Peter’s end Trinitians’ unbeaten run

Tuesday, 12 August 2025 02:08 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Defending League champions St. Peter’s put up a stunning performance to end Trinity College’s unbeaten run in the Dialog Schools Under-19 Rugby League 2025, edging out the high-flying Trinity Lions 22/20 in a tense encounter at the Pallekele Rugby Stadium on Sunday.

At the short breather, Trinity led 10/5.

Trinity lost the battle but won the war when they claimed the League after a 38-year wait.

With this win, St. Peter’s retained the Deshamanya Denis Perera Trophy for yet another year and continue to have Pallekele as their favoured ground.

The Peterites, who have a proud tradition of thriving under pressure, regrouped after halftime. Their forwards began to assert dominance at the breakdown, while the backline showed cohesion in attack, breaching the Trinity defence with well-constructed moves. St. Peter’s ran in three tries, two of which were converted, and added a crucial penalty to edge ahead in the closing stages. The Lions held the lead 20/19 till late but a number of repeated mistakes cost them the game, where the lads from Bambalapitiya put over a penalty in the dying stages of the game.

Vishenka Silva, Ashaz Akram, and Emith Jayaweera played well for the visitors, while for the home team, Manusha Silva, Akash Fernando, Nisith Kumarasinghe, Hamza Abdeen, and skipper Usmaan Safraz played their hearts out for the Lions.

Sithila Nimsara (2) and Ashaz Akram scored the Peterite tries, with Emith Jayaweera converting two of them and putting over a penalty. For the home team, Shan Althaf scored the try, conversion, and two penalties.

Referee Kelum Sandaruwan handled the game.

Vidyartha beat Dharmaraja 29/26 in the Bowl segment, while in the Plate encounter, Sumangala drew with Zahira 34/34 at the Bogambara Stadium.

DS beat Kingswood 34/31 to win the Plate segment. (SJ)