Zahira College on Saturday produced one of the biggest upsets in recent schools rugby history when they edged out Royal College 29/26 in their Dialog Schools Under-19 Rugby League 2026 encounter played at the Royal Sports Complex.
The famous victory ended a 63-year wait for Zahira, whose last triumph over Royal came in 1963 under the leadership of double international Ibrahim Hamid.
One of the oldest rugby-playing schools in Sri Lanka, Zahira first introduced the sport in 1920 and this memorable triumph added another proud chapter to their rich rugby tradition. The visitors displayed tremendous courage, discipline, and attacking flair to stun the more fancied Royal outfit.
Further, they continued their winning streak in their three outings.
Zahira drew first blood when centre Farhan Fazlath crossed over for an unconverted try in the third minute of the game. They continued to dominate proceedings with their no. 8 Manzil Samath powering through the Royal defence in the 13th minute for their second try. Flanker Saifullah Zulfiqar added the conversion as Zahira stretched their advantage to 12-0.
Royal gradually settled into the game and centre Hiruka Jayanidu responded with an unconverted try in the 20th minute to reduce the deficit to seven points. Royal was in major trouble when their skipper and no. 8 Disas Pathirana was given a yellow card in the 30th minute of the game, which disrupted their progress in leadership.
At the short breather, the lads from Maradana led 12/5.
After the turnaround, Royal came back strongly, with winger Kavan Ekanayake touching down to level the scores at 12-all. But Zahira answered in stunning fashion, defending bravely before launching a devastating scoring burst.
Zulfiqar scored first before scrum-half Afham Abdeen sliced through the Royal defence twice within minutes to hand Zahira a commanding 29-12 lead after Zulfiqar added the conversion. Royal fought back through Dinuka Perera and Praveen Nimsara, while Shimak Shafeek converted both tries to cut the gap to three points.
Royal thought they had snatched victory in the dying moments when Dinuka Perera sprinted over the line, but the effort was ruled out after he stepped into touch. It was referee Charani Liyanage, spot on with her decision to call that the Reid Avenue player’s leg touched the line.
Zahira Head Coach is former Rajans, Kandy SC, and National rugby player Radhika Hettiarachchi.
In other matches
Defending League champions Trinity too continued their winning streak when they handed off Kandy Sri Sumangala 39/0 at the Nittawela Rugby Stadium.
At the short breather, Trinity led 19/0.
Trinity crossed the visitors’ line on seven occasions while converting two of them. They will meet DS Senanayake College in their next encounter, with the venue yet to be decided due to the hosting rights taken out of DS.
At Pallekele, the Antonians registered their first win this season when they edged out DS Senanayake College 21/19.
At the short breather, the lads from Katugastota led 7/0.
Joes ran riot at Ratmalana in a second-half burst to outclass Mahanama 41/25.
At the short breather, Joes led 24/6.
Wesley, too, continued their winning streak when they went past Ananda 36/18 at the Ananda College Ground in Rajagiriya.
At the short breather, the Double Blues led 21/10.
Thurstan continued their good running rugby when they edged out Kingswood 25/21 at the Sugathadasa Stadium last weekend.
At the short breather, Thurstan led 15/7.
In Mount Lavinia, the Thomians outclassed Science 41/13 last weekend. The Thomians, returning to winning ways from their last weekend encounter against Kingswood in Central Hills, led 10/8 at the short breather.