Bradby Shield Second Leg today:

Will Royal beard the Lions in their own den?

DINESH WEERAWANSA

Will Royal be able to spring a surprise and beard the Lions in their own den? This will be the question to which present and old boys of Royal College, Colombo and Trinity College, Kandy, along with their supporters and rugby enthusiasts will be seeking an answer when the two teams clash in the second leg of their 64th Bradby Shield rugby encounter to be played at Bogambara Stadium in Kandy today.

Though the Reid Avenue boys took the first leg as favourites, they ate humble pie at the end as Trinity humiliated Royal 24-12 at their home venue. Hence, the Lions could look even more ferocious and roar when they confront Royal in their own den.

Undoubtedly, the 12-point lead would be a big bonus and would give distinct advantage for Trinity in today’s return’s leg. With the home advantage, the Lions could well capitalise on the 12-point lead they already enjoy. If the Lions could score a couple of early tries today, it would put them right on top and excert severe pressure on the Royal camp.

It was the Trinity three quarters which made the difference at the first leg. If they could maintain the same rhythm and make those penetrative moves once more, Royal will face an uphill task.

Despite fielding an inexperienced team this season, Trinity came out with a superlative performance when it mattered most and are out for a repeat performance.

The speedy back division has always been Trinity’s forte and wingers Viswajith Wijesinghe and Kennon Armstrong had an impressive first leg outing with their powerful three quarter moves down the flank.

Royal will have to come out with a vastly improved performance if they are to match Trinity. If Royal has any hopes of winning the Bradby, they must quickly wipe out the deficit early, preferably within the first 15 minutes of the game. Unless they quickly come in to the picture and surprise Trinity, the Reid Avenue boys hopes of winning the Bradby would be a shattered dream.

Royal will have to change their game plan and come out with a different strategy. Their backs were off colour in the first leg and failed both in attack as well as in defence. Mushin Faleel, who mans the last line of defence, was suspect against the high ball and was tested to the maximum.

This should not be repeated if the Royalists want to take the Bradby. The good news from the Royal camp is the return of regular full back Shailendra Chandrasegar, who had a impressive game against S.Thomas last week.

Coloursman Dushan Perera returns to the second row at the expense of Shihan Pathirana. Bilal Hassan, who played as No. 8 and scored both the Royal tries in the first leg, will move to the front row as hooker. The Reid Avenue boys have a strong pack that could hold the key but their backs should not waste the good ball.

Of the 63 previous two-leg Bradby encounters played since 1945, Trinity takes the lead with 34 wins to Royal 28 with one tie - in 1992 when the first leg ended in a nil-all draw and the three-all second leg too failed to break the deadlock. Though the Bradby Shield was introduced in 1945 in name of former Royal Principal, E. L. Bradby, the history of the Royal-Trinity rugby series dates way back to 1920.

Whatever the result may be, the Bradby Shield has turned out to be the annual meeting point for the young and old Royalists and Trinitians to share their sweet memories. The Bradby has maintained its high traditions and the excitement and enthusiasm that are generated even surpasses some of the key inter-club games or even international matches.

When it comes to Bradby Shield, the game has been played in the best of traditions with some fast and open rugby that would give spectators a great time. It will be to no exception and this year too as those high traditions will definitely be maintained.

ROYAL COLLEGE: Nikira Senanayake, Bilal Hassan, Shamir Fajudeen, Thushan Perera, Kalana Amarasinghe, Shehan Pathirana, Ashik Bari, Hasthika Bandaranayake, Rameez Rafeek and Naren Dhason, Suvindha Lenaduwa, (captain), Duminda Attygalle, Shamil Ahamed, Nabeel Faizer, Shilendra Chandrasegar.

TRINITY COLLEGE: (probable) Mohamed Riyazie, Damith Dissanayake, Isurath Singalaxana, Rishan Vidanagamage (Vice captain), Hasindu Dassanayake, Idris Omar, Milinda Gunawardena (captain), Ruzni Ramzeen, Abeeb Hamid and Nimesh Yatawara, Vishvajith Wijesinghe, Samreen Sameem, Shanon Armstrong, Kenon Armstrong, Lasantha Samarasekera.

Referee: Dilroy Fernando