Zahira College booked their spot in the Quarterfinals with a hard-fought 16-12 victory over Vidyartha College in the Dialog Schools Rugby Knockouts 2025 President’s Trophy Pre-Quarterfinal, played at Havelock Park.
After a thrilling encounter last season, where Zahira College edged out Vidyartha College 13-10, another close battle was expected. Sadew Dilshara kicked off proceedings for Vidyartha, but it was Zahira who struck first.
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Winning an early penalty, the boys from Maradana kicked to touch and launched a powerful rolling maul from the ensuing lineout. Although Vidyartha initially managed to halt the drive illegally, Zahira’s forwards kept the pressure on. Hooker Raihan Rushan pounced on the loose ball from the ruck and darted over the line to score the game’s opening try. (ZC 05-00 VCK)
Both teams showed attacking intent, piling on the pressure, but struggled to convert chances into points. Discipline soon became an issue, with Vidyartha’s fly-half Pramesh Ayodya taking a quick tap penalty only to be illegally tackled by Zahira’s Iyaad Yusuf, who was sent to the sin bin for not retreating 10 meters. Shortly after, Vidyartha’s hooker Kawishka Walikadage was also shown yellow following an on-field altercation that escalated into a brief scuffle.
With both sides down to 14 men, Zahira seized the opportunity when Vidyartha conceded a breakdown penalty. Abdullah Hassan calmly slotted the kick between the posts to extend Zahira’s lead. Despite a few more promising moments, neither team could capitalize before halftime, leaving the score unchanged heading into the break
Half Time: Zahira College 08 (1T,1P) – Vidyartha College 00
Vidyartha needed to score first in the second half to stay in the contest, but Zahira College dominated both territory and possession early on. Despite their control, a few sloppy passes — from Hakeem Chunchi to Zain Zahim, and then from Zahim to Abdullah Hassan — weren’t collected cleanly. Vidyartha pounced on the loose ball as Hevin Keshan launched a counterattack. Playmaker Pramesh Ayodya made a strong break before offloading to Yoshitha Bandara, who was brought down just five meters short. However, Vidyartha earned a penalty, and Ayodya took a quick tap before setting up Sanmeth Adhikari, who powered over the line for a crucial try. Kavindu Hewage added the extras to bring the game back to a one-point affair. (ZC 08-07 VCK)
Momentum seemed to swing towards Vidyartha, but disaster struck when Ayodya’s clearance kick was charged down by Inishan Naweed. Ameen Rifaz quickly gathered the loose ball and set up winger Ghani Saraph, who sprinted down the wing to score a critical try for Zahira, reestablishing their lead. (ZC 13-07 VCK)
Vidyartha, however, kept pushing, spending most of the time in Zahira territory. Their efforts were again undone by ill-discipline: flanker Kenula Wijetunga, after trying to sneak down the short side from a lineout, was bundled into touch by Zahira’s scrum-half Afham Abdeen. Frustrated, Wijetunga lashed out by punching a Zahira player right in front of the assistant referee, earning himself a yellow card.
With the numerical advantage, Zahira played smart, patient rugby. They stuck to their forwards with effective pick-and-drive phases, eventually winning a breakdown penalty. Replacement prop Tuan Raheem calmly slotted the kick to stretch Zahira’s lead to nine points. (ZC 16-07 VCK)
Still, Vidyartha refused to back down. They won a kickable penalty but chose to gamble by running it. The ball was spread wide to Pamuditha Narayana, who made a strong run deep into Zahira’s red zone before popping a brilliant offload to Sanmeth Adhikari. Adhikari powered through two tacklers to score his second try of the match, keeping Vidyartha’s hopes alive. (ZC 16-12 VCK)
However, with time running out, Zahira College smartly controlled possession inside Vidyartha’s half, closing out a tense battle and sealing their spot in the Quarterfinals next week.
Full Time: Zahira College 16 (2T,2P) – Vidyartha College 12 (2T,1C)
Swisstek Player of the Match: Zain Zahim (Zahira College)
Points Breakdown
Zahira College 16
Raihan Rushan 1T, Ghani Saraph 1T, Abdullah Hassan 1P, Tuan Raheem 1P.
Vidyartha College 12
Sanmeth Adhikari 2T, Kavindu Hewage 1C.
