Both Ananda and newly promoted Prince of Wales coming into this encounter at Air Force Grounds, Rathmalana were coincidentally on the same boat. Both suffering heavy losses during the knockout pre-quarter finals and loosing heavily in their league campaign opener, hence both teams came out into week two to give their two hundred percent and get their first win of their Dialog Schools Rugby League 2026 campaign. With the final whistle blown it was Ananda coming away with the win 31-05.
For a second week running after both teams stepped onto the field there seemed to be a jersey mismatch , but with good management from the referees and match organizers it took only a five minute slight delay and Deneth Chamuditha got things underway at a windy and drizzly Air Force Grounds in Rathmalana. Cambrians were caught guilty a few times and on the fourth minute of play from a well-constructed maul the Maroons Brigade crossed over for their first score through their lock Seymal Wimalasuriya who was wearing the number two jumper. Chamuditha’s conversion attempt was well off. (AC 05-00 POW)
For the next twelve to fourteen minutes it was only the Cambrian forwards, they were all over the Ananda players showcasing brute strength in attack by shrugging off defenders and coming just five meters short of the white line a few times but just failing to execute those final few steps, just as attack they were well updated in defense as well as they turned the ball over a couple of times and gave the Ananda forwards a very tough time, then onwards possession was switching back and forth through lineouts and penalties, again the Cambrians were showing us some entertaining never say never rugby but not to forget the Ananda resilience was high as well as they did not let the lads from Moratuwa cross over. With only about ten minutes left in the first thirty-five Ananda desperately needed a score to be shown in the scoresheet and with that Ovindu Vibhuja crossed over for the second week running for his team through a rolling maul. Chamuditha on point with the two pointed this time around. (AC 12-00 POW)
A restart and a few phases later, four minutes later to be precise the Cambrians were knocking at the door again. This time they were fortunate enough to get a penalty going towards them and centre Tharin Silva’s touch finder brought the Cambrians five meters from their try line and a pin point line out and a good pass from the back of the maul saw number eight Suren Nimsara beating one defender and crossing over for the first try for the Cambrians. Conversion attempt was unsuccessful and we were heading into lemons with an exciting second half to be played. (AC 12 -05 POW)
Half Time: Ananda College 12 (2T,1C) – Prince of Wales’ College 05 (1T)
Coming into the second thirty-five both teams had to go all out as they both needed that big win. A not sufficient first half from Ananda and well played but tad unlucky first half from the Cambrians. Silva got things underway as the Cambrians kicked off the second half. The second half mirrored the first, with the Maroon Shirts crossing over early. This time the loosehead prop Sankitha Hanira putting his name to the scorecard with the support from his fellow forwards. Chamuditha successful off the tee. (AC 19-05 POW)
The story of the game was both teams giving away possession uncharacteristically and a huge number of restarts from lineouts and scrums, many coming in the way of the Cambrians. Later on the Ananda pack seemed to have found their rhythm as they laid the foundation for the rest of the game with Wimalasuriya going over for his second try of the game and extending the Maroon Brigades lead. Chamuditha’s decent day with the boot continued. (AC 26-05 POW)
The Cambrians refused to be put down as they gave another few phases of solid forward play but never managed to up the scoresheet, both teams with ten minutes to go seemed to have had enough as the frustration and fatigue seemed to be kicking in with a couple of loose lineouts and loose ball handling resulting in possession exchanging hands. Ananda somehow getting their act together with an unstoppable maul saw Wimalasuriya at the back of it patiently scanning and crossing over for his hat-rick and nailing the final nail on the coffin and guiding Ananda to their first win in the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2026.
(AC 31-05 POW)
Full Time: Ananda College 31 (5T,3C) – Prince of Wales’ College 05 (1T)
Swisstek Perfect Player Of The Match: Seymal Wimalasuriya (AC)
Points Breakdown