Three Musketeers duel for Plate and Cup Handle

Dialog Schools Rugby League 2025 – Week 9 Tactical Forecast

The winners of the Plate Segment, and the Runners-up of the Cup Segment shall be decided on this final week of the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2025, as it comes to a close following 9 weeks of adrenaline pumping Rugby action consisting of 81 games. Wesley, Royal and S. Thomas’ are all in the race to grab the Runners-up Title which seems to be floating away from all three of them, while DSS, Joes, and Kingswood are still in the open hunt for the Plate Title, as they stand with 23, 20 and 18 points respectively.

Wesley vs S. Thomas’ at Havelock Park on 9 Aug:

While Wesley College confidently takes the Field as the firm favourites, STC has been struggling to focus and deliver, ever since its big win against the Green Machine. Their Trinity game proved that even 20 minutes of substandard rugby can submerge them to the pitch darkness of the abyss, while the Royal game proved that 5 minutes of insensible ‘B Division’ rugby is sufficient to switch places with a losing side. Their loss against Royal was no flaw of the coaching crew, but merely a shortcoming in the momentary delivery and execution, right on the playing Field.

Although the contrast could be phenomenal, lets still go ahead and compare a few skills to amuse ourselves. To begin with, STC’s Forwards are no match for the Double Blues in weight, form or power, and therefore are most unlikely to be able to defend their Pick and Drives, or hold their Mauls. In addition, STC conceded 17 penalties in their own half in their last game, but Wesley requires only 4-5 to win this game. Even if STC’s error count halves in own half, that would still be plenty opportunity for Wesley to lineup lineouts inside the Thora 22, and launch a series of undefendable Maul offensives, with some room for failure, due to either the bended Knees syndrome, or the unwillingness to part with the Ball, as how it transpired at the Pathana game. This factor itself is sufficient for Wesley to cruise through to grab the Runners-up Title.

Wesley College

S. Thomas' College

The Backline game is open for both and is somewhat comparable, with both teams’ ambition being to traumatise the other with rapid and continuous attacks, further infuriated by ’quick taps’ taken instantly at the blowing of penalty whistles, which could ultimately exhaust the Glands producing Adrenaline for the Spectators, more than the Players themselves. Therefore, the fierce contest between the Backs at full speed should be thoroughly entertaining, but when the Ball subsequently switches to the Forwards, then it just could be a one-sided affair. Finally, the number of times the Wesley Forwards are inside the Thomian 40 with Ball-in-hand shall determine the outcome of the game, as nothing else matters.

Royal vs Isipathana at Royal Sports Complex on 9 Aug:

In theory, this could be the second encounter to determine the Runners-up of the League. While the Royal Tuskers have voluntarily hit their peak as planned, playing at home would make them only more ferocious and confident. While Isipathana seems fragile and down, they are far from a dead Horse for Royal to beat for two reasons. One is that the “Pathana” factor can empower, and take over their ghosts at any given time, resulting only in disbelief and dismay for any strong opposition. Second is that Lady Luck has been always kind towards them. Therefore, this is another encounter that cannot be written off, or one that Royal could take for granted.

The Green Machine has also hardened its defences well to concede only two Tries in their last game against a much fluid St. Peter’s sprinters, limiting them to their lowest score of 14 this season. Therefore, one could anticipate their infiltration capabilities to be sharpened in the preceding week to this game. Their Forwards would work on their Pick and Drive, as well as Pick ‘n Go offensives further, as they were unable to score off the former skill since their game against the Thomians, while their Backs shall conduct drills on deceiving their opponents to open gaps that could be infiltrated, whilst also rehearsing their innovating dancing moves for their Date on Saturday.

As in last season, Royal’s Mauls shall be completely disarmed by the Pathana Jumpers, who will turnover most Royal lineouts, and persuade the latter’s pristine Hooker to throw a few strays as well. Moreover, Pathana will be able to launch rewarding attacks using Mauls to score a few Tries, which then makes sense to polish their ploughing skills, in order to make their Forwards game perfect. Let’s compare recent performance stats of both skills portrayed in their last 4 games.

Isipathana College

The stats clearly show that Royal is ahead on the Pick and Drive arena, while Pathana has the Mauls under wraps. Although the Backline attacking game and defence is comparable, Royal is ahead due to the following factors.

