By Rehan Anandakumar & Chaniru Senhas (Web Content Team)
The hills of Pallekele echoed with school spirit on Saturday, 24 August, as Trinity College, Kandy, and Royal College, Colombo, renewed their historic rivalry in the 79th Bradby Shield Encounter. In front of a packed Trinity College Rugby Stadium, Royal held their composure on the big stage, defeating the home side 15–5 in the first leg to take a valuable lead into the return fixture in Colombo.
From the opening whistle, the game carried all the hallmarks of a Bradby classic: strong tackles, fast runs, and the unrelenting roar of two sets of supporters urging their teams forward. Royal settled quickly, striking early with a well-constructed try that stunned the Trinity supporters. Their kicker, however, was unable to convert, leaving the score at 5–0, but with the momentum firmly with the visitors.
Royal’s forwards soon tightened their grip, controlling possession and pinning Trinity deep inside their half. Their persistence paid off with a second try midway through the first half, this time followed by a successful conversion. The seven-point haul pushed Royal into a 12–0 lead and quietened the Pallekele crowd, who had been waiting for something to cheer.
Trinity, though under pressure, showed resilience. Their defence held firm and, after the break, they began to fight back with purposeful runs and quick ball movement. The reward came when a determined attacking phase broke through Royal’s line, sending a Trinity player over the try line in the twenty-third minute. The conversion attempt fell wide, but at 12–5, the contest was alive again and the home crowd regained their voice.
The comeback, however, did not fully materialise. Royal added a penalty to extend their lead to 15–5 and closed out the match with composed game management in the final minutes.
As the final whistle sounded, Royal’s players and supporters celebrated a hard-fought win, while Trinity now face the challenge of overturning a 10-point deficit in the second leg on 6 September at the Royal College Sports Complex in Colombo. With the Bradby Shield decided on aggregate, the task is steep but far from impossible. History shows that Bradby encounters are rarely short of drama.
Full Squad:
Usman Shafraz (Captain), Shan Althaf (Vice Captain), Nisith Kumarasinghe (Vice Captain), Rithika Weragama, Sadeesha Weerawamsa, Dishal Thomas, Nisala Perera, Mohammed Waqidh Ali, Seth Wickramanayake, Ishara Premachandra, Tevin Udukumbura, Achintha Jayasena, Ravindu Jayasinghe, Mukshidh Siyam, Ridma Nimneth, Ammaar Manzil, Manusha Silva, Akash Fernando, Ramindu Wanasinghe, Dimath Ambepitiya, Kevin Weerakoon, Evin Jayasena, Abdul Malik, Maleesha Jayaneth, Onija Kodithuwakku, Bilal Nazeer, Amhar Faizal, Heshan Kumarawansa, Naheel Jayah, Mindinu Dissanayake, Hamza Abdeen, Minula Yaddehige, Vihanga Indhusara, Mohamed Asri, Deemal Thilakarathne, Ravishka Dissanayake, Shrayan Satheeshkumar, Murad Raizan, Udan Wijekoon, Avishka Jayasekara.
