Defending league champions Trinity College began their 2026 campaign in commanding fashion, easing past Thurstan College 38–08 in the Pre-Quarterfinal of the Dialog Schools Rugby Knockouts 2026 President’s Trophy played at Longdon Place.
Trinity College made a blistering start, needing just three minutes to open the scoring. A Thurstan College handling error was snapped up by Evin Jayasena, allowing the Trinity backs to quickly move play into the 22. After a few well-constructed phases, swift hands across the backline created space for winger Dimath Ambepitiya to dive over in the corner. The conversion was missed, but Trinity led early. (TCK 05-00 TC)
The Lions struck again soon after following a defensive penalty. Their forwards carried strongly towards the Thurstan goal line, with powerful runs from Onija Kodituwakku and prop Misala Perera breaking the defensive line. Quick ball then reached skipper Shan Althaf, whose sharp pass released winger Maleesha Jayaneth to finish out wide, extending Trinity’s lead. (TCK 10-00 TC)
Around the midway point of the half, Prathive Yainne produced a crucial lineout steal for Trinity. Spreading the ball wide, the Trinity backs worked their way deep into Thurstan territory before playmaker Abdul Mukshidh, acting as scrum-half, delivered a precise pass for No. 8 Achintha Jayasena to charge through a gap for the third try. Althaf added the extras. (TCK 17-00 TC)
Trinity’s dominance continued when captain Althaf kicked a penalty to the corner. The forwards secured the lineout and set up a powerful rolling maul that Thurstan could not stop, with lock Prathive Yainne grounding the ball at the back. Althaf converted to push the lead further. (TCK 24-00 TC)
The floodgates truly opened moments later. A Thurstan goal-line dropout was gathered by Mukshidh, who quickly shifted the ball to centre Kevin Weerakoon. Drawing the final defender, he delivered a well-timed pass for Althaf to race under the posts. The skipper converted his own try. (TCK 31-00 TC)
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Trinity capped off a dominant half just before the break. A brilliant counter-ruck forced a turnover, allowing scrum-half Udan Wijekoon to release centre Sadeesha Weerawansha on a powerful run. After a series of carries close to the line and a penalty for offside, Trinity kicked to touch and launched a long lineout throw. Misala Perera gathered and crashed over for the sixth try, with Althaf adding the conversion. Trinity went into halftime firmly in control after a commanding opening 35 minutes.
Half Time: Trinity College 38 (6T, 4C) – Thurstan College 00
The second half told a different story as Thurstan College came out with renewed purpose, relying on a territorial kicking game to push Trinity deep into their own half. Although they made several promising incursions, the Trinity defence held firm and denied them any clear scoring opportunities early on.
After nearly 15 minutes of sustained pressure, Thurstan finally got their first points when they were awarded a penalty for a high tackle. Winger Akeesha Pushpakumara calmly slotted the kick to put Thurstan on the scoreboard. (TCK 31-03 TC)
Thurstan continued to probe the Trinity defence with a patient attacking approach, using their forwards in tight phases to build momentum. With just seven minutes remaining, the Thurstan pack once again drove through multiple phases close to the line before replacement scrum-half Kenula Perera switched the direction of play. The ball was moved quickly to skipper Ahad Sallay, whose sharp step inside opened up space for him to dive over for Thurstan’s only try of the game.
Despite winning the second-half battle, Thurstan had left themselves too much to do after Trinity’s dominant first half. Trinity College ultimately ran out comfortable winners and booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Dialog Schools Rugby Knockouts 2026.
Full Time: Trinity College 38 (6T,4C) – Thurstan College 08 (1T,1P)
Swisstek Player of the Match: Nisith Kumarasinghe (Trinity College)
Points Breakdown
Trinity College 38
Dimath Ambepitiya 1T, Maleesha Jayaneth 1T, Achintha Jayasena 1T, Prathive Yainne 1T, Misala Perera 1T, Shan Althaf 1T,4C
Thurstan College 08
Ahad Sallay 1T, Akeesha Pushpakumara 1P
