Trinity win the League, St. Peter’s win the hearts

Dialog Schools Rugby League 2025

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Dialog Schools Rugby League 2025

It was truly a game that was worthy of a Final, when St. Peter’s travelled up the hills to Pallekele to face the newly crowned League Champions Trinity College for the last fixture of the Dialog School Rugby League 2025. Regardless of the result, Trinity had already secured the title, but the Peterites spoiled the party momentarily in Kandy with a 22-20 victory.

St. Peter’s College looked on point and focused right from the kick off. They looked menacing with ball in hand, and their forwards were breaking the gain line almost every time they carried. It only took 5 minutes for Revon Perera to pick the ball up and go over for the first try of the game. Although the kick went astray, St. Peter’s looked sharp. (Trinity 00 – 05 St. Peter’s)

The game meandered along for around 20 minutes with no team getting on the score board. Trinity were a bit off colour in attack, and didn’t look as fluent with ball in hand. The Peterites were threatening in attack, but the good ruck work of Trinity halted their momentum.

An offside penalty given away by St. Peter’s opened the gates for Trinity to get their first points through the boot of Shan Althaf. (Trinity 03 – 05 St. Peter’s)

Trinity may have had a half to forget, but on the brink of Half Time, Trinity found some life. A clean break from Akash Fernando and some quick thinking from Udan Wijekoon helped Shan Althaf go over for Trinity’s first try. Althaf kicked over the extras to put Trinity in the lead for the first time in the game.

Half Time: Trinity 10 (1T, 1C, 1P) vs St. Peters 05 (1T)

After the turnaround, Trinity seemed to be getting back into their rhythm. After a few phases of play and with the try line at their mercy, St. Peter’s were guilty of putting in a high shot on a Trinity player. The Referees used the available technology and showed the Peterite Cheval Abeygunawardene a yellow card, and awarded Trinity a Penalty Try. (Trinity 17 – 05 St. Peter’s)

With their noses in front, the Trinity Skipper put in a fantastic kick chase, and won Trinity a penalty by forcing the Peterites to hold the ball on at ruck time. Shan Althaf opted for the posts, and knocked in right through to extend Trinity’s lead. (Trinity 20 – 05 St. Peter’s)

With the biggest lead Trinity had in the game, Trinity looked in control. All they had to do was close this game out and become the unbeaten League Champs. However, the Bamba Brigade had other ideas.

St. Peter’s started their surge. Shenuka Perera looked threatening, but it was the other Perera, Revone, who scored the next try for the Peterites. Once again, some good forward play got them the score. Emith Jayaweera, who was marshaling his troops well from Number 10, slotted over the extras. (Trinity 20 – 12 St. Peter’s)

Arguably the moment that changed the game for Trinity was when a high shot from Shrayan Satheeshkumar, made direct head on head contact. The Referee had no other choice but to show the Trinity No. 8 a red card. Trinity had to play the remainder of the game with 14 men.

St. Peter’s were the next to get over the try line. This time, it was their big bulky Prop forward Ashaz Akram. They used the extra man advantage to good effect. The successful conversion from Jayaweera, got the Peterites within 1 point. (Trinity 20 – 19 St. Peter’s)

It was going down to the wire, and with the way the game was going it seemed like it was always going to go down to the wire. St. Peter’s were hot on attack and Trinity had to be disciplined in defense. Unfortunately for the Champs, they were guilty of giving away too many penalties. The Peterites pointed at the sticks. Jayaweera stood up and bumped over to get St. Peter’s the lead back.

Everyone at Pallekele was on the edge of their seats. With 1 minute to go, St. Peter’s had to close the game out to spoil the Kandyan party, and so they did! The long whistle blew as St. Peter’s College thumped the League Champions Trinity College.

Full Time – Trinity College 20 (2T, 3C, 2P) vs St. Peter’s College 22 (3T, 2C, 1P)

  • Swisstek Perfect Player of the Match – Emith Jayaweera (SPC)

Points Breakdown

Trinity

Shan Althaf – 1T, 1C, 2P

Penalty Try

 

St. Peter’s

Revon Perera – 2T

Ashaz Akram – 1T

Emith Jayaweera – 2C, 1P

Well, it was a game for the ages. Trinity may have lost the game, but it is a nine week-long tournament for a reason. Champions aren’t crowned in just a week, and Trinity certainly were the best team this year.

Best Player

For his efforts throughout the season, Trinity’s Nisith Kumarasinghe was adjudged the Most Valuable Player of the Tournament.

He was an absolute work horse for Trinity. His efforts mostly go unnoticed, but he really did make a huge impact and gave his 100% when on the park.

A massive congratulations to the boys wearing red, gold and blue, the entire coaching staff, the administration and everyone involved.

A day that has been in the making for 38 long years, finally happened.

Trinity are the Dialog Schools Rugby League Champions for the year 2025.