampath 1 T, Awan Ekanayake 1 T, Randeer Perera 2 T, Ravindu Gregory 3 T, Yohan Kingston 1 T, Kalpa Lakmina 4 C
Vidyartha College, Kandy – 31
Praveen de Mel 1 T, Vihanga Sathsindu 1 T, Prabath 2 T, Mohommad Razid 1 T, Kavindu Hewage 3 C,
