Time for Trinity to settle old scores against Peterites

By Shamseer Jaleel in Kandy

Trinity College, led by Safraz Usmaan have already etched their name in history by clinching the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2025 title but the Lions aren’t done yet. 

With an unblemished record so far, they now have their sights set on a perfect season and Sunday’s clash against St Peter’s College at the Trinity College Rugby Stadium, Pallekelle, will be their final challenge in the League this year.

The Lions have not only remained unbeaten, but they have also played an exciting brand of open, attacking rugby delighting their loyal supporters and neutrals alike. Their wins came in style against Sumangala, Vidyartha, S. Thomas’, Royal, St. Joseph’s, Thurstan, Isipathana and Wesley establishing them as the most complete team this year.

Playing at their fortress in Pallekele, Trinity have been near invincible. Their home following has acted as the 16th man, generating an electrifying atmosphere that spurred the team to peak performance week after week. 

However, their final opponents the Peterites are not to be taken lightly.

The Peterites come in as underdogs but they have the firepower and pedigree to spring a surprise. Despite a mixed season where they fell to Wesley, S Thomas’ and Royal, they notched an important win over Isipathana. 

Under the mentorship of head coach Sanath Martis and the leadership of Vishenka Perera who led the Sri Lanka U-18 team boys last year, the Peterites cannot be taken lightly tactically and technically. 

Shenuka Perera and Emith Jayaweera are the other two stand-out players for the Bamba outfit. Their start was not perfect but they recovered well but not to their usual standards as they have won the league in tandem so many years.

Importantly, they’ve had an impressive track record in League encounters at Pallekele and making them one of the few visiting teams who thrive at this venue. 

Adding further spice to the encounter is the battle for the Major General Dennis Perera Trophy that is at stake. 

Trinity last won it in 2014, while St. Peter’s dominated the rivalry in recent years, winning it from 2015 to 2019 and again in 2023 and 2024. The storied fixture between these two great institutions started in 1933.

Trinity holds the edge in the series with 53 wins compared to 22 for the Peterites while six ended in draws. In the recent past the Bambalapitiya outfit has done really well to get over the Lions at home and away.

The referee will be Kelum Sandaruwan