Trinity Lions roar to historic rugby double after 39 years

Dialog Schools’ Rugby League Trophy presented by Dialog Axiata Group Chief Marketing Officer Lasantha Theverapperuma (third from left) to Trinity College Captain Shan Althaf and Co-Captains Nisith Kumarasinghe and Udaan Wijekoon alongside Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association President Buddhika Attanayake 

By Shamseer Jaleel

Trinity College etched another golden chapter into its rich rugby history by completing a memorable league and knockout double for the first time in 39 years after defeating St. Peter’s College 20-7 in the Dialog Schools Rugby League Cup Segment title decider at Bambalapitiya last weekend.

The Kandy school capped an unbeaten campaign to successfully defend the league crown they regained in 2025 under Coach Usman Safraz, while also adding the Dialog Schools Knockout Championship they secured earlier this season. The remarkable achievement makes Trinity the first school in recent times to retain both major schools rugby titles and confirms its status as the country’s undisputed champion.

It was a fitting reward for a side that displayed consistency, discipline, and maturity throughout the season. Although challenged by strong contenders Zahira College, St. Peter’s College, and Isipathana College, Trinity never lost sight of its objective and remained unbeaten from start to finish.

The achievement also carries enormous historical significance. The last Trinity team to complete a rugby double came in 1987 under the captaincy of Tyrelle Rajapakse. That legendary outfit not only finished the season unbeaten but also conceded just one try throughout the entire campaign, a record that still stands among the finest in Sri Lankan schools rugby.

This year’s squad may not have matched that extraordinary defensive record, but it demonstrated qualities equally worthy of champions. Built around a powerful forward pack, a well-organised defence, and clinical game management, Trinity proved to be the most complete team in the competition. More than anything, this outfit under Shan Althaf was built as a team of 15 players rather than around individual brilliance.

The title-deciding encounter against St. Peter’s attracted a packed house at Bambalapitiya hours before the kick-off, with the Peterites needing a bonus-point victory to keep their championship hopes alive. Instead, Trinity absorbed the early pressure before taking control through their trademark forward dominance, well supported by their speedy three-quarter line.

Hooker Akila Fernando, new to the No. 2 role, opened the scoring with a well-worked try in the fifth minute, converted by skipper Shan Althaf, giving Trinity an early 7-0 advantage. Although St. Peter’s threw everything at the defending champions, Trinity’s defence remained resolute, while injuries to Akash Fernando and Sadeesha Weewawansha put Trinity into a temporary back foot, but the replacements stood out. They also played this encounter without their other centre/winger, Ammar Manzil.

Leading 7-0 at halftime, Trinity tightened its grip after the break. Althaf added a penalty before No. 8 Achintha Jayasena crashed over in typical fashion under the posts following a powerful surge, with Althaf converting to stretch the lead to 17-0.

Even when Trinity were reduced to 13 players following yellow cards to vice-captain Nisith Kumarasinghe and Althaf, they refused to surrender. Vice-captain and scrum-half Udaan Wijekoon marshalled the depleted side superbly as the Trinitians defended with courage and composure. His leadership was nothing short of exceptional. He kept the team together, not allowing the home side to mount a comeback. The home side opted to slow down the game and played among the forwards, as Trinity’s three-quarters are known to be lightning fast. Sadly, the Bamba outfit’s three-quarters never looked threatening in their approach, hardly making any territorial gains.

St. Peter’s eventually crossed through prop Ashaz Akram for a try, although it appeared to be a knock-on, but Trinity never panicked. Once restored to full strength, Althaf sealed the victory with a late penalty to complete a deserved 20-7 triumph.

Captain Shan Althaf won the Player of the Tournament award, while Udaan Wijekoon, Achintha Jayasena, Evin Jayasena, and Hamza Abdeen were omnipresent not only in the final game but throughout the tournament.

The outfit was coached by Fazil Marija, with Viraj Prashanth serving as forwards coach. Shanuska Abeywickrema and Danushka Ranjan also assisted the team.

Isipathana 31 vs. 29 Zahira

Isipathana College produced a sensational second-half fightback to snatch a thrilling 31-29 victory over Zahira College in their final Cup Segment match of the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2026 at Havelock Park yesterday.

Trailing 12-7 at halftime and later falling 19-7 behind, the Green Shirts mounted a superb comeback with three tries in a blistering 10-minute spell. Centre Naveed Thahir crossed twice while skipper Shaahid Zumri added another, with fly-half Thenul de Costa converting all three to put Isipathana ahead 28-19.

Zahira rallied through a second try by Zain Hassan and a penalty from Basith Feroze to regain the lead at 29-28, but de Costa held his nerve to slot over a dramatic last-minute penalty to seal victory.

The win ensured Isipathana finished their league campaign on a high, displaying resilience and character with one of the competition’s finest second-half comebacks, despite Zahira ending the season as Cup runners-up.

In another Plate Segment encounter, St. Joseph’s College edged out Sumangala College 31-26 at Bogambara Stadium. With this win, St. Joseph’s claimed the Plate Segment, while at Longden Place, S. Thomas’ College, who missed out on a place in the Cup Segment due to circumstances beyond their control, outclassed St. Anthony’s College 29-10 to win the Father Rosaty Trophy.

Ananda College got the better of Thurstan College 32-22 at Ratmalana.

Lumbini edges out Kingswood

Lumbini College produced a major upset when they beat the much-fancied Kingswood College 19-14 in their Dialog Schools Rugby League Bowl Segment encounter played at Bogambara Stadium.

The winners collected their points through one try, one conversion, and four penalties, while the home team scored two converted tries.

The visitors dominated the opening half, racing to a commanding 19-0 lead at the short breather through disciplined rugby and an outstanding kicking performance by fly-half Sachintha Induwara. With Kingswood losing this encounter, Science College claimed the Bowl Trophy on offer.

Induwara contributed 14 points for Lumbini through four penalties and a conversion, while Kavishka Lakshan crossed for the visitors’ only try.

The Randles Hill school fought back strongly, with skipper Shavintha Naweesha leading from the front by scoring one of their two tries, while Thushan Madugalle added the other. Shamith Shafraz was successful with both conversions to reduce the deficit.

Referee Aruna Shantha controlled the game.

In the other Bowl Segment encounters, DS Senanayake College beat Mahanama College 22-19 at Havelock Park, while Science College outclassed Prince of Wales College 53-17 at Mount Lavinia.

With the Dialog Schools Under-19 Rugby League coming to an end, Trinity College won the Cup Segment, St. Joseph’s College secured the Plate Segment, and Science College claimed the Bowl Trophy.

The bottom two teams in the Bowl Segment, Mahanama College and Prince of Wales College, will be demoted to Division 1B for the 2027 rugby season, while Dharmaraja College and Vidyartha College will gain promotion to Division 1A in 2027. (SJ)