Under-18 Elite Rugby Sevens 2025: Wesley stamp their class

By Shamseer Jaleel in Kandy

Wesley College was in supreme form, defeating D.S. Senanayake College 19-12 in the Cup final at the All Island Under-18 Elite Rugby Sevens 2025, which concluded at Bogambara Stadium in Kandy.

Wesley College took an early lead through two tries, one conversion, and a penalty try, while DSS replied in the latter half with two tries, converting one of them.

The Plate was won by Kandy Sumangala, who beat Lumbini 26-17, while Ananda claimed the Bowl with a close 28-24 victory over Thurstan. Rajans did not go empty-handed, winning the Shield encounter against St. Aloysius 33-5. Kandy Sumangala impressed in the semi-final by defeating the much-fancied Isipathana 28-14.

A total of 24 teams took part in the two-day tournament, with Trinity, Royal, and S. Thomas’ not participating. 

Results:

Cup quarter-final: St. Peter's beat Isipathana 12-7, DSS beat Kandy Sumangala 24-0, Wesley beat Zahira 26-19, Vidyartha beat Lumbini 17-12

Cup semi-final: DSS beat St. Peter’s 19-12, Wesley beat Vidyartha 14-10

Cup final: Wesley beat DSS 19-12

Plate semi-final: Kandy Sumangala beat Isipathana 28-14, Lumbini beat Zahira 21-19

Plate final: Kandy Sumangala beat Lumbini 26-17

Bowl quarter-final: Ananda beat Mahanama 14-12, St. Joseph’s beat Science 26-5, Kingswood beat St. Anthony’s 24-19, Thurstan beat Prince of Wales 24-14

Bowl semi-final: Ananda beat St. Joseph's 21-17, Thurstan beat Kingswood 24-14

Bowl final: Ananda beat Thurstan 28-24

Shield quarter-final: St. Aloysius received a walkover from Sri Piyarathana, Nugawela Central beat St. Benedict’s 12-7, Panadura Sri Sumangala beat St. Sylvester’s 19-14, Dharmaraja beat Maliyadeva 29-7

Shield semi-final: St. Aloysius beat Nugawela Central 24-19, Dharmaraja beat Panadura Sumangala 29-5

Shield final: Dharmaraja beat St. Aloysius 33-5