Royal ends League campaign with 33-17 win over Wesley

Saturday, 27 June 2026 04:36 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Shamseer Jaleel

Royal College signed off their Dialog Schools Under-19 Rugby League 2026 campaign with a convincing 33-17 victory over Wesley College in their Cup Segment Super Round encounter played at Havelock Park yesterday. Royal collected their points through five tries and four conversions, while the Double Blues scored three tries and a solitary conversion.

The Reid Avenue outfit held a slender 14-12 advantage at half-time before producing a far more polished second-half display to seal fifth place in the final standings, while Wesley finished sixth.

Royal made the perfect start, opening the scoring in just the third minute when Dinuka Perera crossed for the first try. Kavindu Hewage added the conversion to give Royal an early 7-0 lead. Moments later, Hewage missed a straightforward penalty that could have extended their advantage.

Wesley responded strongly and reduced the deficit through a try by Yoshitha Shakorn before taking the lead for the first time in the match. Flanker Liam Onasiz capped off an impressive attacking movement with a well-worked try, and Ahyan Johar converted to hand the Double Blues a 12-7 advantage.

Royal, however, had the final say in the opening half. On the stroke of half-time, Hewage crossed the whitewash before converting his own try to restore Royal’s lead at 14-12.

After the turnaround, Royal dominated possession and territory, pinning Wesley inside their own half. Their sustained pressure paid dividends when the referee awarded a penalty try, stretching the lead to 21-12.

Wesley fought back bravely after introducing Fawas, Thiranagama and Lye. Fawas immediately made an impact. Displaying blistering pace, he brushed aside several defenders to score in the left corner, narrowing the gap to 21-17 and briefly reviving Wesley’s hopes.

However, Royal finished the contest emphatically with tries from Senuth Karunawansa and skipper Disas Pathirana, who added the final score to put the result beyond doubt and complete a deserved 33-17 victory.

Referee: Raveen Alexander.

Attention now shifts to today’s decisive final round. Unbeaten defending champions Trinity College travel to Colombo for the 10th time this season to face St. Peter’s College at Bambalapitiya, while Isipathana College host the spirited Zahira College at Havelock Park in two matches that will determine the destination of the 2026 Dialog Schools Under-19 Rugby League title, and whether it will remain in the Hill Capital or return to Colombo.