Under relentless conditions at the famous Nittawela Grounds, the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2026 delivered a stark reality check to the newly dubbed “dark horses” of Kandy. In a highly anticipated Round 1 clash between the two Kandyan powerhouses, Trinity College showcased exactly why they are considered the royalty of the hill capital, posting a dominant and relentless victory over a gutsy but outmatched Sri Sumangala College side.
Sumangala started proceedings with a cautious kick-off under a light drizzle, with the greasy conditions at Nittawela expected to play a major role in the outcome of the game. Trinity attempted an early 50-22 but made a mess of it by crossing the dead-ball line, handing their rivals an attacking opportunity deep inside Trinity territory. Soon after, Trinity were penalised for a stiff-arm tackle, and while playing under advantage, Sumangala attempted a drop goal which narrowly missed the right upright by a whisker. Sumangala then opted for a scrum, but Trinity produced a valiant defensive effort to deny the scoring opportunity.
After 10 minutes of play, Trinity launched a ruthless attack deep inside Sumangala territory. Following multiple penalties conceded by Sumangala, Trinity marched into the red zone and unleashed their powerful forwards with a series of heavy carries. Suddenly, Trinity tapped quickly after receiving a line-offside penalty, and No. 8 Achintha Jayasena drew first blood by bulldozing his way through the defence with support from his latcher, Udan Wijekoon. Trinity place-kicker Amher Faizal made no mistake with the conversion to extend the lead. (TC 07 – 00 SC)
Sumangala then made another costly error by knocking the ball on near their own 22-metre mark, offering Trinity an attacking opportunity on a silver platter. The Trinity three-quarters, who had been relatively quiet up to that point, suddenly burst into life and launched a fierce attack. As the ball moved swiftly from left to right, Vihanga Indusara spotted a gap in the defence and exploited it brilliantly with an excellent running angle before sliding over the whitewash on the greasy surface. Faizal added the extras with another superb conversion. (TC 14 – 00 SC)
After a heated passage of play, referee Ishanka sent Kevin Weerakoon to the sin bin for dangerous play after wrapping his arm around an opponent’s neck while attempting to clear a ruck. Despite being reduced to 14 men, Trinity continued to stick to their attacking game plan.
On the brink of halftime, Trinity skipper Shan Althaf collected a clearance kick in midfield and ignited another attack. He beat the first tackler with a clever sidestep before slicing through five defenders and executing a delicate chip kick ahead. Although Sumangala fullback Pasindu Samarakoon did well to reach the ball first inside the in-goal area, an awkward bounce proved costly as it landed perfectly for the chasing Udan Wijekoon, who grounded Trinity’s third try with ease. (TC 19 – 00 SC)
The conversion drifted astray, and moments later the referee blew for halftime as Trinity walked to the sheds with a commanding advantage.
Halftime: Trinity College, Kandy 19 (3T, 2C) – 00 Wariyapola Sri Sumangala College, Kandy
Trinity resumed the second half exactly where they had left off, launching another well-constructed attack through a powerful maul. Sumangala then conceded a needless penalty for lifting a Trinity player during the maul. From the resulting lineout five metres out, Trinity’s forwards surged over once again, with prop Naheel Jayah crashing over near the left corner flag for the bonus-point try. (TC 24 – 00 SC)
Moments later, Sumangala flanker Shewantha Madushanaka committed a highly dangerous challenge when he charged into Nisith Kumarasinghe while the Trinity player was airborne contesting a lineout. Kumarasinghe landed awkwardly on his head, yet surprisingly the referee deemed the offence worthy of only a yellow card. Trinity kicked for touch and earned another five-metre lineout. Opting for a shortened lineout, they immediately formed a driving maul, and Sumangala once again had no answer to the immense pressure applied by the Trinity forwards. Fittingly, Kumarasinghe himself crossed for another try right in front of the Kandy SC clubhouse. (TC 29 – 00 SC)
Soon after, the referee spotted a punch from Trinity’s Akila Fernando and promptly sent him to the sin bin. Following a brief lull in scoring, Sumangala attempted a long pass through midfield, but the alert Minula Yaddehige intercepted brilliantly and sprinted towards the whitewash. Although Samarakoon chased him down just short of the line, Trinity recycled possession quickly and crossed over one phase later through Matheesha Jayasinghe. After a string of missed conversion attempts, skipper Shan Althaf took over the kicking duties, but his effort struck the upright and bounced away. (TC 34 – 00 SC)
In the dying stages of the game, Trinity produced another outstanding scrum effort deep inside Sumangala territory to win a crucial turnover. From there, the Lions attacked relentlessly once more. The ball was shifted to Maleesha Jayaneth, who used a clever running angle to evade several defenders. Even after being caught, he powered forward with an impressive leg drive before spinning out of the tackle to dot down over the whitewash. Trinity failed to add the conversion, highlighting an area still requiring improvement despite an otherwise outstanding display. (TC 39 – 00 SC)
By the time the final whistle sounded, the scoreline perfectly reflected Trinity’s absolute dominance. It was a powerful statement of intent from the Lions. In a league where early momentum is crucial, Trinity have already sent a strong warning to the rest of the competition. As for the boys from Nittawela, they can look back on a ruthless and near-flawless performance in difficult conditions. The road to the 2026 title once again appears to run straight through Kandy.
Fulltime: Trinity College – 39 (07 T, 2 C) – 00 – Wariyapola Sri Sumanagala College, Kandy
- Swisstek Perfect Player of the Match: Udan Wijekoon (Trinity College)
Points Breakdown
Trinity College, Kandy – 39
Achintha Jayasena 1T, Vihanga Indusara 1T, Udan Wijekoon 1T, Naheel Jayah 1T, Nisith Kumarasinghe 1T, Faizal Amher 2C, Matheesha Jayasinghe 1T, Maleeesha Jayaneth 1T,
Wariyapola Sri Sumanagala College, Kandy – 00
Match Referee – Ishanka Abeykoon
