First leg of the 65th Bradby Shield encounter:

Royal has edge in today’s game

Dinesh WEERAWANSA

It should be a close battle for supremacy between Royal forwards and Trinity three quarters when the two giants in the schools rugby arena scrum down in the first leg of the 65th Bradby Shield encounter to be played at Bogambara Stadium, Kandy this evening.

On paper, Royal has a slight edge over their traditional rugby opponents but the outcome of the first leg would heavily depend on how freely and effectively the Trinity ‘threes’ could move in ‘Royal territory’. On the other hand, Trinity will be playing under home conditions, which is a huge plus point.

Nevertheless, the Reid Avenue boys are determined to humble the Lions in their own den. In order to keep their chances alive, Royal will depend heavily on their heavy and mobile pack which is their trump card.

The formidable Royal ‘eight’, spearheaded by vice captain Nikira Senanayake, Udara de Silva, Ranga Perera, Hamza Hassan and Sri Lanka youth players Kalana Amarasinghe and Hasthika Bandaranayake have contributed immensely towards Royal’s success this season.

However, Trinity has an equally strong ‘weapon’ in their ‘armory’ in that speedy and penetrative back division comprising centres Vishwajith Wijesinghe, Lasantha Samarasekera and wingers Kennon Armstrong, Akila Dissanayake. They will have the luxury of a smooth halves combination in Sri Lanka youth player Adeeb Hameed and Rohan Weerakoon who are capable of feeding the backs.

Royal has remained unbeaten this season, beating S.Thomas’ 37-33, St.Anthony’s 39-06, St.Peter’s 30-10 and Mahanama 54-3.

In contrast, Trinity has lost two of their four outings. Losing to lesser known rugby opponent St. Joseph’s 24-27 would undoubtedly be a big setback. Trinity also lost to S. Thomas’ 17-26 while beating town mates St. Anthony’s 48-10 and St. Peter’s 43-33.

However, the courageous Lions have come back to the picture strongly and the Bradby would be a different ball game altogether. Today’s meeting will be the 153rd first XV rugby meeting between the two schools in 90 years.

The Royal-Trinity rugby series started way back in 1920 though the Bradby Shield was introduced only in 1945 in honour of the former Royal Principal the late E.L. Bradby. Of the 64 Bradby Shield encounters, Trinity takes the lead with 35 wins to Royal’s 28 with one tie.

Trinity are the proud custodians of the coveted Bradby Shield, having narrowly won last year’s encounter on a better aggregate. Last year, Trinity won the first leg in style 24-12 in Colombo but Royal came back strongly to win the ‘return’ leg 8-0. Royal’s last ‘Bradby’ win was in 2007 under Manil Abeyratne.

The two leading rugby playing schools in the country have made a great contribution to Sri Lanka rugby, producing many star Sri Lanka players. Gracing today’s first leg as the chief guest will be one of those proud products of Trinity - their 1969 captain and former Sri Lanka full back Shafi Jainudeen.

Whatever the outcome would be, the Bradby Shield would dish out fast and open rugby and the spectators are assured of some power packed action with rugby at its best. Moreover, it is a meeting point for the past and present Royalists and Trinitians to recall their past memories and share their experience.

Trinity: Chamudith Weerakoon, Damith Dissanayake, Murad Ramzeen, Gotabaya Mahesh, Deshan Aluvihare, Idris Omar, Murugesan Unananaudan or Mohamed Irfan, Shannon Armstrong, Adeeb Hameed and Rohan Weerakoon, Kennan Armstrong, Vishwjith Wijesinghe (Captain), Lasantha Samarasekera, Akila Dissanayake, Kanchana Ramanayake or Surendra Alwis.

Royal: Nikira Senanyake, Udara de Silva, Ashen Dassanayake, Kalana Amarasinghe, Ranga Perera, Shehan Pathirana, Hasthika Bandaranayake, Hanza Hassen, Aqueel Sathuk and Navin Dhason (Capt.), Shamil Ahamed, Daminda Attygalle, Mushin Faleel, Chamara Dabare, Shabbir Mohamed.

Referee: Dilroy Fernando.