Plate battle heats up between DS and Joes

Thursday, 7 August 2025 01:55 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Shamseer Jaleel

The final week of the Dialog Schools Under 19 Rugby League Super Round 2025 will see several key encounters that will determine the final standings in both the Plate and Bowl segments. This will be important as these ranking from 1 to 18 will be used for next year’s League groupings with Prince of Wales and Lumbini College propping in to Top Division replacing both Dharmaraja and Vidyartha, both the Kandy schools to be demoted for 2026.

St. Anthony’s College, already confirmed as Bowl champions will host Mahanama at the Nittawela Rugby Stadium on 9 August. As the title is decided, Mahanama could climb to second place with a win. However, with the Antonians recent improvement under Coach Saliya Kumara, home advantage, they remain as hot favourites to end super round on a clean sheet.

On the same day, St. Joseph’s College, after narrowly missing out on the Plate championship by conceding a last-minute try to D. S. Senanayake, will face Ananda College at Longdon Place. Joes require a bonus-point win and will hope D. S. falter the next day against Kingswood.

On 10 August, DS will be in a must-win clash against Kingswood at Havelock Park. A victory would secure the Plate title unless Kingswood win with a bonus point and Joes lose without collecting a losing bonus. The Plate race remains mostly between Joes and DS.

In the Central Hills, Zahira College will meet Sumangala at the Bogambara Stadium on 10 August. After several narrow defeats, Zahira start as favourites, though Sumangala’s physicality could make it a close contest plus playing at home.

Also on 10 August, Dharmaraja and Vidyartha will battle at Nittawela in their final Bowl game before relegation to the lower division in 2026. Both teams are yet to taste a win this season.

The last Bowl fixture on 12 August will see Thurstan take on Science at the Sugathadasa Stadium. Science, currently on 17 points, could finish as runners-up with a win, but a Thurstan victory could see them snatch second place.

All matches promise competitive rugby despite some having no bearing on title outcomes, as teams look to finish their seasons on a high.

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