Reviewed by Rehan Anandakumar (Web Content Team)
To those watching, Trinity and Royal alike, this was no ordinary final, but a cinematic showdown that pulsed with tension. Every phase carried weight, every moment edged closer to history. The Lions arrived at Sugathadasa Stadium with purpose and spent eighty minutes delivering on it, claiming the Dialog Schools Rugby Knockouts 2026 President’s Trophy after fifteen years.
From the first whistle, the Lions moved the ball with structure and intent that Royal College, Colombo struggled to contain. Centre Kevin Weerakoon opened the scoring out wide, following a well-worked passage involving Abdul Malik and skipper Shan Althaf, who joined in with quick and controlled passing.
Royal responded through a rolling maul, with prop Lemitha Amerasinghe powering over to briefly take the lead. Trinity answered immediately. Winger Dimath Abeypitiya crossed twice in quick succession, while a well-judged cross-kick from Malik found Ammaar Manzil, who gathered cleanly in the corner to extend the lead to 22–12.
Althaf added another try before half-time, his chip-and-chase exposing gaps in the Royal defence. At the break, Trinity held a firm advantage.
The second half saw Trinity maintain the same control. Althaf added two more tries, first reacting quickly to a loose ball, then collecting another cross-kick from Malik. Hamza Abdeen and Manzil further extended the lead, as Trinity’s supporters found their voice in the stands.
Royal added late tries through Hiruka Jayadinu and Akira Yatawara, both converted by Mohamed Simak. Despite these efforts, the result was no longer in doubt.
Trinity closed the match decisively. Thisara Peris gathered a cross-kick and passed to Althaf, who completed his hat-trick and brought the match to a fitting close.
Fifty-eight points. Ten tries. A fifteen-year wait brought to an end.
Full Time: Royal College 26 (4T, 3C) – Trinity College 58 (10T, 4C)
Swisstek Player of the Match: Udan Wijekoon (Trinity College)
Points Breakdown
Royal College 26
Lemitha Amerasinghe 1T, Disas Pathiratne 1T, Hiruka Jayadinu 1T, Akira Yatawara 1T, Mohamed Simak 3C
Trinity College 58
Kevin Weerakoon 1T, Dimath Abeypitiya 2T, Ammaar Manzil 2T, Abdul Malik 2T, Shan Althaf 3T, 3C, Ammar Faizal 1C
