The 6th Week of the Dialog Schools’ Rugby League 2023 came to an end as Trinity College surprised everyone by defeating the much-fancied Royalists at the Bradby while Isipathana College ended the first round unbeaten.
DS Senanayake College, S. Thomas’ College and St. Anthony’s College, all remain in contention for the final Super Round spot in Group 1A, as the final week of the first round rolls on.
Five games kick off simultaneously as the final round of fixtures are set to take place on the 29th of July, Saturday.
D.S. Senanayake College vs St. Joseph’s College at Havelock Park
Hosts DS are still in with a big chance of going through but will need a win against the Joes to ensure progression. They will still have a chance of going through even if they lose, if they finish on equal points (at 2nd place in the group) with either St. Anthony’s or S. Thomas’, given their head-to-head record against the two teams. St. Joseph’s are already out of the race but could have a massive say in the fate of the competition.
DS are coming into this week with a win against the Thomians and will be brimming with confidence given their so far nearly flawless campaign.
>> Umagiliyage boots DS past Thora
St. Joseph’s enter following their BYE week and will be refreshed and ready to make their push towards only their 3rd win this campaign as they eye a place in the top eight and a spot in the Knockout competition.
A game that could potentially decide the fate of the Schools Rugby League, this one should be a cracker, with DS edging in front as slight favourites given their form.
St. Anthony’s College vs S. Thomas’ College at Pallekelle
The Antonians enter the fray following a convincing win on the same strip as they managed to dispatch Kingswood with ease.
>> Eagles stay alive in League with bonus point win
The Thomians had their chance to secure a draw, however, a poor kick by Yehan let his team down against DS and only made their chances of qualification more difficult.
>> Photos – D.S.Senanayake College v S.Thomas’ College | Dialog Schools Rugby League 2023
Now, a victory in itself may be insufficient as the Thomians’ fate lays in the hands of the Josephians, as finishing with a win would only put them on equal terms with the Dons. Their only route forward would be to secure a bonus point win and hope the Joes keep the Dons down to a loss without conceding a bonus point.
The Antonians too would be seeking for a favor from the Josephians but their equation would be to beat STC and hope the Joes beat DS without conceding a bonus point.
Zahira College vs Trinity College at Maradana
Zahira and Trinity’s chances of qualifying for round two is gone, however, bragging rights are on the line for the two teams and so is a third place finish.
The lads from Maradana enter the fray following a victory against Vidyartha up at Bogambara and they will no doubt be aiming to end the first round with a win against the much-fancied Lions.
>> Photos – Vidyartha College v Zahira College | Dialog Schools Rugby League 2023
Trinity come into the game with pretty much their most important and moral boosting victory against arch rivals Royal in the 1st leg of the Bradby shield. This victory will no doubt spur on the Trinity Lions and they too would look to get a W and keep the momentum going before the 2nd leg of the 77th Bradby Shield Encounter on the 5th of August.
>> Spirited Trinity outsmart Royal in Pallekele
Science College vs Dharmaraja College at Air Force Grounds Rathmalana
The Science College lads will have one final opportunity to secure their first win of the League as they play hosts to Dharmaraja College.
>> St. Peter’s see off Science in scrappy affair
On the other hand, Dharmaraja, secured their first win of the campaign in week one over Trinity but things have gone down-hill since, as the Rajans have failed to notch up a single win after the thriller.
A torrid season for both schools will boil down to this final encounter as they aim to wrap up the League with a win.
St. Peter’s College vs Vidyartha College at Bambalapitiya
St. Peter’s College have it all left to play for as they go up against Vidyartha College.
The lads from Maradana continued their route in the first round, this time, demolishing the Science College lads at home. This meant the Peterites continued as just the second unbeaten team in and the only other team able to push Isipathana for the Dialog Schools’ Rugby League title.
Vidyartha managed to defeat Science and Dharmaraja this season, however, a tough campaign, doesn’t get any easier with a game against unbeaten St. Peter’s.
The stakes are higher for the Peterites as they make their push towards the Dialog Schools’ Rugby League title.
Kingswood College vs Wesley College battle it out for the L.E. Blaze trophy!
Archrivals Kingswood takes on Wesley as the two teams battle it out for the L.E. Blaze trophy as both teams will aim to end a Dialog Schools’ Rugby League season with a trophy to take home.
Both teams are winless this season as nothing has gone their way throughout the League campaign. A torrid season will take a while to be forgotten, however, a win in their version of the big match would mean a good result to end the campaign.
Both teams showed sparks of potential throughout, however, neither managed to build on anything as luck too didn’t go the way of either side.
Wesley College no doubt come in as the favorites, however, Kingswood could be a different beast on their own paddock.
Royal and Isipathana earn the BYE as both teams will now come into the second round well rested.
Points Table:
Isipathana will be unmoved after the final week, however, DS, SACK and STC all have the chance of the being the second team to qualify from group 1A.
SPC will have the chance to solidify their push towards the title and their first place in the group with a win as Royal are already through.
