BY SANDHYA DISSANAYAKE, ATTORNEY-AT-LAW
Few teams in the rich history of Sri Lankan school rugby have achieved the level of excellence, dominance, and enduring admiration earned by the 1989 S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia First XV. More than three decades later, the side remains widely regarded as one of the greatest schoolboy rugby teams ever assembled, setting standards that continue to inspire generations of young players.
At the heart of that remarkable success was an exceptional leader—Rizwi Suhayb.
An immensely gifted player and inspirational captain, Suhayb guided the Thomians to one of the most celebrated campaigns in Sri Lankan schools rugby history, leading his side to an unbeaten season while capturing both the Schools League Championship and the President’s Trophy (Premadasa Trophy)—an unprecedented double that firmly established the 1989 team among the sport’s all-time greats.
A Captain Who Defined an Era
Suhayb was far more than an outstanding rugby player. He was the driving force behind a team that blended exceptional skill with discipline, resilience, and unwavering belief.
Having represented the Thomians in the First XV for five consecutive seasons, he entered his final year as one of the country’s most accomplished schoolboy players. His outstanding performances also earned him the captaincy of the Sri Lanka Under-20 team in 1989, underlining his status as one of the finest young rugby talents of his generation.
Blessed with explosive pace, remarkable vision, and exceptional game awareness, Suhayb possessed the rare ability to elevate those around him. His leadership inspired confidence throughout the squad, transforming an already talented group into one of the most formidable teams Sri Lankan school rugby has ever witnessed.
An Unforgettable Unbeaten Campaign
Throughout the 1989 season, S. Thomas’ College dominated every opponent that stood in its path.
Displaying a thrilling brand of attacking rugby while maintaining outstanding defensive discipline, the Thomians swept through the league competition before completing their historic campaign with a commanding victory over traditional rivals Isipathana College in the President’s Trophy final.
The achievement of winning both major school rugby titles without suffering a single defeat was unprecedented at the time and remains one of the defining milestones in the history of Sri Lankan school rugby.
A Legacy That Extended Beyond 1989
The influence of the 1989 side did not end with its historic double.
The culture of excellence established under Suhayb’s leadership continued to shape S. Thomas’ College rugby in the years that followed. The Thomian teams of 1990 and 1991 successfully extended the school’s remarkable unbeaten streak to 47 consecutive victories, one of the longest winning runs ever recorded in Sri Lankan schools rugby.
That extraordinary sequence reflected not only the talent of successive squads but also the enduring standards established by the legendary 1989 team.
A Rivalry That Defines School Rugby
Few rivalries in Sri Lankan school sport possess the prestige and intensity of the annual encounters between S. Thomas’ College and Isipathana College.
For decades, the two schools have contested fiercely competitive matches that have produced some of the finest moments in local rugby, helping shape the traditions and identity of both institutions.
It is therefore fitting that one of the sport’s most respected annual fixtures bears the name of one of its greatest captains.
The Rizwi Suhayb Trophy
Following Rizwi Suhayb’s untimely passing, his teammates from the unforgettable 1989 championship-winning side sought a lasting way to honour their captain and friend.
Their vision gave birth to the Rizwi Suhayb Trophy, now contested annually whenever S. Thomas’ College and Isipathana College meet on the rugby field.
More than a championship trophy, it serves as a tribute to courage, leadership, sportsmanship, and excellence—the very qualities that defined Suhayb throughout his distinguished playing career.
Each year, as two of Sri Lanka’s greatest rugby schools renew one of the country’s oldest rivalries, the trophy ensures that Rizwi Suhayb’s remarkable contribution to the game continues to inspire new generations of players.
His legacy lives not only in the record books but in every contest played for the honour of lifting the trophy that proudly bears his name.
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