31-all draw between Mahanama and Science
Minnows Mahanama College and Science College settled in to a sizzling 31-all draw in a Bowl Segment game of the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2025 at the Sugathadasa Stadium yesterday. In a game where both teams were locked on equal terms for more than a half of the full duration, both Mahanama and Science raked in their points through four converted tries and a penalty, while earning bonus points.
Science struck first in the seventh minute through their skipper and flyhalf Dilruwan Perera, who converted his own try. Mahanama bounced back to equalise in the 13th minute through their prop Avishka Samarakoon, who landed under-the-posts to give centre Isuru Akash an easy conversion.
With the momentum gained, Mahanama struck with their second try in the 16th minute after Samarakoon braced an almost identical try. With Akash’s conversion Mahanama led for the first time 14-7. But Science had other ideas, as they explored for more options to strike back. And in the 24th they found an opening with No.8 Demitha Silva bracing a try, as Perera’s conversion helped Science equalise 14-all. On the brink of the halftime Akash fired a penalty to put Mahanama in the lead by 17-14.
Soon after the resumption skipper Perera took a penalty opportunity to equalise at 17-all before No.8 Vimanga Vishal barged over to put Mahanama back in the lead by the 38th minute. With Akash’s conversion they expanded it to 24-17 to enjoy a brief lead.
Pushing the game into further excitement winger Rithnuka Dabare sneaked through to steal a try as Science equalised 24-all in the 42nd minute following Perera’s successful conversion from a difficult angle. No.8 Demitha Silva’s second try in the 55th minute and Perera’s conversion put back Science in the lead by 31-24, before Mahanama shocked the entire crowd with a powerful running try by winger Nethun Nimviru in the 64th minute to equalise with a successful conversion from Akash that ended the game locked at 31-all.