Trinity’s rampage seals Knockout glory over Royal
Skipper and fullback Shan Althaf claimed majority of honours in Trinity’s 10-try and 32-point win, which records as the highest total recorded by a winning side in a President’s Trophy final. He completed a hat-trick of tries and put over three out of the four conversions recorded, while his team-mates scrumhalf Udan Wijekoon, who was named the player of the final, and flyhalf Abdul Malik made the difference, stealing the game from Royal’s clutches.
Skipper Shan Althaf scored a hat-trick for Trinity - Pix by Eshan Fernando
Royal, on the other hand, despite the tiring individual brilliance of skipper and No.8 Disas Pathirana and fullback Simak Shafeek, managed to score from four tries and three conversions.
Trinity, the current title holders of Dialog Schools League, made a startling beginning with a running try from centre Kevin Weerakoon in the sixth minute to gain an early 5-0 lead, but powered by their trademark driving maul Royal responded aptly within four minutes. Loose-head prop Lemitha Amarasinghe took the honour of bracing the try as Shafeek’s conversion put Royal in the lead by 7-5.
The lead, however would be a three-minute delight Royal enjoyed through the entire game with winger Dimath Ambeypitiya going over twice, in the 13th and 17th minutes, in similar fashion as Trinity gradually changed the composure of the match from a forward’s battle to open play. With Althaf putting over one out of three attempts, Trinity regained the lead by 17-7.
Royal unleashed their usual tranquility to make a perfect response in the 19th minute through their trademark move, the rolling maul, as skipper Pathirana took the honour to touch down an unconverted try and trail by 17-12. But what followed were surprising moves from Trinity that took the Royal unit. With Wijekoon’s crafty chip kick, Trinity found a breakthrough in the 28th minute to have winger Ammaar Manzil touch down for an unconverted try, followed by another chip kick by skipper Althaf that found flyhalf Malik completing another stunner in the 30th minute. With five tries under their belt against two, Trinity led the halftime by 27-12.
The jubilant Trinity College side sent alarming statement ahead of the League tournament
Upon resumption skipper Althaf found himself under the spotlight, contributing to two brilliant chip-kick collections in the 38th and 43rd minutes to have the Royalists in the guessing with a huge lead of 39-12, with a conversion added. With Trinity continuing to enjoy their newfound secret of success, flanker Hamza Abdeen touched down in the 48th minute, as Althaf added his third conversion from eight attempts to see them gain a commanding 46-12 lead.
Royal made a blunder in the immediate restart, leaving the gates open to have Trinity defenders collect the ball and run all the way to have winger Manzil tough down for his second try of the game in the very next minute with the lead extended to 51-12.
Trinity’s decision to empty their bench, opened Royal’s chances of retaliating with 15 minutes left on the clock. It eventually paid off with a hard-fought breach of Trinity’s defence in the 60th minute after Royal opted to change their approach and adopt a running game to give centre Hiruka Jayanidu the opportunity to touch down. With Shafeek’s conversion, they cut down the deficit to 51-19, and managed to bring down Trinity to 14 men following the sending off of lock Abdeen for a yellow card offence. With that advantage, Royal continued their onslaught with their forwards, which eventually saw hooker Methika Yatawara touching down in the 66th minute. With replacement scrumhalf Liyanage taking over the kicking duties to make a successful conversion, Royal cut down the margin to 51-26 and put up a respectable total.
But it was not all over for Trinity, as they made a final attempt with another chip kick from Malik, which gave skipper Althaf the opportunity to touch down in the final move of the game. With replacement centre Faizal’s conversion, Trinity made a perfect end to their campaign and lift the Dialog Knockout title with a resounding 58-26 win.