By Callistus Davy
Mount Lavinia turned electric on Saturday as S. Thomas’ College produced one of their finest performances in years to beat Isipathana College 36-24 a historic win that not only preserved their unbeaten run in the Dialog Schools ‘A’ Division Rugby League, but also ended a painful 16-year wait to get the better of the Green Machine.
The significance of this moment extended far beyond the scoreboard. For those who witnessed this monumental victory over arguably the kings of schools rugby over the past few decades, it felt like a time machine, a flashback to the glory years of 1989, 1990, and 1991, when the Thomians went undefeated for three consecutive seasons, stringing together approximately 44 wins and establishing themselves as an unstoppable force.
Saturday’s performance bore all the hallmarks of those legendary sides. The Thomian forwards were rugged and relentless, robust in weight, power and mobility, echoing the golden era of the late ’80s. Their shoving, handling, and breakdown discipline visibly outclassed even a polished Isipathana pack, while their backline moved with clinical grace, slicing through gaps with accuracy and confidence.
It was the kind of dominant display that nudged skeptics into silence, and sent a clear signal across the rugby community: S. Thomas’ is back, and they may well be on course for championship glory.
The win was made even more meaningful by the occasion itself, the inaugural Rizvy Suhayb Memorial Trophy, named in honour of one of the school’s most revered former captains who passed away recently. To lift the trophy in his memory was both symbolic and emotional, a tribute sealed with pride, passion, and points.
The game was a pulsating battle from the very first whistle.
Thomian centre Seneshka Liyanage opened the scoring with a brilliant burst through the defence, converted by Mayanka Dias to go 7-0 up. But Avishka Hiran, Isipathana’s star fly-half, responded instantly with a solo effort and conversion to level it 7-all. The game tilted again when Thomian fullback Udan Bulathsinhalage was sent to the sin bin, allowing Isipathana to strike through Nimantha Sandeepa, whose try and Hiran’s boot gave them a 14-7 lead.
But the Thomians weren’t rattled.
Vishwa Ariyawansa, the prop forward, crashed over the whitewash in the 23rd minute to equalize, before Tieshiya Aluwihare, the flanker, found a gap and powered through for another try just minutes later. With Dias converting both, the hosts went into halftime ahead, 21-14.
The second half began with a beautifully orchestrated move. Bulathsinhalage initiated the break, McKyle Karunaratne carried it forward, and hooker Eyan Pereira finished it under the posts. Dias again was clinical with the conversion: 28-14.
To their credit, Isipathana fought back gallantly. Hiran scored and converted his second try, and soon after slotted over a penalty to bring it to 28-24. But the Thomians responded like champions.
Down to 14 men after another yellow card, Aluwihare bagged his second try in the 61st minute. Though the conversion was missed, a late penalty from Dias sealed the game 36-24.
As the final whistle echoed across the grounds, there wasn’t a single “Doubting Thomas” left among the blue-and-black faithful.
With this win, S. Thomas’ proved they are arguably the most balanced team in this year’s league, quietly rising through the early rounds, now steamrolling toward the title with the grace and grit of champions. Isipathana and others still to come, were left struggling to find answers to a side that now seems hungry and destined for success.
Referee: Ishanka Abeykoon.
