Zahira College registered 10 tries in their massive 56-19 win over Dharmaraja College in their opening match of the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2025 played at Zahira College Grounds in Maradana on Friday evening.
With a resounding win, Zahira sent out warning signs to the other teams in their Division 1 – Segment 2A group as they began their journey towards a place in the Cup championship.
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Zahira touched down in the 7th minute when a Rajans clearing kick allowed them to string up a counterattack as second row forward Rifnaz Rimshard touched down near the corner flag. (Zahira 05 – Dharmaraja 00)
Zahira’s second try came soon afterwards as loose forward Ameen Rifas scored from the back of a driving maul as Rajans defenses were tested quite early. (Zahira 10 – Dharmaraja 00)
Dharmaraja scored their first try in the very first instance when they reached the Zahira 22’ in the half-hour mark as full-back Dumindu Rajapaksa broke through the Zahira defense. The conversion went astray. (Zahira 10 – Dharmaraja 05)
The visitors once again broke through the Zahira defense through full back Pahan Rajapaksa. Skipper Damsith Rathnayake converted the try as Rajans took the lead for the very first time in the game. (Zahira 10 – Dharmaraja 12)
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Rajans’ lead was short-lived as just before the half-time, Zahira touched down through their full-back Basith Feroz who sniped through the Rajans defense.
Half-time: (Zahira 15 – Dharmaraja 12)
After lemons, Zahira opened the floodgates as the driving maul resulted in another try with Ameen Rifas scoring his second try of the match in only the 5th minute of the second half.
Number eight Ishan Shahib was unstoppable in the 50-minute mark when he was behind another driving maul as the hosts extended their lead further. (Zahira 25 – Dharmaraja 12)
The moment of the match came when play-maker and fly-half Hakim Chunchi put up a nice cross-kick which resulted in winger Imtiyas Iflan going under the posts to score another fabulous try for the hosts. This time, the conversion went through easily. (Zahira 32 – Dharmaraja 12)
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With the substitutions coming off the bench, Zahira started to run loose as replacement winger Binuka Perera then managed to make a brilliant run, evading several defenders on his way to a brilliant try as the visitors were dejected in their defense. (Zahira 37 – Dharmaraja 12)
A few more tries courtesy Abdullah Hasan, Azmil Aakif and Zain Zahim took Zahira over the 50-point mark whilst Dharmaraja replacement scrumhalf, H.S Fernando touched down for a consolation try.
Full-time: Zahira 56 – Dharmaraja 19
Points Breakdown
Zahira – Ameen Rifas 2 Tries (10 Points), Abdullah Hasan 1 Try (5 Points) , Azmil Aakif 1 Try (5 Points), Zain Zahim 1 Try (5 Points), Binuka Perera 1 Try (5 Points), Imtiyas Iflan 1 Try (5 Points), Rifnaz Rimshard 1 Try (5 Points), Ishan Sahib 1 Try (5 Points), Hakeem Chunchi 3 Conversions (6 Points)
Dharmaraja – H.S Fernando 1 Try (5 Points), Dumindu Rajapaksa 1 Try (5 Points), Damsith Rathnayake 2 Conversions (4 Points), Pahan Rajapaksa 1 Try (5 Points)
Swisstek Perfect Player of the Match – Zain Zahim (Zahira College)
Referee – Aruna Shantha