• Royal has just turned the corner to play their usual aggressive and dominating rugby, whereas Pathana’s venom has gone MIA after the Knockouts
• The Tuskers’ offensives include proven and accurately executed techniques to overcome tough Backline defences via crosskicks plus ‘kick and chase’ into the vacant spaces of opposition 22s that are most vulnerable
• Their refined zip-slithering Pick and Drive finishes are almost undefendable
• short punts should be also in the bag of tricks to be pulled out only when absolutely necessary
• They are equipped to play a patient possession game, even for the whole 70 minutes, if required

Although Royal is presently conceding 50% more penalties than Isipathana, the above aspects grant the home team a daring edge over the visitors.

St. Joseph’s vs Ananda at CR & FC on 9 Aug:

Joes’ new found formula of playing dominating rugby with disregard to the laws of the game finally backfired when, a comparatively better law-abiding DS halted their unbeaten run in the Plate Segment last weekend. After conceding just 5 penalties against Sri Sumangala, Joes committed at least 22, 19 and 19 offenses in their last 3 games, making it the new norm in Joes Rugby. If Paul Hardcastle was to rewrite his ‘85 hit single for Joes, it would be reworded from “In World War II, the average age of the combat soldier was 26… in Vietnam it was 19”, to “In Plate Segment, the average offenses of the 5 teams in their last two games is 13… for Joes it is 19”.

Ananda’s offenses count is more or less comparable to DS, but their Ball handling is one of the best in the League, with only a few errors in most of their games. Therefore, switch in possession won’t be forthcoming for the Joes, to offset their wrongdoings, although their Ball handling is also reasonably good.  While Ananda prefers to score using their Mauls, Joes opt for Pick and Drives. While Joes hadn’t conceded a single Maul Try in their previous three outings before their last game against DS, they conceded 3 Maul Tries in that game, exposing a huge weakness in their defence, to prompt the Anandians to rub their Palms and smack their Lips, because they love to party in Packs.

St. Joseph's College

Ananda College

One of the other factors favouring the Saints is their dominating game, that has worked well for them until last week. Can Ananda keep up with St. Joseph’s frenzied form of constant attack for the full 70 minutes? Do they possess the energy, composition, discipline and maturity to play a full game of rugby, having total control of their actions, in order to see it to the end? These questions are necessary as they went dull in the last 15 minutes of their game against Kingswood, as if their fuel burnt out, while three Anandians decided to go rogue at the same time, in their last game against Zahira, receiving three not-so-honorary yellow cards. Their coaching crew would have their work cut out, having to return to the basics of U12 coaching, in trying to re-train the entire team to tackle at least 3 feet lower, to ensure the safety of their opposition players, and for the sanity of Ananda Rugby itself. Who would be the better-behaved naughty Boy hailing from the same Township in this encounter, only time will tell?

Trinity vs St. Peter’s at Trinity Rugby Stadium on 10 Aug:

Thrice bitten Bamba Brigade has gone through a rapid and thorough refurbishment process to come out nice and shiny through the Conveyor Belt to be thoroughly worthy opponents of the undefeated League Champions of 2025. Anyone who has already written this game off should be warned that Peter’s will be making this long trip to make it a long day, or rather evening for Trinity, and here’s why.

• They have halved their penalty count down to 8 in their last game and may crush it further, so as to curtail any advantage offered to their deadly opponent
• Beefed up their defences like it used to be in the former years, and have successfully tested it against the infiltrating prowess of Isipathana just last weekend, to successfully limit the latter’s scoring to their lowest this season of 7 points. Moreover, while the Greens were able to score two Tries against Trinity, they managed only one against Peter’s, which is a testament to Peter’s defence solidifying into a hard form of Rock.
• Tuned up their Place Kicking in order to secure the extra points, after much media and social media uproar
• Hardened their defence against Pick and Drives further by incorporating the skills to either hold-up groundings, or to turn them into Mauls prior to turning them over
• Learnt to defend Mauls without collapsing them, and then executed it to perfection in their last 3 games

The Frontline Form 

If we consider the Mauls first, the Peterites are not much in favour, or capable of using it for finishing their attacks, as they haven’t scored a single Try using Mauls in their last 4 games. Instead, they opt for. Pick and Drives to complete their Maul attacks, or often go the whole nine yards with them. Besides, taking on the accomplished Trinity Maul defence would be an utter waste of time and valuable energy. 

