St. Peter’s edge Isipathana in scrappy Cup Championship affair

St. Peter’s College edged out Isipathana College in a scrappy, error-strewn encounter to register a hard-fought 14-07 victory in their third-week clash of the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2025, played at the St. Peter’s College Grounds in Bambalapitiya.

Having contested the league decider in each of the past two seasons, this encounter was more a battle for pride, yet intensity remained high from the outset as Isipathana’s Avishka Hiran got proceedings underway. The Green Machine controlled the early exchanges and applied pressure from a five-metre scrum, but a crucial turnover by Jamal Wahab relieved the pressure for the Peterites.

Building on that momentum, skipper Vishenka Silva burst through the defensive line with a powerful carry, with Wahab continuing the surge deep into Isipathana territory. No. 8 Shenuka Perera then picked up from the base of the ruck and bulldozed his way over for the opening try beneath the posts. Rajith Geon added the conversion to give St. Peter’s a 7-0 lead.

St. Peter’s continued to apply pressure and looked likely to extend their advantage, but squandered two clear opportunities, once being held up over the line and later knocking on just metres short. Isipathana’s defence stood firm despite skipper Thinethra Dodangoda being shown a yellow card for foul play at the breakdown. Even while reduced to 14 men, the Green Machine showed admirable resilience to keep the scoreline intact and head into the interval trailing by just a converted try.

Half Time: St. Peter’s College 07 (1T, 1C) Isipathana College 00

The second half followed a similar pattern, with St. Peter’s dominating territory but initially failing to convert possession into points. However, a turnover deep inside Isipathana’s 10-metre zone allowed the Peterite forwards to patiently build phases through close-quarter play. The sustained pressure eventually paid off when tighthead prop Ashaz Farook powered over to extend the lead. Emith Jayaweera made no mistake with the conversion. (SPC 14-00 IC)

St. Peter’s momentum was briefly halted when No. 8 Shenuka Perera was sent to the sin bin for a late tackle. Isipathana capitalised immediately, as flyhalf Thenuka De Costa delivered a superb cross-field kick that was expertly gathered by Avishka Hiran, who finished the move in style. Hiran then converted his own try to reduce the deficit to seven points. (SPC 14-07 IC)

The final five minutes saw Isipathana launch a determined assault inside the Peterite half, applying sustained pressure in search of an equaliser. However, St. Peter’s defence remained resolute, denying the Green Machine any further scoring opportunities to secure their first victory in the Cup Segment.

Full Time: St. Peter’s College 14 (2T, 2C) Isipathana College 07 (1T, 1C)

St. Peter’s College 14

Shenuka Perera 1T, Ashaz Farook 1T, Rajith Geon 1C, Emith Jayaweera 1C

Isipathana College 07

Avishka Hiran 1T,1C