Unbeaten Trinity College continued their dream run in the Dialog Schools ‘A’ Division League Rugby Tournament with a powerful 36 points (three goals, three tries) to 19 points (two goals, one try) victory over traditional rivals S. Thomas’ College to lift the prestigious Canon R. S. De Saram Shield in a thrilling second-round clash played at Mount Lavinia yesterday after leading 29-12 at the breather.
With this win, Trinity not only retained their unbeaten record but also secured the top spot in the league standings, stamping their dominance in the ongoing schools rugby season.
The visitors played fast, fearless, and structured rugby, scoring three goals and three tries while the Thomians managed two goals and one try in response.
Trinity wasted no time and struck early in the fourth minute. After a well-executed line-out taken by Evin Jayasekara, flanker Nisith Kumarasinghe powered through to score his second try of the season. Centre Sadeesha Weerawansa added the extras, giving Trinity a 7-0 lead.
The Thomians responded in the eighth minute with a try by Seneshka Liyanagwardena, who dived over mid-right. However, the conversion was missed, keeping Trinity ahead at 7-5.
Flanker Hamza Abdeen then sliced through the Thomian defence with a couple of smart moves and scored under the posts in the 11th minute. Weerawansa again made no mistake with the conversion, extending Trinity’s lead to 14-5.
Trinity’s third try came just three minutes later. A five-man line-out followed by a powerful maul saw Kumarasinghe touch down once again. Weerawansa’s conversion pushed the score to 19-5.
The visitors were not done yet. Fly half Shan Althaf danced through the Thomian defence in the 21st minute to score Trinity’s bonus-point try though the conversion was missed (24-5).
Udan Wijekoon then fooled the Thomian line with a quick step and dive to score Trinity’s fifth try in the 26th minute. Though unconverted, Trinity had raced to a commanding 29-5 lead.
Just before half time, S. Thomas’ Captain and scrum half Venuka Wickramasuriya broke through for a try. Winger Mayanka Dias slotted in a difficult conversion, narrowing the gap to 29-12 as the teams went into the break.
Trinity struck again soon after the restart. After consulting the TV replay, the referee awarded a try in the left corner. Fly half Althaf, with a brilliant angle, converted to push Trinity further ahead to 36-12 by the 43rd minute.
But the Thomians were not giving up. In the 48th minute, centre Zaydaan Akbar found space in a broken Trinity defence and raced through to score. Dias converted once more, bringing the score to 36-19.
Trinity’s number eight Sharayan Sathishkumar received a yellow card in the 61st minute, reducing them to 14 men. However, their defence held firm till the final whistle.
With this excellent 36-19 victory, Trinity College not only lifted the Canon R.S. de Saram Shield but also tightened their grip on the league title chase. Their structured forward play, rapid backline movements, and solid conversions from Weerawansa proved too much for the home side.
Referee: Gihan Yatawara.