However, the Trinitians may grab any or all opportunities to attack with their Mauls, as they are skilled and confident in driving all the way towards the gleaming white line with it. This is where one of the most interesting battles is to take place, as we get to witness one of the best defenders of Mauls in the League (but only next to Trinity), working their wily tricks against the best-in-class Maul attacks of the League. At this juncture, it makes sense to compare performances, but from only the last three games, of both sides in the respective skills.

The above stats show that both teams are strong in their Maul defences, while SPC seems weak in defending Pick ‘n Drives, although it is one of their primary weapons when attacking. Granting it is already known, the stats also depict that Trinity’ defence is solid overall in the Forwards arena. Nevertheless, we may come to witness a witty and skilled battle when the SPC Forwards attack with their most proven weapon, and find out if Trinity could still hold strong.

Trinity College

St. Peter's College

Bold or brittle Backline

We have all come to know and admire the criss-cross curvatures of the Trinity Backline, that executes its algorithm with way too much clock-speed for a normal Brain to process what just happened, but is able to merely acknowledge the occurrence of something similar to the Camera tricks or CGI work that is usually projected on the Silver Screens that is too good to be true, while its fluid and dynamic defence reformation that shifts shape like the Amoeba to occupy any space within the defendable grid in a flash, sums up the Trinity Backline for you. But did you realise how their tackling has influenced their game so far?

Although the Brigade’s Ball handling is pretty decent, they are quite susceptible to hard tackles and jerks, that makes them perfect candidates for the Trinity defence to shake down some white Apples. Conversely, the additional layer of technologically advanced Concrete that has been laid to enhance Peter’s Backline defence should limit the trespassing occurrences inside Brigade’s Fortress. 

The Ending Equation

Having assumed that the Maul and Backline defences of both teams in equilibrium, now the question lies on how capable SPC’s Backline would be to creep through the Trinity defence, and how many pick ‘n drives can be phased out ‘till the untouchable Trinity Tryline?

D.S. Senanayake vs Kingswood at Havelock Park on 10 Aug:

This could have been deemed as one of the best encounters of the Plate Segment, but the volatile nature and inconsistent gameplay by both teams keep even the analysts guessing. Nonetheless, this is poised to be a thriller, worked out on a quiet Sunday evening to make it not much so.

D. S. Senanayake College

Kingswood College.

Kingswood Rugby shall be back in Colombo after playing at home for a while, displaying their amazing Ball swiping and gathering skills, and the subsequent ransacking of the opposition defence with their hurrying Backs, and then trying to finish off things by drilling through their Forwards, utilising their effective and rewarding Pick and Drives, would be a delightful sight to witness in person, once again. They are a fully balanced team, capable of scoring points via their Backs as well. For teams that cannot help but commit offenses inside their grid, Kingswood’s strong Mauls could deliver fitting and memorable punishments. So now let’s jump to the good stuff to find out if DS has what it takes, to take down the up-and-coming force of Kingswood Rugby, by comparing the last 3 games.

While the offenses are comparable at 15 per game, the whopping contrast in the number of unforced handling errors, such as knock forwards, forward passes and other passing errors is phenomenal. This averages at 3 for the hosts against almost 9 for the visitors per game, and inadvertently offsets Kingswood’s heroics performed on-field by swiping and gathering the Ball to turnover possession. While Kingswood has not violated key laws of the game, DS seems to have been finding it hard to deal with it, receiving 4 cards.

The first 3 stats pertain to attacking skills, whereas the other 3 are for defensive. The stats clearly indicate that Kingswood hasn’t been able to score Maul Tries in their last 3 games, because they have been having issues retaining their lineouts, leading to decreased confidence in forming Mauls, whereas DS has attained a high success rate with Maul attacks, due to their accurate lineout throws, combined with the ability to turnover possession as well. In Maul defence, DS was able to perform better by conceding fewer collapsing offenses.

DS shows higher vulnerability against Pick and Drives, which Kingswood would cherish before they relish as it’s their bread and butter in winning games. Although DS seems to be better in Maul defence, they may not have to deal with it in this game.

When it comes down to the Backline game, Kingswood’s nonstop hyperactive attacking momentum that never subsides, could be too much for most teams to comprehend. Hope DS has sufficient stamina to deal with the visitors during the first three quarters, but may God bless them in the last one.

(The analyst can be reached at: 

[email protected])

Pix courtesy of thepaparelanka.com