The 2nd out of the 4 times that Trinity and Royal meet for 2026, was worked at the Royal College Sports Complex. This time as a Cup Segment fixture of the Dialog Schools Rugby League, where the lions absolutely hammered the tuskers to win 48-15.
Trinity started the game strongly. Their plan was clear: to play all their rugby in Royal’s half. Trinity got the ball rolling early on with a penalty kick from skipper Shan Althaf. (Trinity 03 – 00 Royal)
- Dominant New Zealand U85kg Outclass Sri Lanka
- Sri Lanka and New Zealand U-85 kg squads revealed for the epic clash
- New Zealand Under 85kg Rugby Team, Set to Make the History
- Photos – New Zealand Rugby Under 85KG tour of Sri Lanka – Match 1
Trinity scored the first try of the game in quick succession. It came through a well-executed rolling maul, with Naheel Jayah getting over the line. Shan Althaf missed the conversion. (Trinity 08 – 00 Royal)
Trinity scored their next three tries through an aspect of the game in which they have been head and shoulders above the rest of the teams in the league: counter-attacking rugby. First, it was Sadeesha Weerawansa. Next came Minula Yaddehige, followed by Abdul Malik, who strolled over the try line.
Sandwiched between those tries was Royal’s only score of the first half, a penalty kick off the boot of playmaker Simak Shafeek.
Half Time – Trinity 29 (4T, 3C, 1P) vs Royal 03 (1P)
The second half was no different. It was all Trinity. Royal were guilty of failing to exit their own half, and Minula Yaddehige capitalized on a loose ball to score. Althaf added the extras from a difficult angle. (Trinity 36 – 03 Royal)
Royal continued to lose the plot. Royal skipper Disas Pathirana failed to bind correctly at a ruck, opening the door for Trinity to steal possession and send Akash Fernando into space for another try — Trinity’s sixth. Althaf added the extras to extend Trinity’s lead to 40 points. (Trinity 43 – 03 Royal)
Then came the try that was the pick of the lot. Fantastic aerial skill from Shan Althaf on the touchline led to a huge line break. Trinity strung together several phases before sending Dimath Ambepitiya over for another try. Althaf missed the conversion, but Trinity had brought up a second-half half-century against Royal in 2026. (Trinity 48 – 03 Royal)
Trinity were in a league of their own and cruising. However, Royal managed to score two tries towards the end of the game, the first coming through replacement forward Senuth Karunawansa.
Trinity were then reduced to 13 men. Evin Jayasena was sent to the sin bin for a high tackle, while Kevin Weerakoon was shown a yellow card for repeated infringements at the breakdown, specifically for holding on to the ball at the ruck.
With the numerical advantage, Royal managed one final score to salvage some respectability, with wing three-quarter Kavan Ekanayake crossing the line.
Full Time – Trinity 48 (7T, 5C, 1P) vs Royal 15 (2T, 1C, 1P)
This closes the second chapter of the four-part tale between Royal and Trinity in 2026. As things stand, it is 2-0 in Trinity’s favour. The teams will meet again in the first leg of the Bradby Shield at the Royal College Sports Complex on 11 July for Chapter Three.
Points Breakdown
Trinity
Naheel Jayah 1T
Sadeesha Weerawansa 1T
Minula Yaddehige 2T
Abdul Malik 1T
Dimath Ambeptiya 1T
Akash Fernando 1T
Shan Althaf 5C, 1P
Royal
Senuth Karunawansa 1T
Kavan Ekanayake 1T
Simak Shafeek 1C, 1P
