Roaring Lions rewrite history with emphatic final win

Monday, 6 April 2026 03:04 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Trinity Rugby outfit

Player of the Final Udan Wijekoon

By Shamseer Jaleel

Trinity College produced a breathtaking performance to overwhelm Royal College 58-26 and clinch the Dialog President’s Trophy Schools Knockout Rugby Championship 2026 in the grand final played at the Sugathadasa Stadium last weekend.

At the short breather, Trinity led 27/12.

In what will go down as one of the most remarkable finals in schools rugby history, Trinity’s 58 points stand as the highest total ever recorded in a President’s Trophy final since its inception in 1985. The victory also marked Trinity’s fourth Knockout title, adding to their previous triumphs in 1987, 1993, and 2011.

Leading from the front was skipper and fullback Shan Althaf, who delivered a captain’s performance of the highest quality. His hat-trick of tries, coupled with accurate place-kicking, ensured Trinity maintained control throughout the contest

Equally influential was Co-Vice Captain and scrum-half Udan Wijekoon, who was deservedly named Player of the Final. His vision, awareness of the game, and clever chip kicks unlocked the Royal defence time and again, turning the momentum decisively in Trinity’s favour.

Fly-half Abdul Malik also played a pivotal role, orchestrating attacks with precision and contributing crucial scores. His understanding with Wijekoon and Althaf proved to be a decisive factor in Trinity’s attacking dominance.

After an early exchange of tries, Trinity shifted gears and transformed the game into an open, high-tempo contest. Their backs Dimath Ambepitiya and Ammaar Manzil exploited space brilliantly, while the forwards laid a solid foundation with relentless physicality.

Royal College, to their credit, showed glimpses of their strength through skipper Disas Pathirana and fullback Shimak Shafeek, both of whom displayed individual brilliance. However, they were unable to contain Trinity’s relentless attacking waves.

The second half saw Trinity extend their dominance, running in tries from all areas of the field, completing a 10-try blitz where four of them were converted. Even as Royal fought back late in the game, Trinity’s lead was already insurmountable.

Trinity scored through Althaf (3), Manzil (2), Ambepitiya (2), Kevin Weerakoon, Abdul Malik, and Hamza Abdeen, while Shan, according to his high standard of kicking, was average, being able to slot only three conversions out of nine attempts while Ammar Faizal put over one conversion.

For Royal, Themiya Amarasinghe, Pathirana, Methika Yatawara, and Hiruka Jayadinu scored the tries, with Shafeek converting three of them.

A major share of the credit must go to the Trinity coaching staff, led by Fazil Marija. His vision and experience have transformed the side into a formidable outfit capable of executing modern, attacking rugby with precision.

He was ably supported by a dedicated coaching panel comprising Viraj Prasanna, Sanushka Abeywickrema, Kapila Silva, and Tharaka Algama, whose collective efforts have shaped a disciplined and confident team.

With this emphatic triumph, Trinity have not only reclaimed Knockout glory but also sent a powerful statement ahead of the League encounters, which will kick off in three weeks.

Referee Ishanka Abeykoon controlled the game.