Trinity College ran riot at Sugathadasa Stadium, tearing past Royal College 58-26 with a ten-try blitz to clinch the Dialog Schools Rugby Knockouts 2026 President’s Trophy and end a 15-year title drought.

In a final dripping with history and rivalry, Trinity struck early and never loosened their grip, turning the contest into a one-sided procession after a brief Royal resistance.

Royal’s discipline wavered from the outset and Trinity pounced. After forcing early penalties, they worked the ball through the hands with purpose before centre Kevin Weerakoon finished in the corner, setting the tone for what followed.

Royal hit back swiftly through their tried-and-tested driving maul, prop Lemitha Amerasinghe crashing over with Mohamed Simak converting to edge them ahead. But it was a fleeting lead.

Trinity’s response was clinical. A well-orchestrated lineout move released Sadeesha Weerawansa and slick handling sent Dimath Abeypitiya over in the corner, skipper Shan Althaf adding the extras. Moments later, Trinity struck again, stretching Royal’s defence before Abeypitiya dotted down for his second.

Royal stayed in touch through another muscular maul, skipper Disas Pathirana finishing at the tail, but Trinity’s backline carried a sharper edge. Abdul Malik’s deft cross-kick found Ammaar Manzil, who plucked the ball out of the air to score, before Malik himself rounded off a flowing move just before the break.

At half-time, Trinity led 27-12 and Royal were already chasing shadows.

If there was any hope of a Royal revival, Trinity extinguished it immediately after the restart. Althaf pounced on a loose ball from a clever kick to extend the lead, before finishing another well-weighted cross-kick moments later to put the result beyond doubt.

With Malik pulling the strings, Trinity’s attack cut through at will. Hamza Abdeen chased down a grubber to score and Manzil capped a sweeping move after sharp interplay with Evin Jayasena and Thisara Paris as the scoreboard ticked relentlessly.

Royal managed a late rally, Hiruka Jayadinu and Akira Yatawara crossing for consolation tries with Simak converting both, but it barely dented Trinity’s dominance.

Fittingly, it was Althaf who had the final word. Completing his hat-trick after another cross-kick was gathered and recycled, the Trinity skipper sealed a commanding victory and with it, a long-awaited return to the top.

by Carlos Van de Berg