The Nittawela Stadium in Kandy played host to a spectacular kick-off to the Dialog Schools’ Rugby League 2026, as Zahira College, Colombo secured a hard-fought 20 – 15 victory over a gallant Kingswood College side. In a game that lived up to every ounce of its pre-match hype, the visitors showed immense grit and tactical discipline to edge out the hosts in a nail-biting finish.
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Kingswood winger Shamit Shafras started proceedings with a deep and high-hanging kick-off under a bright sky at Nittawela. Utilizing their familiar surroundings, the Kandy school drew first blood early in the game. The hosts received a penalty for not releasing the tackled player. After following the pick-and-drive strategy, another penalty came in the Kingswood’s way. They opted for a tap and go, and after a few phases the heavy No. 08 Wenusha Marasinghe barged over the whitewash to take the first blood in the game. Aashiq Asmi did well with the conversion, but unluckily it hit the right upright bar. (ZC 00 – 05 KCK)
After receiving a penalty, the Zahirians tried with a maul and thereafter from a pick-and-drive attack, but the Kingswood displayed a rock-solid defence. Hence, the duty transferred to the three quarters in no time. The dividend was paid immediately as the Skipper, Hakeem Chunchi, gave a brilliant pass to create an overlap, and the Zahirian winger, Saraph Ghani, went over the try line from the left corner. The Zahirians failed to make the conversion kick during the stipulated time, and the referee did not allow a kicking attempt by keeping the score in the balance. (ZC 05 – 05 KCK)
After five minutes of play the Zahirian try scorer Ghani was sent to the naughty chair for a dangerous charge in the air by being shown a yellow card. After receiving the penalty just 10 metres away from the whitewash, the hosts went for a surprising option to go with a tap and run which astonished the Zahira defensive line. After the tap amid some dummy charges the ball was switched to the flanker Chanidu Adhikari, who bulldozed the Zahira defence to score in front of the Kandy SC clubhouse. Then Asmis’ conversion, king, went astray. (ZC 05 – 10 KCK)
At the brink of Half Time, the visitors rallied into Kingswood territory and looked dangerous and hungry for a score before Half Time. Kingswood had only themselves to blame, as they gave away a silly off side penalty. The Zahirians attacked with a rolling maul. But the Kingwoodians were up to the task and initially looked like they managed to stop the maul from advancing. However, after a few players from the line joined the maul, which shattered the balance. Then the maul was unstoppable, and Zahira advanced into the in-goal area, where Shahib Ishan planted a try from the back of the maul. The Skipper missed the target with the conversion. (ZC 10 – 10 KCK)
Then the short whistle followed, and the teams walked out for the lemons, as there was nothing between the teams to separate them.
Half Time: Zahira College – 10 (2 T) – Kingswood College 10 (2 T)
Zahira College started the second half with a short but high-hanging kick. The host did well to grab the possession early, but a fine intercept came from the Zahirians to put the Kingwoodians under tremendous pressure early in the second half. After some pick-and-goes and set-piece attacks, the ball was switched to the three-quarter, and it was sent to the left corner through a cut-out pass. However, Kingswood managed to bring down the blindside winger just before he reached the whitewash. After the ruck was formed, the Zahirian Skipper, Chunchi, displayed his finest ability in quick decision-making as he crossed the try line by using the blind side by turning the Kingswood defence into spectators. The conversion, which came from a difficult angle, missed the target from a margin of a whisker as it hit the upright bar and went away. (ZC 15 – 10 KCK)
After one fourth of an hour in the second half, Zahirians tried to launch another attack from inside their own half and had to pay the price. They were found guilty of being off their feet at a ruck, and the advantage twisted in favour of Kingswood. After earning a lineout near the whitewash, surprisingly, Kingswood hesitated to attack with a maul. Instead, they opted for a pick-and-drive passage. After a series of phases, finally the hosts earned a success as the Skipper Sachintha Naweesha barged his way to a brilliant try to swing the pendulum in the favour of Kingswood. However, a regulation conversion attempt was missed by the hosts.
When the game was even-stevens at Nittawela until the final five minutes approached, Basith Feroze spotted a gap at the right corner and exploited it by giving the break that the Zahirians badly needed. He brought the play into opposition at the 22-metre mark, and the ball was sent right to left by the backs. Though the Zahira winger overlapped, the hosts did well to cover him. But after some fine side-stepping the hooker, Shahib Ishan, dived over the whitewash to score a fantastic try by adding another twist to the game. Though the Skipper Hakeem Chunchi got the kicking duties, he was unsuccessful, marking this as a rare encounter which ended without any points scored through kicking.
During the final minutes of the game, the hosts put up a valiant effort to score a try at least to square the game, but the defence of Zahira College was unshaken, and the visitors launched their league campaign with a morale-boosting victory.
Zahira College’s brilliant victory serves as a massive statement of intent, proving they have the firepower and mental strength to compete with the very best on their home turf. As the league progresses, both teams will take immense heart from this thrilling encounter, but it is Zahira who will head back to Colombo with their tails up and their campaign firmly on a high.
Full Time: Zahira College – 20 (4T) – Kingswood College 15 (3T)
Swisstek Perfect Player of the Match: Hakeem Chunchi (Zahira College)
Points Breakdown
Zahira College, Colombo – 20
Saraph Ghani 1T, Shahib Ishan 2T, Hakeem Chunchi 1T,
Kingswood College, Kandy – 15
Menusha Marasinghe 1T, Chanidu Adhikari 1T, Sachintha Naweesha 1T,
Match Referee – Jeewaka Fonseka
