Going into the final two weeks of the schools rugby league the defending Champions Isipathana College will take on Trinity College on the 13th Saturday at Pallekale rugby stadium, Kandy.
This would be the 34th Rugby encounter which would be played between both the schools. Taking a look at the history between these two great rugby playing institutions – The first ever league encounter was played in the year 1966 and Trinity captained by Glen Vanlanberg defeated Isipathana captained by Sunil Wickramasuriya by 26 points to 03 at Bogambara, and Athula Wickremasinghe scored the only try for Isipathana.
Unfortunately thereafter the annual Isipathana – Trinity fixture was not continued for some time. In year 1978 Isipathana had the great opportunity of playing Trinity in the “Centenary Trophy” semi-finals which was organized by the Sri Lanka rugby board to celebrate 100 years of rugby in Sri Lanka and Isipathana captained by M.P.F Sallay (Late) defeated the Trinity lions 21 points (03 goals, 01 Penalty) to 06 (02 Penalties) at Longdon place. At the final whistle, the picturesque Longdon place ground erupted with sheer joy as the Isipathana camp celebrated the win. After 12 long years, they finally got the better of Trinity College,and 15 rugby players wearing the Green Jersey were not prepared to let this opportunity pass.
The annual Isipathana – Trinity fixture started in the year 1981. Trinity led by Ravi Bandaranayake defeated Isipathana by 09 points to 06. In the following year Isipathana led by Dilroy Fernando defeated Trinity by 07 points to 03 and that was the first league victory recorded against Trinity. In the 33 league matched played so far, Isipathana leads the series with 16 wins to Trinities 14 wins. and 03 matches played in 1990, 1992 & 1993 have ended in draws. In 1991 & 2000 the match was not played.
Below are the results of the 33 league matches played between both the institutions.
1966 – Trinity beat Isipathana 29 points to 03
1981 – Trinity beat Isipathana 09 points to 06
1982 – Isipathana beat Trinity 07 points to 03
1983 – Trinity beat Isipathana 06 points to 04
1984 – Isipathana beat Trinity 08 points to 06
1985 – Trinity beat Isipathana 17 points to 03
1986 – Isipathana beat Trinity 11 points to 06
1987 – Trinity beat Isipathana 12 points to 03
1988 – Isipathana beat Trinity 15 nil
1989 – Trinity beat Isipathana 10 nil
1990 – Isipathana vs Trinity – Draw 04 All
1991 – Fixture not played
1992 – Isipathana vs Trinity – Draw 13 All
1993 – Isipathana vs Trinity – Draw 05 All
1994 – Trinity beat Isipathana 12 points to 10
1995 – Isipathana beat Trinity 15 points to 08
1996 – Isipathana beat Trinity 20 points to 13
1997 – Isipathana beat Trinity 29 nil
1998 – Isipathana beat Trinity 24 nil
1999 – Isipathana beat Trinity 25 points to 22
2000 – Fixture not played
2001 – Trinity beat Isipathana 06 points to 03
2002 – Isipathana beat Trinity 43 points to 08 (Highest score in the series)
2003 – Isipathana beat Trinity 26 points to 17
2004 – Trinity beat Isipathana 25 points to 07
2005 – Isipathana beat Trinity 06 points to 05
2006 – Trinity beat Isipathana 17 points to 13
2007 – Isipathana beat Trinity 18 points to 10
2008 – Trinity beat Isipathana 29 points to 10
2009 – Trinity beat Isipathana 27 points to 17
2010 – Trinity beat Isipathana 28 points to 20
2011 – Isipathana beat Trinity 23 points to 18
2012 – Trinity beat Isipathana 23 points to 20
2013 – Isipathana beat Trinity 20 points to 17
2014 – Isipathana beat Trinity 21 points to 17
Below are the results of the Centenary Trophy & the Premadasa (Presidents trophy) played between Isipathana & Trinity.
Centenary Trophy
1978 – Isipathana beat Trinity 21 points to 06 in the Semi Finals
Premadasa Trophy
1985 – Isipathana beat Trinity 06 points to 03 in the Semi finals
1986 – Isipathana beat Trinity 11 points to 03 in the Semi finals
1987 – Trinity beat Isipathana 12 points to 03 in the Finals
1993 – Trinity beat Isipathana 17 points to 10 in the Finals
Presidents’ Trophy (Former Premadasa Trophy)
2011 – Trinity beat Isipathana 21 points to 10 in the Finals
2012 – Isipathana beat Trinity 21 points to 16 in the Finals
