St. Peter’s College held off a spirited late comeback from a determined D.S. Senanayake College outfit to secure a hard-fought 24-17 victory in their final first-round clash of the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2025, played at St. Peter’s College Grounds, Bambalapitiya.
Peterite skipper Vishenka Silva got proceedings underway.
The first 17 minutes saw a scrappy contest, with neither side able to convert attacking pressure into points. That changed when playmaker Jamal Wahab produced a smart dummy and a quick change of direction off a scrum to bring play within striking distance. From the ensuing ruck, Ashaz Farook powered over for the opening try. (SPC 5–0 DSSC)
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The home side grew in confidence after the breakthrough. From a lineout, Revone Perera made a strong carry, followed by fellow forward Shenuka Perera. The backs recycled the ball, and Wahab once again stepped inside to pierce the defensive line before Revone Perera charged through defenders to score. Rajith Geon added the conversion. (SPC 12–0 DSSC)
Despite losing Rajith Geon to the sin bin for a dangerous tackle in the air, St. Peter’s extended their lead. Wahab sliced through the defence once more and linked up with Senuth Dinsara, who carried deep into the 22. After a few forward phases, the ball came back to Wahab, who danced past defenders with a dummy and slick footwork to score the third try. Pasan Pamuditha converted, giving the Peterites a commanding lead at halftime.
Half-time: St. Peter’s College 19 (3T, 2C) – D.S. Senanayake College 00
D.S. Senanayake College came out fired up in the second half and were finally rewarded through a powerful rolling maul that brought play inches short of the line. Tighthead prop Thimath Bogahawatta picked up and crashed over for their opening points. (SPC 19–5 DSSC)
St. Peter’s responded swiftly. After several phases by the forwards, the ball was shifted wide to centre Nethushan Manthusha, who made a strong run down the flank. Although brought down just short, scrum-half Shirash Perera quickly recycled to Shenuka Perera, who bulldozed over to secure the bonus-point try. (SPC 24–5 DSSC)
D.S. Senanayake, refusing to back down, turned again to their rolling maul, which had become their most potent weapon. No. 8 Praveen Lakmal broke from the back and offloaded to replacement scrum-half Kinith Dissanayake, who darted over for their second try, with Buddhitha Rusiru converting. (SPC 24–12 DSSC)
The final ten minutes were all DS. They dominated territory and possession, pinning the Peterites back with relentless pressure. Emith Jayaweera made a try-saving effort at the line, but DS finally broke through one last time with yet another rolling maul—this time Lakmal himself grounding the ball. However, it proved too little, too late, as the final whistle blew, confirming St. Peter’s College’s qualification for the Cup segment.
D.S. Senanayake College, despite their late resurgence, will now shift their focus to the Plate segment—where they will be considered strong contenders.
Full Time: St. Peter’s College 24 (4T,2C) – D.S Senanayake College 17 (3T,1C)
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Points Breakdown
St. Peter’s College 24
Ashaz Farook 1T, Revone Perera 1T, Shenuka Perera 1T, Jamal Wahab 1T,Rajith Geon 1C, Pasan Pamuditha 1C
D.S Senanayake College 17
Thimath Bogahawattha 1T, Kinith Dissanayake 1T, Praveen Lakmal 1T, Buddhitha Rusiru 1C
