Clinical Trinity subdue Isipathana in fiery game
With this superior win, Trinity remains as the only unbeaten team in the competition, continuing their impressive run under head coach Fazil Marija. They led 17-5 at halftime and didn’t lose momentum as they marched to their sixth straight victory.
Trinity scored four tries through Hamza Abdeen, Shan Althaf, Munula Yaddehige, and Disal Thomas. Althaf also contributed with three conversions and two penalties, adding 17 points to his team’s tally. This helped Trinity to a commanding 32 points. On the other hand, Isipathana’s points came from two tries by fullback Nimantha Sandeepa, though both conversions were missed, leaving them with 10 points.
Trinity struck early, sending a loud message in the fourth minute. Breaking through a shaky Isipathana defence, flanker Hamza Abdeen finished a powerful move in the left corner after receiving a slick offload. Flyhalf Shan Althaf made no mistake with the conversion, giving Trinity a 7-0 lead.
Althaf extended the advantage with a well-taken 22-metre penalty in the 13th minute to make it 10-0. The Trinity flyhalf then showcased his class with a brilliant attacking move. After Udan Wijekoon placed a smart kick into space. Althaf followed up with a deft chip over the line and dived over for a try. He converted his own try, stretching the lead to 17-0 by the 27th minute.
Isipathana clawed back five points in the 32nd minute through fullback Nimantha Sandeepa, who sprinted in after receiving a sharp offload from winger Sithupa Bometh. But the conversion missed, and Trinity held a solid 17-5 lead at the break.
Isipathana resumed the second half with purpose. Sandeepa again found space and scored his second try in the 39th minute, reducing the deficit to 17-10. However, their momentum was quickly halted when No.8 Shaakib Zumri received a red card for dangerous play in the 41st minute—a huge blow that left the Green Machine a man down at a critical stage.
Trinity pounced on the advantage. Althaf calmly slotted another penalty in the 45th minute to make it 20-10, before winger Munula Yaddehige—one of the top try scorers this season—latched onto a clever dink from Althaf to score an unconverted try in the 55th minute, giving Trinity a 25-10 cushion.
The home crowd erupted in the 66th minute when centre Disal Thomas barged over for Trinity’s fourth and bonus point try under the posts. Althaf, who finished the game with 17 points, converted to bring up the final scoreline of 32-10. His personal tally in the league reached 50 points.
Trinity’s high speed backline, rock solid forwards, and the game management of Althaf proved too much for Isipathana. The Green Machine, despite flashes of brilliance from Sandeepa, simply could not match Trinity’s discipline and flair. With just two more games remaining, Trinity stands on the brink of a league title, showcasing a blend of structure, skill, and spirit that makes them clear favourites.