The pinnacle of Sri Lanka School Rugby, The Bradby Shield concluded in the past week as Royal College went up against their traditional rivals Trinity College in the 75th edition of the prestigious encounter. Two immensely proud schools that are often drive by prestige, passion and each other, played against each other in the 1st leg of the encounter at the Pallekale Rugby stadium on the 1st of June.

Royal, Spearheaded by skipper Thulaib Hassen came to Kandy hoping to secure a lead on the 1st  leg and ultimately retaining the shield for the 5th consecutive year. Trinity were hoping to break the deadlock and win back the shield after a lapse of 4 years. The stage was set and expectations were high as fans across the land, and even beyond waited intently for what they believed was going to be a contest and a half.

And they weren’t going to have to wait for long for their assumptions to be justified as Trinity scored in the first few minutes of the game. Incoming Trinity defense caused Royal’s Kalindu Nandila to opt for a kick to ease the pressure. However he kicked straight into the oppositions center Tevin Karunanayake, who after beating a few defenders went onto cross the try line. However Trinity failed converts the extras. (Royal 0 – 5 Trinity)

However, Royal hit back with a blow of their own almost immediately, as same dangerous loose play by Trinity deep in their own 22 resulted in a handling error in which Thulaib Hassen pounced on level again as Dulan Gunawardena failed to convert the extras. (Royal 5 – 5)

Almost immediately, Royal scored their second try of the game through Achitha Radeeshan. This time charging down a Trinity kick and being able to convert pressure into points. A somewhat retaliation for Royal as Trinity scored their first try in similar fashion. Dulan Gunawardena’s kick was successful as Royal gained a 7 point lead. (Royal 12 – 5 Trinity)

Dulan Gunawardena slotted in a penalty as well due to an infringement caused by the Trinitian’s in the breakdown. (Royal 15 – 5 Trinity)

The final points in the half were scored by Trinity as they crossed over for a try and converting the extras. Reducing the gap by a mere 5 points as both teams headed into the break. (Royal 15 – 12 Trinity)

The second half started in similar fashion to the 1st. This time Trinity outside center Harshana Samarasinghe, who ran a superb line and ended up scoring a stunner. Trinity was back in the lead by two points but almost the entire second half was yet to play for. (Royal 15 – 17 Trinity)

However, Royal held their nerve and regained their lead a few minutes later. Royal scrum half Nipuna Yasojana taking a quick tap which resulted in them going an overlap which ultimately led to Lehan Gunarathne scoring his first try. (Royal 20 – 17 Trinity)

Lehan Gunerathne’s second try of the game followed after a brilliant offload from Thulaib Hassen which enabled to get him through the whitewash. Maleesha Perera added the extras which gave Royal a 10 point lead. (Royal 27 – 17 Trinity)

The final try of the game was scored by Kevin Samarasekara, after Royal played a quick penalty and ran over the tired Trinity defense. The conversion was successful, extending Royal’s lead to 17 points. (Royal 34 – 17 Trinity)

Thus ended the 1st leg of the encounter. Royal gaining a massive advantage of 17 points ahead of the 2nd leg in Colombo which was be held in two week’s time.

Both Trinity and Royal came into the 2nd leg with facing matches the previous week as well. A lackluster performance from Trinity saw them going down to St. Peter’s College while Royal beat Science College 41 – 20.

A massive amount of cheers were heard as the referee blew his whistle in marking the commencement of the second leg. The hosts Royal didn’t have to wait for long as they were awarded a penalty the deep in Trinity territory. Dulan Gunawardena was successful in slotting the kick between the posts. (Royal 03 – 00)

Infringement from both sides resulted in Trinity’s Amith Kulathnga and Royal’s Kalindu Nandila heading into the sin bin. Despite their slow start Trinity scored their first try of the game. Minindu Jayasundara converted the extras. (Royal 03 – 07 Trinity)

And just on the brink of halftime, Trinity scored again, this time through Minindu Jayasundara who crashed over the try line. However he failed to convert his own try, as both teams headed into the break with Trinity having reduced Royal’s initial lead into 8 points.

Half Time – (Royal 03 – 12 Trinity)

And within the starting few minutes of the second half Trinity scored their 3rd try, through a driving maul. The conversion was unsuccessful as Trinity had reduced the aggregate to a mere 3 points. (Royal 3 – 17 Trinity)

However Trinity were reduced to 14 men again as one of their players had been sent to the sin bin. Royal finally scored their first try of the match in the 44th minute through Rajindu Jayasooriya via rolling maul. However the hosts couldn’t convert the extras. (Royal 8 – 17 Trinity)

Rajindu Jayasooriya scored his second try of the game in much similar fashion to his first. Through a rolling maul and Royal had managed to extend their lead of the aggregate to 12 points. (Royal 13 – 17 Trinity)

When all seemed over, the never say die Trinitians managed to score a try and convert it with just 4 minute for the full time whistle to be blown. Thus making it a six point game and everything to play for.

As tense as the end might have been the boys in blue and gold managed to hold their nerve and managed to win a turnover. Which ensured their victory.

(Full time Royal 13 – 24 Trinity)

(Aggregate Royal 47 – 41 Trinity)

The Trinity lions had put on a comeback performance that was almost worthy or winning back shield, but the Royal spirit had prevailed once more as they managed to retain the coveted shield for the 5th year running.