Zahira College produced a stunning second-half comeback to Stun St. Peter’s College 38-34 in a thrilling Super Round Cup Segment clash of the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2026, played at the St. Peter’s College Grounds.
The hosts made the perfect start to the contest, earning an early penalty for an offside infringement straight from the restart. Ashok Krishan stepped up and slotted over the kick to open the scoring. However, Zahira responded a few minutes later when Saifullah Sulfikar landed a penalty of his own to level matters. (SPC 03-03 ZC)
In the ninth minute, the visitors struck for the opening try of the match. Receiving possession near the 22-metre line, Zahira fly-half Imadh Inam spotted a gap in the Peterite defensive line and accelerated through untouched to score beneath the posts. Sulfikar added the conversion to extend the lead. (SPC 03-10 ZC)
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St. Peter’s College responded immediately. The forwards laid a solid platform close to the try line before slick handling between scrum-half Shirash Perera and fly-half Jamal Wahab created space out wide. Nethshan Manthusha burst through a gap and powered past two defenders to score the hosts’ opening try. (SPC 08-10 ZC)
The Peterites soon took control of the contest. Perera sparked a dangerous counterattack from halfway, finding flanker Hashara Madugalle with a perfectly timed pass. After making valuable metres, Madugalle released hooker Cheval Abeygoonewardane, who initially juggled the ball but recovered brilliantly before offloading to Wahab. Running an excellent support line, the fly-half raced under the posts, with Krishan adding the conversion. (SPC 15-10 ZC)
Zahira were then handed a golden opportunity after earning a series of penalties deep inside Peterite territory. Kicking to the corner, they set up a powerful rolling maul from a lineout. With the drive surging towards the line, St. Peter’s skipper Shenuka Perera illegally collapsed the maul just short of the try line. The referee had little hesitation in awarding a penalty try while also sending Perera to the sin bin. (SPC 15-17 ZC)
Despite being reduced to 14 men, St. Peter’s finished the half strongly. Just before the break, Perera launched a swift counterattack, moving the ball quickly through the backline. Madugalle drew in two defenders before delivering a perfectly timed pass to fellow flanker Lakindu Ranasinghe, who sprinted down the touchline to score in the corner and restore the hosts’ lead heading into half-time.
Half-time: St. Peter’s College 20 (3T, 1C, 1P) – Zahira College 17 (2T, 2C, 1P)
St. Peter’s began the second half exactly as they had ended the first. A brilliant break from Nethshan Manthusha carried play deep into Zahira territory, and quick recycled possession from scrum-half Shirash Perera found Rashwin Sabar. The centre sold a dummy, found space, and cut back inside, wrong-footing two defenders before crossing the line. Ashok Krishan added the conversion to extend the Peterites’ lead. (SPC 27-17 ZC)
Trailing by ten points, Zahira responded with a sustained period of pressure. The forwards patiently worked through multiple phases in close quarters before hooker Shahib Ishan crashed over from short range. Saifullah Sulfikar continued his impressive afternoon with the boot by adding the conversion. (SPC 27-24 ZC)
Momentum soon swung firmly in favour of the visitors. With the Peterites forced into a defensive mindset, Zahira’s backs came to life as quick hands from Basith Feroz and Gani Scarp created space out wide for speedster Lisath Pathirana, who sprinted over in the corner for the bonus-point try. Sulfikar landed an excellent conversion from the touchline to edge Zahira into the lead. (SPC 27-31 ZC)
St. Peter’s continued to concede penalties, and Zahira made them pay once again. From a lineout just inside the 10-metre line, Shahib Ishan found Sulfikar with a pinpoint throw. The resulting maul gathered momentum, but rather than transfer possession, Sulfikar held on to the ball as his forwards drove him over the line to score. He then converted his own try to stretch Zahira’s advantage. (SPC 27-38 ZC)
The hosts launched one final assault in the closing stages and camped inside the Zahira red zone. After several minutes of determined defence, Manthusha eventually powered his way over for a crucial try to keep St. Peter’s hopes alive, with Rajith Geon adding the conversion.
However, the Peterites were unable to create one final attacking opportunity. In the last passage of play, Senuth Dinasara attempted a kick ahead to keep the attack alive, but the ball drifted into touch, bringing the contest to an end and sealing a famous victory for the Maradana outfit – their first win over St. Peter’s since 1998.
Full Time: St. Peter’s College 34 (5T,3C,1P) – Zahira College 38 (5T,5C,1P)
Swisstek Player of the Match: Saifullah Sulfikar (Zahira College)
Points Breakdown
St. Peter’s College 34
Nethshan Manthusha 2T, Lakindu Ranasinghe 1T, Rashwin Sabar 1T, Jamal Wahab 1T, Rajith Geon 1C, Ashok Krishan 2C,1P
Zahira College 38
Imadh Inam 1T, Shahib Ishan 1T, Lisath Pathirana 1T, Ahamed Arafath 1T, Saifullah Sulfikar 1T,5C,1P
