The SLSRFA Under-14 Elite 10-a-Side Rugby Tournament 2026 concluded last weekend with the reigning Trinity College Under-14 outfit being crowned champions. In a thrilling Final that went down to the wire, the spirited Trinity cubs displayed remarkable skill, mental resilience and stamina to overcome a talented Isipathana side 19 – 17, completing a stunning comeback after trailing 17 – 0 at Half Time.
The tournament, which was organised by the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association, spanned over two days at Central Province Sports Complex, Digana and Trinity College Rugby Stadium, Pallekele. It featured 32 elite Rugby-playing schools, and the raw talents, which can be considered the future of Sri Lankan Rugby, competed and performed beyond expectations.
- Group A – St Joseph’s, Zahira, Dharmaraja (Kandy), Nugewela Central
- Group B – D. S. Senanayake, Science, St Benedict’s, Maharagama Central
- Group C – Royal, Ananda, Maliyadeva (Kurunegala), Sri Sumangala (Panadura)
- Group D – Trinity, Kingswood, St Sylvester’s, St. Aloysius (Galle)
- Group E – S. Thomas’, Wariyapola Sri Sumangala (Kandy), Richmond, Carey
- Group F – Isipathana, Mahanama, Prince of Wales, Sri Piyarathana (Padukka)
- Group G – St Peter’s, Thurstan, Vidyartha, Dharmapala (Pannipitiya)
- Group H – Wesley, St Anthony’s, Lumbini, Sri Rahula (Katugastota)
After a thrilling preliminary round Dharmaraja, Science, Ananda, Trinity, S. Thomas’, Isipathana, St. Peter’s, and St. Anthony’s earned their Cup Quarter Finals berths by crowning as the group tops. The runners-up of the respective groups Zahira, D. S. Senanayake, Royal, Kingswood, Wariyapola Sri Sumangala (Kandy), Mahanama, Vidyartha and Wesley competed at the Bowl Quarter Finals. Further, St. Joseph’s, St. Benedict’s, Maliyadeva, St. Aloysius, Richmond, Prince of Wales, Thurstan and Lumbini walked into the Shield Quarter Finals (3rd seeded teams of the respective groups) while other teams returned home after Day 1’s play with the wooden spoon.
During the Cup Quarter Finals, Trinity College, Isipathana College, St. Peter’s College, and Science College posted convincing victories to advance towards the coveted Cup title.
Trinity entered the final brimming with confidence, having established themselves as a formidable force even before the tournament based on their impressive performances. The junior Lions got their campaign off to a flying start, thrashing St. Aloysius College, Galle, 31 – 0 in their opening preliminary-round game. They then showcased their attacking flair by dismantling hometown rivals St. Sylvester’s 59 – 0. In their final pool-stage encounter, Trinity faced their traditional Rugby rivals Kingswood and produced another statement victory, cruising to a commanding 40 – 0 win.
In the Cup Quarter Final, Trinity came under some pressure from a spirited Ananda outfit but held their nerve to secure a hard-fought 14 – 7 victory. In the first Cup Semi Final, Trinity College continued their impressive run, comfortably defeating giant-killers Science College 19 – 0 to book their place in the Cup Final.
On the other hand, Isipathana College enjoyed a similarly dominant run, recording emphatic victories in the preliminary rounds over Siri Piyarathana College (43 – 0), Prince of Wales College (46 – 0) and Mahanama College (26 – 0). In the Cup Quarter Final, the spirited Isipathana brigade steamrolled St. Thomas’ College, Mt. Lavinia, cruising to a convincing 26 – 0 victory. In the Cup Semi Final, Isipathana once again stamped their class with a commanding 24 – 5 win over St. Peter’s College, securing their place in the Final, while further upholding the school’s proud legacy in the sport.
The Final was a true clash of titans, with Trinity, who had amassed 163 points while conceding just seven, taking on Isipathana, who had accumulated 165 points while conceding only five. During the high-stakes Cup Final, the high-riding Trinity College faced a stern test as Isipathana seized firm control of the game from the outset. Isipathana dominated possession and applied tremendous pressure on Trinity’s defence throughout the first half. This relentless pressure created gaps in the Trinity defensive line, which the Isipathana lads repeatedly exploited, posing a constant threat to the home side. By the end of the first half, Isipathana had crossed the whitewash three times to establish a commanding 17 – 0 lead, leaving Trinity under immense pressure.
