Isipathana College (Group 1A), Royal College and St. Peter’s College (Group 2A) have secured their places in the Super Round of the Dialog Schools Rugby League, while DS Senanayake College and S. Thomas’ College will battle it out, with the winner set to take the 4th and final spot in the next round.
A spot in the second round is at stake as D.S.Senanayake College takes on S. Thomas’ College at Havelock Park on the 21st of July.
Both teams played sublime rugby over the past 5 weeks and now is when it matters the most.
Last week, DS managed to hang on for a narrow 4-point win over Kingswood as the boys from Randle Hills fought back to no avail, losing out as their torrid run continues.
>> Donz almost crumble but ultimately walk out unscathed
Meanwhile, S. Thomas’ showed good composure to bounce back against St. Joseph’s College to secure a fighting win by just 2 points as they secured the Lady Jayethilake Shield.
Photos: S. Thomas’ College v St. Joseph’s College | Dialog Schools Rugby League 2023
This week when DS and STC clash, the stakes are much higher and both teams know, nothing but a win would do if they want to keep their League title hopes alive.
Watch the action live on ThePapare.com – LIVE – D.S Senanayake College vs S. Thomas’ College – Dialog Schools Rugby League 2023 and on DTV Channel 126
Trinity host soaring Royal in the first leg of the 77th Bradby Shield encounter at Pallekelle on the 22nd of July
Trinity College have not hit the heights that we are used to seeing as they have struggled for form this season. A massive win against Science in the previous game before the Bradby might be what they were hoping for, however, if they are to trouble this well drilled Royal outfit, it’ll take a lot more than what it took last week.
>> Trinity get into their groove against Science
Royal trounced Dharmaraja at the Complex in week 5, adding to their credentials following their horror start to the 2023 League.
>> Royal College register another win thanks to a dominant second half performance
Royal have gone from strength to strength while it has not been as consistent for the Lions from Kandy. Trinity College will have their work cut out if they are to gain an advantage at the end of the first leg but playing up in Kandy may very well prove to be a challenge for the Royalists.
Watch the action live on ThePapare.com – LIVE – 77th Bradby Shield – Trinity College vs Royal College – 1st Leg and on DTV Channel 126
Table toppers Isipathana take on Wesley at Havelock Park on the 22nd of July
Isipathana have continued without dropping a single game, while Wesley have not managed to win a single encounter in 2023.
The Green Machine has been unforgiving, humbling every other team in their way. Last week, it was a matter of how much against St. Anthony’s rather than would they as Pathana brought about their Razzle-Dazzle, awing the faithful in their win against the Antonians.
>> Isipathana claims resounding win over Eagles
It’ll be more of the same this week as a helpless Double Blues outfit take on Isipathana.
Wesley will surely not come in looking to hand the game way, however, Isipathana, in a league of their own, will no doubt aim to wrap up the first round with an unblemished record.
Watch the action live on ThePapare.com – LIVE – Isipathana College vs Wesley College – Dialog Schools Rugby League 2023 and on DTV Channel 119
High flying St. Peter’s take on Science on the 22nd of July at SPC Grounds
Unbeaten St. Peter’s College take on a wounded Science outfit, sitting at the bottom of the table.
Science College were routed last week by Trinity as the lads from Mount have failed to bag a single game with nothing going their way this season.
For the Pete’s it has been a different story as they have not put a foot wrong. Sanath Martis and his tactics have worked game after game. It seems as if he cannot put a foot wrong as they take on a Science outfit with nothing left to play for.
>> Supreme St. Peter’s vanquish Zahira
Zahira were no match for the lads from Bamba as SPC dispatched the boys from Maradana with ease in week 5.
Kingswood host St. Anthony’s on the 23rd at Pallekelle
Kingswood College too have not been able to pull a single trick out of their bag. Their season went from bad to worse following their loss to St. Joseph’s and seems to be only going down following last week’s defeat to DS.
The Antonians showed promise on the other hand, but were found wanting when it mattered the most.
Defeats to DS and Isipathana mean the Antonians chances of the second round seem unlikely, but a battle for supremacy in the Hill Capital, both teams would eye nothing but a win, especially Kingswood as they seek for lost pride.
Watch the action live on ThePapare.com – LIVE – Kingswood College vs St. Anthony’s College – Dialog Schools Rugby League 2023 and on DTV Channel 126
Vidyartha host Zahira as a the battle for third in group 2A on the 23rd up at Bogambara
Vidyartha host a bruised Zahira College outfit as the lads from Maradana head up to Bogambara aiming to make it 3 out of 5.
In fact both teams have the opportunity to push for their 3rd win as they aim to finish in the top 3 of their group.
This promises to be a more balanced game and picking a winner would be harder than it looks.
Watch the action live on ThePapare.com – LIVE – Vidyartha College vs Zahira College – Dialog Schools Rugby League 2023 and on DTV Channel 119
St. Joseph’s and Dharmaraja receive a BYE.
Points Table:
Isipathana sit pretty on top of 1A while on DS and STC have the opportunity to qualify for the second round.
Royal and SPC have both secured their place in the 2nd round, and now it’s about who will finish in first and second place, However, the Pete’s look the favorites following their week-1 exploits of Royal. 
