Zahira College put away Wesley College with ease, defeating the hosts 24 (4T 2C) – 38 (6T 4C) in the Dialog Schools’ Rugby League second round game in the Cup segment to keep their title hopes alive.
The game kicked off on a sunny evening at Havelock Park, with Zahira College coming into the contest as favourites, given the fact that Wesley College were unable to secure a single victory in the second round.
The visitors got off to the best possible start as Muzil Samath scored from a scrum to open the scoring. Shaifullah Zulfikar failed to add the extras. (WC 00-05 ZC)
Zahira doubled their advantage with a converted try as the home faithful were stunned into silence.
Habeeb Uzni was the beneficiary as the powerful prop forward barged his way over to score. Zulfikar added the extras this time. (WC 00-12 ZC)
In the 17th minute, Wesley struck back through Liam Onasiz as the ever-present flanker dived over from close range to score the hosts’ first points. Skipper Kaize Lye slotted over the conversion. (WC 07-12 ZC)
Zahira were reduced to 13 men as Muzil and Afham were both sent to the sin bin for ill-discipline. Wesley capitalised and struck back for a second time to take the lead in the game.
Dinaru Lakendra was the try scorer as the centre dotted down in the 22nd minute. Lye made no mistake from the tee to put his side ahead. (WC 14-12 ZC)
On the brink of half-time, Basith Feroz struck back for Zahira College as the centre helped the visitors regain the lead, although Zulfikar failed to add the extras.
Half-time: Wesley College 14 (2T, 2C) trail Zahira College 17 (3T, 1C)
The second half was dominated by Zahira College, who scored three further tries in reply to Wesley’s two.
Shaheel Shiyam was the first to score after the break for Zahira before Muzil Samath doubled his try tally, putting Zahira firmly in the driver’s seat and in control of proceedings.
Zulfikar made no mistake with either conversion as Zahira moved past the 30-point mark. (WC 14-31 ZC)
Wesley scored their third try through Liam Onasiz as the flanker snuck through to dot down, but when Lye failed to add the extras, the game was virtually out of the grasp of the home side.
With a comeback still on the cards, Pawan Thirangama was sent to the sin bin for a cheap shot on an opponent, effectively ending any hopes of a Wesley revival. (WC 19-31 ZC)
Muzil Samath completed his hat-trick, giving Zahira their sixth try and killing the game off following Zulfikar’s conversion.
Pawan scored on his return to the field, but it was too little, too late as Zahira proved untouchable, securing the victory and setting up a showdown against Trinity in the Cup Segment of the Dialog Schools’ Rugby League.
Full time: Wesley College 24 (4T 2C) lost to Zahira College 38 (6T 4C)
Swisstek Perfect Player of the Match: Muzil Samath (ZC No.8)
Points Breakdown:
Zahira College: Muzil Samath 3T, Habeeb Uzni 1T, Basith Feroz 1T, Shaheel Shiyam 1T, Shaifullah Zulfikar 4C
Wesley College: Liam Onasiz 2T, Dinaru Lakendra 1T, Pawan Thirangama 1T, Kizer Lye 2C
 – 38 (6T 4C) in the Dialog Schools’ Rugby League second round game in the Cup segment to keep their title hopes alive.){kind=link}