Wesley prevail in last-minute thriller to take second spot
Wesley College produced a stirring second-half fightback to edge S. Thomas’ College 43–38 in a pulsating Cup Segment clash of the Dialog Schools Rugby League Tournament at Havelock Park yesterday, reclaiming the Oliver Gunatilleke Shield after six years and sealing the runners-up position.
The victory saw the Double Blues finish second in the points table behind champions Trinity College. Trailing 15–19 at half-time, Wesley returned with renewed fire, unleashing their trademark fast-paced, attacking brand of rugby under captain Sandul Gammanpila to overrun the Thomians in a see-saw battle.
Wesley produced a remarkable second-half rally to beat S. Thomas'. Pix by Eshan Fernando
Wesley scored their match-winning 43 points from four goals and three tries, while S. Thomas’ fought gamely to notch 38 points through four goals and two tries.
Wesley struck first in the 8th minute when winger Prarthana Rodrigo finished in the corner, though full-back Abdul Haadhi missed the conversion, leaving the score at 5–0. The Thomians hit back six minutes later through full-back Akith Cooray, marking his return by finishing a move sparked by No. 8 McKyle Karunaratne. Winger Mayanka Dias converted, putting the visitors ahead 7–5.
Undeterred, Wesley regained the lead with back-to-back tries. In the 20th minute, fly-half Shifan Inthikab took a neat pass from Haadhi to dive over, and five minutes later, burly lock Pawan Thiranagama crashed over from a rolling maul. However, Haadhi was off target with all three conversions, leaving Wesley ahead 15–7.
The Thomians clawed back on the half-hour mark when a flowing backline move sent Dias over for an unconverted try, narrowing the gap to 12–15. Minutes later, tempers flared in the right corner, resulting in yellow cards for Cooray, Wesley centre Mohamed Fawaz, and winger Kaveesha Dilhara.
After nearly 15 minutes of delay, play resumed, and Dias struck again down the left corner, converting his own try to put S. Thomas’ ahead 19–15 at the break.
The second half unfolded as a rollercoaster. Haadhi made amends in the 43rd minute, dummying his way over and converting to restore Wesley’s lead at 22–19. But just two minutes later, Avishka Perera crossed for the Thomians, and Dias’ conversion swung the lead back to 26–22.
Wesley player is tackled by a Thomian.
The Thomians extended their advantage when Karunaratne powered over for a converted try, making it 33–22. Wesley hit back in the 56th minute through Nelith Hapugala, with Haadhi adding the extras to cut the deficit to 33–29.
Buoyed by that score, skipper Gammanpila bulldozed his way over in the 60th minute, Haadhi’s conversion putting Wesley ahead 36–33. Yet the Thomians refused to yield, and Karunaratne’s barging try in the 69th minute saw them reclaim the lead 38–36.
But the final twist came in the dying moments when centre Danush Dassanayake burst through for the decisive try, referred to the TMO before being awarded. Haadhi held his nerve with the conversion, sealing a dramatic 43–38 triumph.
It was Wesley’s first victory over the Thomians since 2019 – a fitting finale to their season, blending grit, pace, and a refusal to back down.
Referee: Jeewaka Fonseka