St. Joseph’s College and Isipathana College are the only teams to remain unbeaten as the Dialog Schools Rugby League saw yet another eventful week draw to a close.
Four games took place on Saturday while only two games were held on Sunday as the Dialog Schools Rugby League returned following a week’s break.
Royal College vs S. Thomas’ College
The lads from Reid Avenue defended the Michael Gunaratne Trophy to bounce back from a defeat at the hands of arch-rivals Trinity, at one of two games in Colombo on the 16th of July.
The Thomians were completely outplayed and outclassed. The Royal forwards and back both stepped up as S. Thomas’ were at the mercy of the Royalists.
A dazzling attack coupled with sublime defence meant the visitors were unable to get into double figures as Royal were potent in all facets of the game
Royal will turn their attention to St. Joseph’s next, while the Thomians will be one of two teams in Group 1A now playing to get off the mark.
Full Time: Royal College 20 (3T 1C 1P) – S. Thomas’ College 08 (1T 1P)
Wesley College vs Science College
The Les-Blue were not troubled by Science College by any means, as Wesley College cruised to a bonus point victory, conceding only two tries.
Science College failed to get a foothold in the game and were made to pay with indisciplined defence coupled with an ineffective attack.
With St. Peter’s losing out against Pathana, Wesley College will be eyeing 2nd place in Group 2A while Science College will be seeking to evade the wooden spoon as they take on Vidyartha College.
Full Time: Wesley College 38 (6T 2C) – Science College 10 (2T)
Trinity College vs St. Joseph’s College
Trinity College were outplayed on their own paddock by the visiting Josephians as they kept their unbeaten tag alive.
Travelling up to Pallekale and defeating the Trinity Lions is no easy feat, and the Josephians must be enormously pleased with their effort.
The visitors started off in similar fashion to their previous games with an early score and managed a healthy cushion before lemons.
The second half was error-laden with both teams losing the plot as fatigue set in. St. Joseph’s hung on by the skin of their teeth, keeping Trinity at bay. A solitary penalty by the Josephian five-eight took the Josephians to the 20-point mark.
Trinity managed a try with minutes left: however, they failed to repeat their feat against Royal as they were handed their first defeat of the season.
Royal remain as the next hurdle for St. Joseph’s, while Trinity host Kingswood before the super round comes around.
Full Time: Trinity College 15 (2T 1C 1P) lost to St. Joseph’s College 20 (2T 2C 2P)
Dharmaraja College vs Vidyartha College
Vidyartha continued their streak with their second win in many weeks, this time dismantling Dharmaraja College at Nittawela.
The home town rivals locked horns and it was the hosts who got ahead early and made sure not to relish in that position as they comprehensively defeated the Rajans who were staring down the barrel without a ‘W’ to their name.
the task will only get more difficult for the Rajans as they travel down to Colombo, while the Tigers will look to round off a successful first round against Science College at Mount Lavinia.
Full Time: Vidyartha College 17 (2T 2C 1P) – Dharmaraja College 08 (1T 1P)
Sunday the 17th saw Isipathana host Peters, while Kingswood made the short trip to Nittawela to play St. Anthony’s College.
Isipathana College vs St. Peter’s College
The Green Machine made easy work of the malfunctioning St. Peter’s outfit. The Peterites’ season hung in the balance with this being a crucial game. However, the Blue, White and Gold lads from Wellawatte failed to rise up to the occasion.
St. Peter’s College were outplayed, outclassed and taken to the cleaners by a potent Pathana outfit, which is just one of two teams to remain unbeaten alongside St. Joseph’s College.
Peter’s, on the other hand, were playing with a man advantage for most of the game but failed to make it count at the crucial moments as Sanath Martis will surely be laying down the law in strict fashion.
Isipathana will look to round off the first round unbeaten. However, their coaching staff will very well know there could be no room for complacency.
Peter’s hope of a second round is almost gone now, but a crucial win over Wesley College could be a moral-boosting victory if they are able to displace the double blue.
Full Time: Isipathana College 29 (5T 2C) – St. Peter’s College 17 (3T 1C)
St. Anthony’s College vs Kingswood College
Anto absolutely demolished Kingswood College to get off the mark with a 50+ victory. Kingswood had no answers to the Anto attack while they failed to spring an attack of their own, as Kingswood managed just 7 points in a devastating defeat.
the Kingswood season is only going from bad to worse, and this defeat at the hands of Anto highlights the fact that Kingswood needs to overhaul their system before the start of the 2023.
Tiron Mariyadas’ hat-trick of tries made smooth sailing for the Anthonians, and this win will no doubt encourage the lads as they travel down to Colombo to take on S. Thomas’ College.
Kingswood will travel to Pallekele and seem destined to receive the wooden spoon following a horrendous season.
Full Time: St. Anthony’s College 57 (9T 6C) – 07 (1T 1C) Kingswood College
