Wesley College started their participation in the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2024 with a hard-fought 21-14 win against hosts Zahira College at Maradana on the 15th of June.
The last time these two teams met at a 1st XV encounter was 6 years ago at Maradana, where the Wesleyites, led by Daiyan Sabar, secured a 26-7 win.
Wesley opened the scoring with a 19th-minute penalty by A. Haadhi, their Fullback. (WCC 3-0 ZCC)
The 29th minute saw the first yellow card of the game issued for Pawan Thiranagama (WCC) for foul play.
During the 34th minute, Kaveesha Dilhara, Wesley’s winger, scored in the left flank through a quick blitz. Extras were missed. (WCC 8-0 ZCC)
Half Time: (Wesley College 8 – 0 Zahira College)
In the 42nd minute, Haadhi fired a penalty to take Wesley 11-00 up.
The 48th minute saw a try by lock forward Hamdan Shafraz, who put the visitors 16-00 as the kick went missing yet again.
During the 55th minute, Zahira finally got their act together to score a morale-boosting try by lock A. Ahamed and converted by M. Basith. (ZCC 07-16 WCC)
In the 64th minute, there was 2nd try by Kaveesha Dilhara, who almost sealed the deal for the Double Blues. Haadhi, unfortunately, missed all the conversions. (WCC 21-07 ZCC).
During the dying stages of the games, yellow cards were issued to Zahira’s M. Ameen and Wesley’s Kaveesha Dilhara.
The hometown boys, fondly known as ‘Tankers’ pulled off a last-minute comeback effort to score under the post: however, it was too little too late as the lads from Campbell Park secured a close 21-14 victory, with Zahira collecting an all-important losing bonus point.
Full Time – Wesley 21 (3T, 2P) – Zahira 14 (2T, 2C)
- NDB Player of the Match – Kaveesha Dilhara (Wesley College) Points Breakdown
- Wesley – Kaveesha Dilhara 10 points (2 Tries), A Haadhi 6 points (2 Penalties), Hamdhan Shafraz 5 points (1 Try)
- Zahira – M Bashith 7 points (1 Try, 1 Conversion), A Ahamed 5 points (1 Try), Hakeem Chunchi 2 points (1 Conversion)
