McKyle stars as Thomians contain Zahira
S. Thomas’ College signaled their intentions for the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2025 season with a resounding 43-19 win against Zahira College, as No.8 McKyle Karunaratne starred with a couple of tries and some devastating moves at Mt. Lavinia yesterday.
While earning a well-deserved bonus point win, the Thomians raked in their points from six tries, five conversions and a penalty, in which winger Mayanka Dias starred contributed with 13 points with his kicks. While the hosts led the halftime by 14-0, Zahira managed to score from three tries and two conversions, all which came in during the second half.
Thomian centre Chanuth Eheliyagoda on his way to score a try against Zahira - Pic by Eshan Fernando
In contrast to what depict in the scoreline, the game was vicious, past-paced and at times went off the hands, in addition to appalling weather conditions that surely hampered a much exciting game. Despite the constant attempts by Zahira, the Thomians proved their grit with runaway tries from fullback Akith Cooray in the 20th minute and flanker Vishwa Ariyawansa in the 35th minute. Winger Dias was accurate at both his kicking attempts, as Zahira found themselves ruing for their own slipups.
Three minutes after the resumption Zahira made a remarkable approach, following their failed attempts in the first half, with centre Hakeem Chunchi landing a running try. With winger Abdullah Hassan’s conversion, they indicated of a thrilling second half with S. Thomas’ still leading 14-7. But the hosts were too methodical in their approach frustrating Zahira further, and to escalate the already heating on-field tensions, the Thomians crashed in with a try from their speedy centre Chanuth Ehelilyagoda in the 47th minute, which gave Dias an easy conversion top expand the lead 21-7.
Zahira’s attempts were further hampered when star of the weather hampered day KcKyle Karuanratne took matters to his own hand and went all the way to post a try in the 52nd minute. With Dias’ conversion the Thomians were sailing at 28-7. But a stunner from skipper and centre Luqman Hakeem in the 55th minute, coupled with the successful conversion from Hassan opened the game wide, with 15 more minutes left, and S. Thomas’ still leading by 28-14.
Centre Avishka Perera was next to join the Thomian spree of tries when he turned tables on a Zahira move to brace a try two minutes later, to have his side further expand the lead to 33-14 after Dias recorded his only failure in conversions. To make amends, Dias put over a penalty that came in S. Thoams’ favour in the 62nd minute to put his team in command by 36-14.
But Zahira were not yet done, as they continued to display their undying desire to breach the Thomian defence with another stunner from winger Abdullah Hassan, who flew over the fight corner to add an unconverted try to their tally in the 64th minute. The final nail of the coffin was hit by none other than McKyle Karunaratne, who scored an identical second try in the 67th minute to give Dias an easy conversion, as the Thomians rejoined a commanding 43-19 win.