Defending champions Trinity College sent out a clear warning to the rest of the league, securing a thumping 43-10 victory over Wesley College in their Dialog Schools Rugby League 2026 Second Round Cup Segment opener worked off at Havelock Park.
The visitors dominated the early exchanges but had to wait nine minutes to break the deadlock. Despite some outstanding defensive work from Wesley Playmaker Mohamed Fawas to prevent an initial score, Trinity came back strongly from a rolling maul. When the maul was halted close to the line, Achintha Jayasena broke away and surged forward before the forwards recycled possession through several patient phases. Jayasena then powered over from close range, with skipper Shan Althaf adding the conversion.(WC 00-07 TCK)
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Trinity struck again soon after. Using two quick phases to draw defenders into the ruck, they created space around the fringes. Scrum-half Udan Wijekoon spotted the gap perfectly and darted through untouched to score beneath the posts, with Althaf converting once more. (WC 00-14 TCK)
The defending champions added a third try just before halftime. Collecting a goal-line dropout, Akash Fernando produced a powerful surge through the heart of the Wesley defence to carry play deep into opposition territory. With the defence retreating, Wijekoon cleverly chipped the ball ahead into a contested area. Wesley failed to secure possession, and the loose ball bounced kindly for flanker Nisith Kumarasinghe, who gathered and raced away to score Trinity’s third try of the afternoon.
Half Time: Wesley College 00 – Trinity College 19 (3T,2C)
Trinity College flew out of the blocks in the second half, executing a flawless move from a scrum near the 40-meter mark. With the Trinity backline aligned perfectly and running precision lines, Wijekoon acted as the first receiver before shifting the ball to Sadeesa Weerawansha. Weerawansha delivered a well-timed, hanging pass to Abdul Malik, whose quick hands exploited the space and freed up Skipper Shan Althaf. Althaf made a blistering burst toward the try line, drawing in several defenders before delivering a brilliant offload to Minula Yaddehige, who barged through a couple of tackles to score in the corner. Althaf then added the extra points with a superb conversion from the touchline. (WC 00-26 TCK)
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As the skies opened up heavily, both teams shifted to a tactical kicking game. A loose clearance kick from Wesley—left entirely without chasers—was safely collected by the earlier try-scorer, Yaddehige. Despite the torrential rain, Yaddehige opted to run, slicing clean through the Wesley defense before pulling off a timely offload to his skipper. Althaf coasted in uncontested to dot down for the visitors. (WC 00-31 TCK)
The hosts finally struck back in the 54th minute courtesy of a brilliant rolling maul. Following a spot-on lineout throw from Keshara Rahul, the Wesley forwards unified to drive the maul relentlessly over the line, allowing Liam Onasiz to snipe over from the back to open their account. (WC 05-31 TCK)
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Trinity responded almost immediately with a trademark No. 8 break from a scrum inside the red zone. Achintha Jayasena burst off the back, powering through a towering run past three defenders to score a brilliant individual try. Amher Faizal added the conversion to further extend the visitors’ lead. (WC 05-38 TCK)
Wesley managed to claw back a consolation try when Shan Althaf collected a clearance kick from Sharfaan Wadood. Althaf attempted a subtle step to link up with his playmaker, Abdul Malik, but his pass was brilliantly intercepted by Wesley winger Prathana Rodrigo. Rodrigo dashed 55 meters untouched to score beneath the posts. (WC 10-38 TCK)
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But Trinity would have the final say. In the dying moments of the game, the Trinity forwards piled on multiple phases of heavy pressure before the unstoppable No. 8, Achintha Jayasena, finished the move with a powerful carry. The try completed a magnificent hat-trick for Jayasena and sealed a comprehensive victory for the defending champions.
Full Time: Wesley College 10 (2T) – Trinity College 43 (7T,4C)
Swisstek Player of the Match: Achintha Jayasena (Trinity College)
Points Breakdown
Wesley College 10
Liam Onasiz 1T, Prathana Rodrigo 1T
Trinity College 43
Achintha Jayasena 3T, Udan Wijekoon 1T, Nisith Kumarasinghe 1T, Minula Yaddehige 1T, Shan Althaf 1T,3C, Amher Faizal 1C
