Wesley retain Sir Oliver Goonetilleke shield in seven-try spectacle

Saturday, 11 July 2026 01:42 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Shamseer Jaleel

Wesley College produced a scintillating attacking display to retain the Sir Oliver Goonetilleke Shield with an emphatic 41-24 victory over S. Thomas› College in their annual rugby encounter played at the CR and FC Ground at Longdon Place yesterday.

The thrilling contest was evenly poised at halftime with the scores locked at 19-all after both teams exchanged tries in an entertaining opening spell. However, Wesley dominated the second half with a relentless attacking performance, adding four more tries to pull away from their traditional rivals.

The winners crossed the whitewash seven times and added three successful conversions, while the Thomians replied with four tries and two conversions. Wesley›s pace, handling skills and clinical finishing proved the difference as they overwhelmed the Thomian defence after the interval.

The victory ensured Wesley retained the prestigious Sir Oliver Goonetilleke Shield, awarded in honour of Sri Lanka›s first Ceylonese Governor-General. The encounter once again lived up to its reputation as one of the oldest and most keenly contested school rugby fixtures in the country.

Referee was Hasantha Weranga.