Trinity College have been crowned 2026 Dialog Schools Rugby League champions after completing an unbeaten campaign, securing the league title with nine consecutive victories. The achievement reflects months of commitment from the players, coaches and support staff, as the Lions combined disciplined defence with clinical attack to finish the season without defeat.
Across 630 minutes of rugby and ten trips to Colombo, Trinity remained focused on their objective. Nine matches, nine victories, and the goal achieved.
The campaign began in commanding fashion during the Group 1A First Round. Trinity recorded convincing victories over
- Lumbini College (63-3)
- St. Anthony’s College, Kandy (65-3)
- Sri Sumangala College (39-10)
- D. S. Senanayake College (41-10)
- Isipathana College (36-12).
Five wins from five matches secured an unbeaten passage into the Super Round and established the momentum that carried the team through the remainder of the competition.
The Super Round opened on 5 June at Havelock Park against Wesley College. Trinity continued their impressive form with a commanding 43-10 victory, making an immediate statement in the championship phase of the tournament. Achintha Jayasena opened the scoring after breaking away from a rolling maul before completing an excellent hat-trick, as Trinity controlled the match from the opening whistle.
The following week brought one of the season’s most anticipated fixtures, the Tuckers Clash against Royal College. Trinity’s defensive discipline denied Royal the opportunity to establish any rhythm, while the visitors made the most of every scoring chance. An early penalty set the tone before Abdul Malik, Mindula Yaddehige, Akash Fernando and Dimanth Ambepitiya crossed the whitewash to secure a convincing 48-15 victory in front of a packed Royal College Sports Complex.
The third Super Round fixture against Zahira College proved to be Trinity’s sternest examination of the campaign. With both teams entering the match unbeaten, the league title effectively rested on the outcome. Zahira struck first through Shaifullah Zulfikar, but Achintha Jayasena responded with two crucial tries to restore Trinity’s advantage. Although the contest remained evenly balanced during the opening stages, Trinity found another level in the second half. Captain Shan Althaf controlled proceedings with an outstanding 40-metre penalty before producing a superb individual try, while continuing his flawless goal-kicking display. Zahira fought back through Ahamed Arafath, Muzil Samath and Basith Feroze, but Trinity seized control during a decisive ten-minute spell. The defining moment came when Akash Fernando gathered a well-placed box kick to score a crucial try, helping the Lions secure a memorable victory.
The final challenge came on 27 June against St. Peter’s College. With the championship within reach, Trinity delivered another composed and disciplined performance to record a 20-7 victory and complete the season unbeaten. Hooker Akila Fernando opened the scoring before Shan Althaf added the conversion and later extended the lead with a penalty. A dominant rolling maul then created the platform for Achintha Jayasena to score Trinity’s second try, stretching the advantage to 17-0. Although St. Peter’s responded late through Ashaz Akram, Trinity remained firmly in control throughout the closing stages. Althaf’s second penalty sealed both the victory and the league title.
The triumph not only secured the Dialog Schools Rugby League championship but also completed a remarkable double alongside the Schools President Trophy Knockout Championship. More importantly, it reflected the consistency, resilience and teamwork that defined Trinity’s campaign from the opening match to the final whistle.
The College also acknowledges the unwavering support shown throughout the season. From those who travelled to Colombo each week to cheer from the stands to the many supporters who followed every match and encouraged the team online, that support played an important role in the team’s success.
As Trinity celebrates another memorable achievement in its rugby history, attention now turns to the season’s most anticipated encounter.
The league title has returned to Trinity.
Now, the countdown to the Bradby Shield begins.
Reviewed by Rehan Anandakumar (Web Content Team)
