Trinity a slight edge, but Royal can upset at home

Dinesh Weerawansa

RUGBY: Trinity College, Kandy should have a slight edge over Royal College, Colombo in the first leg of their 62nd Bradby Shield encounter to be played at Royal rugby grounds, Colombo today.

The Bradby Shield series, played in honour of the former Royal Principal the late E.L. Bradby, is the premier school rugby match of the season and is a much looked forward to event in the domestic rugby season.

The Royal-Trinity series began way back in 1920 though the shield was introduced 25 years later in 1945.

Ever since then, the 'Bradby ' encounter has been a two-leg affair and the winner was decided on the superior aggregate of points. Both teams look even on paper, but Trinity has a slight advantage due to their superior set of forwards, who have been the key to their success this season. The Trinity 'pack' has played good rugby and proved their class in every match.

Props Jazeer Hassan and Sathya Ratnatunga will pair off in the Trinity front row with Mahen Wickremasiri as the hooker. Adding strength to the Trinity pack would be second rowers Rashansha Madawela and Sean Wanigasekera with Milinda Gunawardena and Shehan Deane as flankers.

Completing the Trinity 'pack' as the No. 8 would be skipper Imalka Maddumapatabendi.

If their 'eight' continue the good work then the two halves - Niranjan Manickam and Kenneth Jacobs are capable of feeding the backs more often.

In contrast, Royal has a better back division. The Royal 'threes' have been penetrative and made some threatening moves in several games.

But it all depends on how good their forwards would be in winning good ball and how effective their halves combination of Naren Dhason and Omar Hassen would be in feeding the backs.

The Reid Avenue boys have a penetrative back division in Savindra Lenaduwa, Dilshan Senenayake, Isuru Jayatillaka and Asif Hussain while Ishara Perera mans the last line of defence.

Royal, though losing their vital game to Isipatana, have the ability to rise to the occasion.

They have talent and ability to turn the form book upside down but it all depends on how effective their forwards would be in winning the scrums and line outs.

Trinity will make every effort to win the Colombo leg as they are aware that they could paint a better picture in the 'return' leg before home supporters in a couple of week's time.

On the other hand, Royal's outside chance of regaining the coveted Bradby shield would mainly depend on how they fare in Colombo. Unless, they go to Kandy with a considerable lead, their chances of winning the Bradby would be less.

Amongst the most outstanding and memorable teams in recent times, Trinity had a champion team in 1987 under Tyrell Rajapakse.

In the following year, Lasitha Gunaratne's Royal team, coached by their 1971 skipper turned reputed surgeon Dr. Fred Perera, produced champion stuff to remain unbeaten.

Of the 61 Bradby shield encounters since 1945, Trinity takes the lead with 33 wins to Royal's 27 with one tie. Trinity are the custodians of the 'Bradby', having won it last year after that four consecutive wins by Royal early this century.

Whatever the result would be, the Bradby Shield series has always produced fast and open rugby played in true spirit. As one of the oldest inter-school rugby encounters in Sri Lanka, the match would continue its rich traditions and is sure to generate some exciting stuff.

The teams:

Royal: Manil Abeyratne, Ayesh Rajapakse, Umesh Koralagama, Diminri Siriwardena, Yasas Ratnayake, Bilal Hassen, Gayeshan Wijeseinghe (captain), Dhiren Warnakulasuriya, Naren Dhason and Omar Hassen, Savindra Lenaduwa, Dilshan Senanayahe, Isuru Jayatillake, Asif Hussain, Ishara Perera.

Trinity: Jazeer Hassan, Mahen Wickremasiri, Sathya Ratnatunga, Rashantha Madawela, Sean Wanigasekera, Milinda Gunawardena, Shehan Deane, Imalka Maddumapatabendi (captain), Niranjan Manickam and Kenneth Jacobs, Eshan Deane, Kasun Samaradivakara, Azar Marzook, S.B. Seneviratne, Krishan Kirinda.

Referee: Dilroy Fernando.