During the second half, Isipathana’s lack of discipline once again came under scrutiny, eventually handing the hosts an opportunity to fight their way back into the game. An Isipathana player was first sent to the sin bin for a dangerous jersey tackle. Speedster Puneeth Silva capitalised on the extra-man advantage, scoring back-to-back tries to reduce the deficit to 17 – 12. Later, the Isipathana scrum-half was also sin-binned for throwing a punch during a ruck. Ruvin Wickremaratne made the most of the opportunity, scoring an under-the-post try, while the successful conversion handed Trinity the lead for the first time in the game. Although Isipathana fought desperately for a late twist, Trinity’s defence held firm until the final whistle, securing the Cup title for the hosts.
Isipathana College have only themselves to blame for their ill-disciplined play, which ultimately handed the game to Trinity on a platter. Nevertheless, Trinity’s remarkable comeback victory is a testament not only to the talent of their junior players but also to the commitment and investment made by the College in rebuilding its rugby programme, from the grassroots level all the way to the 1st XV outfit.
Further, Ananda College, Royal College and St. Aloysius’ College, Galle won Plate, Bowl and Shield Championships by convincingly beating St. Thomas’ College, Mt. Lavinia, Wesley College and Prince of Wales College respectively. Meanwhile the hero of the final Puneeth Silva of Trinity College emerged as the Player of the Tournament.
Shield Quarter Finals
- St. Joseph’s College 34 – 00 St.Benedict’s College
- St. Aloysius’ College, Galle 19 – 00 Maliyadeva College, Kurunegala
- Prince of Wales College 33 – 00 Richmond College, Galle
- Lumbini College 24 – 00 Thurstan College
Shield Semi Finals
- St. Aloysius’ College, Galle 12 – 07 St. Joseph’s College
- Prince of Wales College 15 – 12 Lumbini College
Bowl Quarter Finals
- Royal College 32 – 10 Kingswood College
- Mahanama College 17 – 00 Sri Sumangala College, Kandy
- Wesley College 19 – 00 Vidyartha College, Kandy
- D. S. Senanayake College 19 – 05 Zahira College
Bowl Semi Finals
- Royal College 17 – 00 D. S. Senanayake College
- Wesley College 19 – 07 Mahanama College
Cup Quarter Finals
- Science College, Mt. Lavinia 15 – 10 Dharmaraja College, Kandy
- Trinity College, Kandy 14 – 7 Ananda College
- Isipathana College 26 – 00 St. Thomas’ College, Mt. Lavinia
- St. Peter’s College 22 – 00 St. Anthony’s College, Katugastota
Plate Semi Finals
- Ananda College 12 – 07 Dharmaraja College, Kandy
- St. Thomas’ College, Mt. Lavinia 07 – 00 St. Anthony’s College, Katugastota
Cup Semi Finals
- Trinity College, Kandy 19 – 00 Science College, Mt. Lavinia
- Isipathana College 24 – 05 St. Peter’s College
Shield Final
St. Aloysius’ College, Galle 19 – 05 Prince of Wales College
Bowl Final
Royal College 07 – 05 Wesley College
Plate Final
Ananda College 22 – 00 St. Thomas’ College, Mt. Lavinia
Cup Final
Trinity College, Kandy 19 – 17 Isipathana College
Player of the Tournament – Puneeth Silva
Victorious Trinity U14 outfit
Victorious Trinity Squad: Dulin Jayakody (Captain), Sharoon Weeraratne, Ashalya Rathnapala, Sensith Kaushalya, Genula Meepegama, Agitha Peiris, Krishnakumar Thimofy, Puneeth Silva, Ruvin Wickremaratne, Nevan Pereira, Renuja Biwathdeniya, Navindu Ranawana, Sayula Kahandawala, Pamuthu Thilakaratne, Hashen Jayawardena, Chenul Dias, Chanel Ranasinghe, and Thishath Mathota, Sarath Madugalle (Head Coach), C. J. Kalugampitiya (Master-in-Charge)
