Defending champions Royal out on top

Rahul Danaraj on his way to score the second Trinty try

• Dialog Schools Rugby League 2020

By Shamseer Jaleel

Royal 41 points

St Anthony’s 14 points

Defending League champions, Royal College came out strong in the opening game of week 1 with a runaway 41/14 win over Katugastota Antonians at the Royal Sports Complex. The Royal outfit under Lehan Gunaratne played excellent running rugby which defeated the Eagles in the Colombo heat. Though there were chances for the Katugastota outfit to comeback, they did not have a proper game plan.

Royal scored their tries through Chamuditha Chanuka and Rajindu Jayasuriya which the Antonians replied with one through Ushan Jayasuriya. Lehan Gunaratne penalty sealed the first half in favor of Royal. After the turn around, the Antonians scored their second try through Harry Shivak. There were tries from Rajinda Jayasuriya, Janendra Nanayakkara, Chamiththa Gunawardene and Maleesha Perera as the Royalists ran away with a 7 try blitz at home ground.

Isipathana edge out Science

Isipathana 17 points

Science 10 points

 Isipathana had to fire all cylinders in order to get the better of Science College in a close encounter where the Green Shirts won 17/10 at Havelock Park. Ramitha De Silva scored the first for Isipathana. Rasanga Dinushan scored Science’s first try which was converted by Tharush Silva to take the lead 7/5 favouring the Mount Lavinia School. But the home team took the lead soon afterwards through Lukman Riyazs’ try and skipper Ruberu’s conversion. Tharush Silva’s penalty took the scores closer to a 2 points lead for Isipathana at 12/10. Wcikramarachchi’s try took Isipathana 5 points ahead. Though Science made number of bold moves, the Pathanian defense held on to win their first encounter.

Winning start for Kingswood

Kingswood 24 points

St Joseph’s 17 points

Kingswood College, under Aasiri Seneviratne and Head Coach Nilfer Ibrahim- opened the season with a bang when they edged out the much fancied Joes outfit with 24/17. Kingswood scored their tries through Iranga Sandaruwan (2), Chethiya Bandara, Ishara Cooray and Apurwa Wijesinghe with Ishara doing the kicking duties, while the Joes scored through Naveen Marasinghe, Reshan Gunawardena and Ruchira Perera. Skipper Gunawardena did the kicking duties. 

Impressive win for Wesley

Wesley 36 points

Vidyartha 6 points

Wesley kicked off their League hopes with an impressive 36/6 win over Vidyartha who could not take the heat at the top end of the league.

Eranda Harshana, Shehab Packeerally, Theekshana Vithanage and Hafiz Thabeeth scored the tries for the Colombo outfit with the conversions and penalties taken by Shaveen Jayawardena. Kaveesha Kaluarachchi put over the two penalties for the Kandy School.

Strong warning by the Peterites

St Peter’s 50 points

Dharmaraja 14 points

St Peter’s sent a strong warning during the League when they kicked off competitively strong in Bambalapitiya with half a century to 14 points win over the Rajans who were left staggered.

St Peter’s scored their tries through Ishan Fernando (3), Akalanka Perera, Senura Perera, Malinga Seshan, Yashoda Mendis, Shehan Natalian. Thenuka Nanayakkara and Vindya De Mel did the kicking duties. Meanwhile, the Rajans tries were scored by Banula Vithanage and Tharanga Dileepa with Sawmya Wijesiri.

Trinity retain Canon de Saram Shield

Trinity 17 points

St Thomas 8 points

Trinity College kicked off their league contest with an unimpressive 17/8 win over the Thomians. Both teams played scrappy rugby with number of handling errors in the early half. During the second half, Trinity ran a different outfit as the Thomians ran out of steam. The game saw 7 yellow cards with the referee Aaqil Jamaldeen having a field day. The Thomians scored their try through Yapa with De Soyza putting over the solitary penalty while for the home team their tries were scored by Aasiri Kodituwakku, Rahul Danaraj and Dulara Alawattegama. Thamoditha Dodanwatte successfully converted one of them.