Dialog Schools Rugby League Five matches down for decision in Colombo

By M. Shamil Amit

The second week of the Dialog Schools Rugby League tournament that is scheduled to be worked off today and tomorrow will see five matches down for decision in Colombo with four to be played today and one tomorrow.

Of the four matches slotted to be played today, the encounter between S. Thomas’ and Zahira at Mt. Lavinia is the pick. The other matches down for decision being Ananda vs Science at Ananda ground, Mahanama vs Dharmaraja at Air Force ground in Ratmalana and St. Joseph’s vs Thurstan at Longden Place while Wesley will lock horns against DSS at Longden Place tomorrow.

S. Thomas’ vs Zahira 

Both teams won their matches played last week with the Thomians scraping through 29-28 against Kingswood and Zahira pulling off a 54-19 win against Dharmaraja.

The Zahirians will no doubt be coming into the game with confidence while the Thomians on the other were given a fright by Kingswood. The Thomians would have remedied their shortcomings and it’s left to be seen who will succeed to chalk up their second win.

S. Thomas’ were expected to dominate that game but it was a surprise that they had to work hard before coming out victorious by a whisker. In contrast, Zahira though being a bit shaky in the first half showed their prowess to outclass the Rajans with ease in the second half.

Apart from skipper and scrum half Venuka Wickramasuriya, the Thomians will be banking on No. 8 Mvkyle Karunaratne, hooker Amaan Imran, fly half Mayanka Dias, flankers Treysha Aluvihara and Shalyn Wanigasooriyaand centre Sithil Perera.

Zahira will pin their hopes on skipper and centre, Luqman ul Hakeem, prop forward Zain Hassan, winger second row Azmil Aakif, flankers Iyad Yusuf, and Rifaz Ameen and centres Binuk Perea and Zain Zahim.

Ananda vs Science

One of the newcomers to the top division, Ananda look the side to beat this season as they showed their capabilities in their first match against the defending champions who came into the field sans five of their top players before going down 38-22. Science got a drubbing at the hands of Wesley 63-15. 

Mahanama vs Dharmaraja

This match too is going to be crucial for the two teams as they will be coming into the game aiming for their first win having undergone defeats to Isipathana and Zahira last week. 
Mahanama the other newcomer to the top division, put up a spirited display against Isipathana while Dharmaraja was outclassed by Zahira. However with the teams evenly balanced, the Rajans a team that has won the league title will for sure be looking to save their pride but it’s not going to be easy for them as Mahanama are capable of turning the apple cart.

St. Joseph’s vs Thurstan

St. Joseph’s are fancied to come out victorious Thurstan. The Josephians featured in a tight finish against Vidyartha which ended in 24-all draw while the Thurstanites had an inauspicious start losing 74-0 to Royal. 

Wesley vs DS Senanayake

This game should be a blockbuster both the teams will be coming into the field having recorded wins in their opening games against Science College and St. Anthony’s, Katugastota respectively.

On paper Wesley led by No. 8 Sandul Gammanpilla look to have the advantage and are expected to be one of the teams to be in contention to the Super Six.

DSS on the other hand led by centre Lankesh Wickramasinghe are not going to be push overs and will be looking to repeat their win against Wesley achieved two years ago.