Thomian grit prevail over avenging Peterites
S. Thomas’ College pulled off a stunning second-half fightback to defeat St. Peter’s College 28-26 and lift the prestigious Archibald Perera Memorial Trophy in a dramatic Cup Segment clash of the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2025 at Mt. Lavinia yesterday.
The Thomians scored four converted tries to make 28 points, while the Peterites scored four tries and conversions to total 26 points. In a classic see-saw battle, both teams went into the halftime locked at 14-all. But it was the Thomians who held their nerve in the second half, showed clinical finishing, big-match temperament, and better game management under pressure.
Peterite forwards desperately try to bring down a Thomian from going ahead - Pic by M.A. Pushpa Kumara
St. Peter’s made a powerful start, drawing first blood in the sixth minute when centre Senuk Dimsara sliced through the midfield after receiving two slick passes from skipper and centre Vishenka Silva, and a supporting forward. The conversion was good, and the home side led 7-0.
Building momentum, the Peterites stretched the lead to 14-0 in the 19th minute when powerful prop Januth Ratnayake bulldozed his way over the whitewash. Winger Jeo Rajith added the extras with ease, and the Bambalapitiya side and their supporters was buzzing.
But S. Thomas’ didn’t take long to respond. Flyhalf Udan Bulathsinhalage got on the board in the 23rd minute, dotting down after a sharp offload from winger Mayanka Dias. Dias, in top kicking form, added the extras to cut the deficit to 7-14.
With momentum swinging, giant centre Chanuth Eheliyagoda spotted a gap, stepped past defenders, and dived over for the equaliser in the 28th minute. Dias made no mistake with the conversion, levelling scores at 14-all at the break.
The second half belonged to the boys from Mount Lavinia. They came out with renewed fire and were first to score after the restart with a converted try to take a 21-14 lead. Six minutes later, Mayanka Dias turned from provider to finisher as he side-stepped two defenders and raced to the try line, securing the bonus-point try. With Dias himself slotting the conversion, the score swelled to 28-14 in the 51st minute.
The Peterites’ comeback chances were dented in the 56th minute when their dangerous fullback Revon Perera received a red card, leaving the home team down to 14 men for the rest of the game.
Despite being a man down, the Peterites showed grit and heart. They scored an unconverted try a few minutes later to make it 28-19, and then No.8 Shenuka Perera bulldozed his way for his second try of the game, this time near the corner. Rajith calmly slotted the difficult conversion, bringing the score to a nail-biting 28-26.
However, time ran out for the brave Peterites as the referee Jeewaka Fonseka blew the final whistle, confirming S. Thomas’ as winners and the proud holders of the Archibald Perera Trophy. The Thomians showed they could dig deep under pressure. Their backline clicked at the right moments, and their finishers stepped up when it mattered. Meanwhile, the Peterites will rue missed tackles and poor discipline
that cost them dearly, especially the red card at a crucial stage.