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Isipathana Clinches U19 Knockout Crown with Dramatic Final Victory Over Trinity

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Isipathana College emerged triumphant in the final of the 2025 Under-19 Schools Rugby Knockout Tournament, edging out Trinity College 12-9 in a nail-biting showdown at Royal College Complex. With this hard-fought win, Isipathana secured their 13th President’s Trophy title, further solidifying their legacy as one of Sri Lanka’s rugby powerhouses.

Early Advantage for Isipathana

The defending champions struck first with an impressive opening try, setting the tone for a high-stakes encounter. Avishka Hiran calmly added the conversion, giving Isipathana an early 7-0 lead.

Trinity responded with composure, as fly-half Shan Altaf slotted two well-taken penalties, reducing the deficit to a single point. Despite sustained pressure from both sides and chances that went begging, neither team could breach the opposition’s line again in the first half. The teams went into the break with Isipathana narrowly ahead, 7-6.

Grit and Discipline in the Second Half

The second half saw a continuation of the intense battle, but Trinity was handed a blow when Disal Thomas was sin-binned for persistent team infringements. Despite having a numerical advantage, Isipathana squandered a couple of penalty opportunities, as the kicking duties switched between players with no success.

Tensions escalated when Kaveen Jayasinghe was shown a yellow card for a biting offense, a disciplinary lapse that handed momentum back to Trinity. Fly-half Altaf seized the opportunity, delivering a beautifully executed drop goal to hand Trinity their first lead of the game, 9-7.

Late Heroics Seal the Title

As time ticked down and the match appeared to be slipping away, Isipathana found inspiration. Avishka Hiran, showing great awareness and timing, delivered a clever offload to Yuvindu Kodithuwakku, who powered his way past three defenders to score the match-winning try.

The conversion was missed, but it mattered little as the green shirts held on for a 12-9 victory, sealing back-to-back Knockout Championships.

Match Summary:

  • Full Time: Trinity College 09 (3 Penalties) – Isipathana College 12 (2 Tries, 1 Conversion)
  • Try Scorers: Adithya Madushan, Yuvindu Kodithuwakku (Isipathana)
  • Conversion: Avishka Hiran (Isipathana)
  • Penalties/Drop Goal: Shan Altaf (Trinity) – 2 Penalties, 1 Drop Goal

Glory for Isipathana, Lessons for Trinity

Isipathana’s ability to absorb pressure and respond in key moments underlined their championship pedigree. While Trinity displayed grit and tactical discipline, they were ultimately undone by missed opportunities and a lack of execution in the final stages.

As the curtains fall on the 2025 U19 Schools Rugby Knockout, Isipathana College once again stands tall, crowned champions in a finale that showcased the depth, drama, and raw emotion of school rugby in Sri Lanka.

Cricket

LPL Sixth Edition to Be Played Across Four Venues from July 10 to August 5

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The sixth edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) is set to take place from July 10 to August 5, 2026, promising another exciting season of top-quality Twenty20 cricket. As Sri Lanka’s premier domestic T20 competition with a strong international presence, the tournament continues to attract both local and overseas talent.

This year’s matches will be held across four venues: Sinhalese Sports Club Ground (SSC), R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium (RPICS), Pallekele International Cricket Stadium (PICS), and Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium (RDICS). These iconic grounds are expected to provide a vibrant atmosphere and excellent playing conditions throughout the competition.

The online registration portal for foreign players will officially open on May 4, 2026, allowing international cricketers to sign up and participate in the league. This step ensures the continuation of LPL’s global appeal, as overseas players add competitiveness and diversity to the tournament.

The event will be organized by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), the official owner of the league, in partnership with The IPG Group, which holds the event rights. Their collaboration has been instrumental in maintaining the league’s high standards since its inception.

Launched in 2020, the LPL has rapidly grown in popularity among cricket fans. Mr. Samantha Dodanwela, an Executive Committee Member of SLC, will continue in his role as Tournament Director, ensuring smooth organization and execution.

With thrilling matches and star players expected, LPL 2026 is set to deliver another unforgettable cricketing spectacle.

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Dambulla Gears Up for Women’s ‘A’ Cricket Action in May 2026

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Sri Lanka is set to host an exciting bilateral cricket series as the New Zealand Women’s A Team tours the island in May 2026. The series, featuring both One Day and T20 matches, will see the visitors compete against the Sri Lanka Women’s A Team in what promises to be a competitive showcase of emerging talent.

All matches will be held at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium (RDICS), with play scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. each day. The New Zealand side is expected to arrive in Sri Lanka on 7 May 2026, giving them several days to acclimatize before the series begins.
The tour will consist of three One Day matches followed by three T20 encounters. The One Day fixtures are scheduled for 12th, 15th, and 18th May, while the T20 series will take place on 21st, 23rd, and 25th May.

This series is seen as an important opportunity for both teams to develop their next generation of international players. With a mix of promising players and those on the cusp of senior national selection, the matches are expected to be closely contested.

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Bangladesh beat Chamari-less Sri Lanka despite late drama

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Bangladesh Women edged out Sri Lanka Women in a tense finish during the first ODI of the Sri Lanka Women’s tour of Bangladesh 2026, chasing down 206 with just nine balls to spare in a match that swung dramatically in the final overs.

Put into bat, Sri Lanka Team posted a competitive 205/9 from their 50 overs, built on steady contributions rather than a single dominant innings. Imesha Dulani (52 off 77) and Hansima Karunaratne (54 off 71) anchored the innings with a crucial middle-order stand after early setbacks. Captain Hasini Perera made a brisk 27, but Sri Lanka struggled to accelerate in the final 10 overs, losing wickets at regular intervals.

Bangladesh’s bowling attack kept things tight throughout. Ritu Moni was the standout performer, claiming 3 for 36 and breaking key partnerships, while Nahida Akter and Marufa Akter maintained pressure with disciplined spells.

In reply, Bangladesh got off to a disastrous start, losing two wickets within the first two overs. However, Sharmin Akhter produced a match-defining innings, scoring a composed 86 off 127 balls to anchor the chase. She found support from Sobhana Mostary, who made 41 before retiring hurt, and later Shorna Akter, whose 35 added momentum in the middle overs.

Despite being in control for much of the chase, Bangladesh nearly stumbled at the finish. A late burst from Sri Lanka’s bowlers saw Dewmi Vihanga pick up three crucial wickets, triggering a collapse that left Bangladesh at 200/7 after being comfortably placed at 199/3.
The match briefly tilted back in Sri Lanka’s favor, but Bangladesh held their nerve. Extras proved decisive, with 21 wides significantly easing the chase. Eventually, Bangladesh crossed the target in 48.3 overs, sealing a hard-fought three-wicket victory.

Sri Lanka will rue their inability to capitalize on key moments, particularly in the death overs with both bat and ball. The absence of star player Chamari Athapaththu was evident, as they lacked the firepower to push their total beyond reach.

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