Trinity lifts Dialog Schools Rugby League after nearly four decades

Peterites gatecrash Lions’ party

The victorious Trinity College rugby outfit​

Dr. Romesh Ranawana, Group Chief Analytics and AI Officer, Dialog Axiata PLC (centre), handing over the Dialog Schools Rugby League Cup Championship Trophy with Harsha Samaranayake, Vice President - Group Marketing, Dialog Axiata PLC (left), and Kamal Ariyasinghe, President, SLSRFA, and Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Education, to the winning captain, Usman Safraz.​

By Shamseer Jaleel at Pallekele

Defending league champions St. Peter’s College delivered a stunning performance to halt Trinity College’s unbeaten streak in the Dialog Schools Under-19 Rugby League 2025, edging out the high-flying Lions by 22 points (3 tries, 2 conversions, 1 penalty) to 20 points (1 try, 1 penalty try, 1 conversion, 2 penalties) in a tense encounter at the Pallekele Rugby Stadium yesterday.
At the short breather, Trinity led 10-5.
Though Trinity lost, they claimed the League after a 38-year wait.
The much-anticipated clash, which also doubled as the battle for the Deshamanya Dennis Perera Trophy, lived up to its billing with both sides producing top-quality rugby. Trinity, who had already secured the league title, looked determined to complete their campaign with a perfect record. The Lions started well, applying early pressure and capitalising on territory to take a 10-5 lead at the short breather.
However, the Peterites, who have a proud tradition of thriving under pressure, regrouped at halftime. Their forwards began to assert dominance at the breakdown, while the backline showed cohesion in attack, breaching the Trinity defence with well-constructed moves. St. Peter’s ran in three tries, two of which were converted, and added a crucial penalty to edge ahead in the closing stages. They continued as the most successful visiting team at Pallekele, spoiling not only the Lions’ party but also the unbeaten run as well. Lions held the lead till late by 20-19, but a number of repeated mistakes cost them the game when the lads from Bambalapitiya put over a penalty in the dying stages of the game.
Vishenka Silva, Ashaz Akram and Emith Jayaweera played well for the visitors, while for the home team, Manusha Silva, Akash Fernando, Nisith Kumarasinghe, Sadeesha Weerawansa and skipper Usmaan Safraz played their hearts out.
Sithila Nimsara (2) and Ashaz Akram scored the Peterite tries, with Emith Jayaweera converting 2 of them and putting over a penalty.
For the home team, Shan Althaf scored the try, conversion and two penalties. Referee: Kelum Sandaruwan