Royal retain the coveted shield for fifth consecutive year
Royal College regained the Bradby Shield in its 75th annual encounter beating Trinity College by an aggregate of 47 points to 41 after both legs
June 15 saw the second leg of the Bradby Shield encounter played at the Royal College Complex in Colombo, which were lined with video walls, pyrotechnics and flag bearers, holding high the standards of both schools. Budding young ruggerites were given the opportunity to walk onto the field alongside the members of the 1st XV teams for the introduction line up, an arrangement which was well received by the multitude gathered to watch the much anticipated game of rugby.
The Royal team trooped onto the field with a 34-17 lead, following their victory at Pallekele a fortnight ago. However, by the end of the first half of the second leg, the Trinitians had the Royalists in retreat with a score of 12-3 in their favour. Trinity captain and full back Reshan Bandaranayake led from the front, guiding his team tactfully, throwing himself into the attack and standing strong in the line of defense.
The junior eastern and westerns bands along with the senior cadet band entertained the audience at various intervals before and during the game. The Captains’ Parade added a special nostalgic touch to the event, as did the video featuring the legacy of past captains. Royalists and Trinitians, young and old, were deeply appreciative of the recognition and felicitation of the past captains who once led their respective school teams onto the field. It was a great moment of pride for the captains themselves to walk onto the field and receive the adulation of the entire gathering and be introduced to the chief guest and entourage.
The Royalists came back fighting during the second half of the game, with halfback Nipuna Yasojana leading the charge with his performance from the base and probing box kicks. The Trinitians put up a stiff resistance scoring another 12 points. But by the end of the second half Royal had succeeded in scoring 13 more points, bringing the total score to 24-13 in Trinity’s favour.
However, according to the rules of the encounter the final victor is the team that scores the most points from both legs of the tournament. Royal’s victory at Pallekele during the first leg gave them a total of 47, whereas Trinity’s final score stood at 41. Thus did the Royalists secure the Bradby Shield for the 34th time since its inception 75 years ago. Mr. E.L. Bradby must surely be beaming down upon his boys in pride.
Among the special guests present in the audience were Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremasinghe along with other Ministers and dignitaries as well. The Chief Guest for the evening was Ted Hiran Muttiah.
Trinity win Simithriarachchi Trophy
Despite their loss in the main game, the Trinity was able to comfortably win the two junior games while winning the Simithriarachchi Trophy offered in the Under-18 match. Trinity beat Royal by a thumping 62-5 and finish off with an overwhelming aggregate of 93-10 after their win of 31-5 in the first leg played at Pallekele. The Trinity Under-18 team was led by Kaveen Wijeyasena.
The Trinity Under-16 team too recorded an easy win of 21-0 and completed the two legs with an aggregate of 26-0.
- Pix by Priyantha Wickramaarachchi
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- Trinity College Under-18s won the Simithriarachchi Trophy with an aggregate of 93 points to 10
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- Royal College regained the Bradby Shield in its 75th annual encounter beating Trinity College by an aggregate of 47 points to 41 after both legs