Maharagama Central clinch Chairman’s Trophy in a nailbiter
View(s):Maharagama Central College clinched the Chairman’s Trophy of the Dialog Schools Knockout Rugby Championship 2026, snatching thrilling 20-19 victory against Madina National School, Madawala in the exciting final played at the Royal College Sports Complex. Maintaining a close 10-5 lead by halftime, Maharagama Central went on to record a thrilling one-point win after posting four unconverted tries, against Madina College’s three tries and two conversions, and holding the edge up until the final whistle.
After a closely battles start, where both teams played up to their potential, Maharagama Central drew first blood through their prop Akila Akash, who broke through the Madina defence to touch down and gain an early 5-0 lead by the 15th minute. Ten minutes later the Maharagama side created an opening by forcing Madina NS defence to scatter, through which centre Vihanga Sathruwan cut across and brace a try to make it 10-0. Just before halftime, no sooner Maharagama Central were cut down to 14 men, Madina NS capitalised the situation to post a try from Mohamed Rahmy, who helped his side cut down the deficit to 10-5 at the break.
Chairman's Trophy winners Maharagama Central College
Soon after the resumption Maharagama Central created an opening that would spread the Madina NS defence in tatters, which created the opportunity for prop Akila Akash to crash down for his second try of the game. Despite a failed conversion, Maharagama Central expanded the lead to 15-5. They continued with the onslaught and played tactfully to create another opening to see centre Vihanga Sathruwan to touch down for the second time, as Maharagama Central further took their lead to 20-5.
From their Madina NS took charge of the control as they frustrated Maharagama Central at each move made. Adopting a pick-and-drive game plan, Madina NS scored from Mohamed Rahmy, his second try of the game, as K.F. Fazilan put over the conversion to cut the deficit down to 20-12. Stepping up from the momentum, Madina NS went on to add another try from their skipper M.S.A. Rahuman, with Fazilan putting over the kick to sniff a possible win with the scores coming to an exciting 20-19 stand. Despite putting out their maximum effort, Madina NS failed to break the defence put up by Maharagama Central, who held up their nerves to gain a nail-biting finish and clinch the Chairman’s Trophy.