Trinity College and Zahira College locked horns in a Quarterfinal fixture in the Dialog Schools Knockout Championship 2026. The boys from Kandy came from behind to win the game 32-23.
The game was off to a flier. Zahira College looked sharp and fierce. They took no second invitation to score a try in the first two minutes through scrum half Afham Abdeen. Basith Feroz missed an easy conversion. (Trinity 00 – 05 Zahira)
Trinity responded right away with a try of their own. Some good tactical kicking from them, and a few hits from the forwards took Achintha Jayasena over the line. The kick from the skipper Shan Althaf was not successful. (Trinity 05 – 05 Zahira)
Moments later Trinity were reduced to 14 men, as Dimath Ambepitiya was sent off for a high shot. Zahira took the points on offer from a penalty that followed later on and regained the lead through Hakeem Chunchi. (Trinity 05 – 08 Zahira)
It took some time for the next points to come, but Trinity’s penalty count was at an all time high. Basith Feroz opted for the 3-points off one of them, and increased their lead. (Trinity 05 – 11 Zahira)
Trinity replied right away. It was their forwards this time who set up a driving maul that traveled at rapid pace to allow Nisith Kumarasinghe to dive over. Althaf didn’t hit his mark with the conversion. (Trinity 10 – 11 Zahira)
The game went long up until Half time with no score, as Zahira took a slender lead into the sheds.
Half Time – Trinity College 10 (2T) vs Zahira College 11 (1T, 2P)
Zahira started the second half off, the same were they started the first. Some brilliant continuity of play from Zahira, made space out wide for Basith Feroz to score a try. The conversion was no good. (Trinity 10 – 16 Zahira)
Zahira slowly started drifting away from the game after this score. The number of penalties they gave away started increasing as Trinity pounced on the chances. Shan Althaf scored a try, after a well worked penalty move. The kick was good too from the skipper, as Trinity took the lead for the first time in the game. (Trinity 17 – 16 Zahira)
Trinity seemed to find their groove. Territory was the name of the game. As they scored in quick succession. One try through a maul, where Vihanga Indusara scored and one through a penalty from the captain. (Trinity 25 – 16 Zahira)
The next try from Trinity was pure class. A good scrum move, saw Abdul Malik scamper away to score under the sticks. Althaf knocked over the 2 pointer. (Trinity 32 – 16 Zahira)
Despite being on the back foot. Zahira weren’t done yet. With a few Trinity players in the bin, they looked to mount a comeback.
However their last minute try from their replacement forward Zain Hasan was a little too late to win them the game.
Full Time – Trinity 32 (5T, 2C, 1P) vs Zahira College 23 (3T, 1C, 2P)
Points Breakdown
- Trinity College
- Achintha Jayasena 1T
- Nisith Kumarasinghe 1T
- Vihanga Indusara 1T
- Abdul Malik 1T
- Shan Althaf 1T 2C 1P
- Zahira College
- Afham Abdeen 1T
- Zain Hasan 1T
- Hakeem Chunchi 1P
- Basith Feroz 1T 1P 1C
Swisstek Perfect Player of the Match – Nisith Kumarasinghe (TCK)
