Royal huff and puff but Trinity prevail
Despite a brave, even audacious performance by Royal, fate decreed that the Bradby Shield should be the preserve of Trinity for another year.
The winners walked away with heads held high even though they had squeezed out a victory by only one point at Pallekele yesterday.
Trinity’s 19 points came from a goal and four penalties, while Royal had the statistical satisfaction of touching down twice (once for a conversion) and two successful penalties.
The first half was rather desultory, with a lot of, at times, aimless kicking. Both wingers – Royal and Trinity – had chances of touching down, but failed to lay their hands on the ball with the goal line beckoning.
Tarinda Ratwatte put their first points on the board in the 14th minute. His foot seemed to slip as he kicked, but he still skimmed it over the bar. In the 29th minute, Nimshan Jayawardena equalised by converting a penalty slightly to the right of the right upright. Just before the short whistle, Ratwatte slotted over his second penalty for Trinity to lead 6-3 at half time.
This was a different Royal side. They spread the ball out wide, played expansively and indulged in some inventive passing.
Trinity for their part distributed the ball well between the forwards and the backs.
Royal used the rolling maul over and over again and proved mightily effective. In fact, hooker Supun Warnakulasuriya touched down for the first try of the match off one such effort.
Prior to that, Ratwatte had obliged once more with a penalty. However after about ten minutes of the second half, Royal was in the lead at 11-9 after adding a penalty.
Trinity’s only try came from Isuru Rangala - Pix by Indika Handuwala
The Royal forwards, as expected, were outstanding. Their defensive work kept the dangerous Trinity outsides in check. Skipper Jayawardena, like his counterpart, played a major role in trying to put his team in front. Jayawardena’s line kicking was superb.
The 63rd minute of play saw Trinity producing an absolutely exquisite try. The ball came out of a scrum and Ratwatte cross-kicked judiciously. It was a nicely weighted kick to the corner and it bounced right for the advancing number eight Isuru Rangala to collect and fall over. Ratwatte added the extra points for Trinity to lead 16-11.
The effectiveness of the rolling maul employed by Royal was in evidence once more when Royal’s forwards kept pushing the Trinitians back, only for Nikhila Gunadeera to fall over. Jayawardena converted and Royal were now scenting a win at 18-16
Alas for the visitors, one of their players offended and the offering was gleefully accepted by Ratwatte, who added another twelve points to his overall tally. Royal came out with a slightly different game plan. They ran at the Trinity defence and tried to meet fire with fire. But Trinity had better attacking potential, even though they had only one try to show for their efforts.
The battle of the skippers – early on, it was the battle of the boot! – provided a fascinating side show. It was hard to tell as to who came on top.
Referee: Irshad Cader.