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28 March 2024

Trinity roar to victory at Lanka Lions Tag Rugby Championship in Dubai

The victorious Trinity College team with the Roger Rodrigo Challenge Cup after emerging champions at the Lanka Lions Tag Rugby Sevens Championship in Dubai on Friday October 17. (Ricardo Dekker)

Published
By Allaam Ousman

Trinity College, Kandy regained the Roger Rodrigo Challenge Cup by defeating St Peter's College in the 10th Lanka Lions Annual Inter School Tag Rugby Championships in Dubai on Friday.

UAE national player Emad Riyal and skipper Sri Ranjan scored two converted tries after the break as Trinity clawed back to beat high-riding St Peter's 14-7 in a thrilling final at the Rugby Park of Dubai Sports City.

The Peterites who had the services of Lanka Lions captain Madisha Silva and Sri Lanka national player Mohamed Sherif enjoyed a 7-0 lead at the interval through a converted try by Achala Silva.

They enjoyed possession and held the upper hand for much of the game before the 'never say die' Trinitians inspired by 1991 Bradby Shield winner Azarath Deen waged a stirring fightback to emerge champions of this tournament for the fourth time.

Trinity's Bradby Shield winning captain Haleq Wadood was adjudged player of the tournament being the highest try scorer.

"It was a very competitive tournament with St Peter's, Thurstan and Zahira having players who had represented Lanka Lions. It was the best final I have ever played in. Our defence was solid and we stuck to a game plan," said the former Trinity centre Azarath whose son Adil, 17, was also a member of the champion team.

Trinity also had the satisfaction of beating 'Bradby' rivals Royal en route to the final scoring eight unanswered tries.

The victorious Trinity side also comprised Shaham Wadood, Mohammed Hilmy, Shiran Siddeek, Lakshan de Silva, Silmy Mohammed, Themiya Ekanayake and Janaka Weerasinghe.

"The Trinitians were really prepared for this tournament. We were lacking in fitness," said St Peter's captain Madisha who is making a return after undergoing surgery for a meniscus problem in his right leg in September.

He is confident of making a full recovery to lead Lanka Lions at the forthcoming Dubai Rugby Sevens. Under his captaincy Lanka Lions emerged runners-up in the Gulf Men's Open category last year.

Philip Asingarachchi, Kirk Williams, Kyle Barthelot and Tharinda Fernando were some of the top players for St Peter's.

A record 24 teams took part in the tournament with a separate Legends Invitation Trophy which consisted of two Gulf League teams - Dubai Hurricanes and Arabian Knights - the hosts Lanka Lions Legends and the unbeaten champions of Sri Lanka Kingswood Over 35 team having flown in.
 
"This is the first year where teams were allowed to fly down one old boy to represent their respective schools, and there were some big names that came, including current Sri Lanka national player Mohamed Sherif of St Peters College," said Roshan de Silva, vice-president of the Lanka Lions Sports Club.

Five referees from Sri Lanka, including D Nimal, Irshad Cader and Gamini Indrasena, were also flown down for the tournament

Results of finals:
 
Roger Rodrigo Challenge Cup:
Trinity College ‘A’ beat St Peter's College ‘A’ 14-7
 
Bertie Dias Memorial Plate: Zahira College ‘A’ beat Royal College 14-7
 
Suren Agency Bowl: Lumbini College beat St Benedicts College 14-5
 
ExpoFreight Spoon: Wesley College beat St Peters College ‘B’ 21-12
 
Jabra Legends Trophy: ingswood College Over 35 beat Lanka Lions Legends 14-7
 
Player of the Tournament: Haleek Wadood (Trinity College Kandy)