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Trinity succumb to rampaging Royal XV
Royal - 13
Trinity - 11
By Aubrey Kuruppu
Royal, the superior side duly won an absorbing tussle, but the 59th Bradby Shield first leg would doubtless be remembered for some sterling play by the Trinitians. They were ahead for much of the game, but finally had to succumb to the pressure created by a rampaging Royal outfit - Royal 13 (1 goal, 2 penalties) 11 (1 penalty and a drop goal) was the final tally.

Trinity started with a bang and rattled the Royalists. Saliya Kumara converted a penalty for Trinity to 80 3/0 up. Jayasuriya burst through in retaliation but was short of the line. Trinity's winger Isuru Jayasena intercepted a pass when Royal were on the attack and hared along the touch - line for an unconverted try (8/0). Minutes later Saliya Kumara dropped a nonchalant goal and the home team were sitting pretty (11/0).

Royal threw themselves into the fray with gusto and skipper Jayasundare some how found a way to the goal line. Bahudeen converted (11-7). Royal kept probing the Trinity defence and the back division looked positively dangerous.

After that early start, Royal was concentrating on defence. Jayasundare, Dissanaike and scrum half Nirmal Siriwardena kept the defence busy with many a threatening move being initiated by them. Half time 11-7 (Trinity).

Trinity once again went on the offensive and skipper Maddumapatabendi who played tremendous game and fly half Ainaff made two good breaks. Ainaff was stopped 10 metres from the line.

Trinity mode occasional breaks and gained valuable ground. But for the most part they were reduced to defence, with the Royalists coming at them in waves. Bahudeen put over a penalty to make it 11/10. Saliya Kumara, who was in a sense the star of the Trinity show, missed a reasonably easy 25-yard penalty.

With time running out, winger Lakshman Dissanayake took a quick short top in the 25 and burst through. He was stopped almost on the line but a penalty was conceded and Bahudeen put it over to the delight of the Royal fans.

For Royal, Jayasundera, Dissanaike Siriwardena and Bahudeen excelled, while Saliya Kumara, Maddumapatabendi, Ainaff and Senerath had a good game for Trinity. umara was quite brilliant in his play, gaining ground through his accurate line kicking and also side-stepping his way through the Royal defence on occasion.

Royal won but the manner of their winning left something to be desired. They had more possession and more thrust in their back division but still scored only a solitary try. Trinity who were simply demolished last year in both legs can take great heart from this performance. With a little luck they may even have turned the tables on Royal. Referee - Dilroy Fernando
Trinity won the Under 17 game 11 points to 5.

Soldiers outclass Police in Round 2
Army - 30
Police - 20
By Shamseer Jaleel
Sri Lanka Army beat the Police SC by 30 points (3 goals, 3 penalties) to 20 (1 try, 5 penalties) in their Caltex "A" Division Cup second round game played at Police Park yesterday. At lemons Police SC led 14 - 13. Police forwards gave an excellent performance as they out played Army SC in most parts of the game.

But it was Army's fitness, as they scored two quick tries in the late second half, which won them the game. Policemen enjoyed a large share of possessions in both lineouts and set pieces in the first half. Army SC after was held to a one-point lead by the cops who cut loose late in the second half. Their Kenyan and Samoan players were well marked and were tackled by the Police three quarters.

Police SC scored five penalties through Dissanayake and the try was scored by prop Anura Fernando. For Army SC Karunarthna, Jayasuriya and Sitara Fernando scored. Their safe full back T.A.Silva converted all three and was also on target with three penalties.

For Police SC Shantha Rohana, B.D.N. Fernando and Dissanayake played well. For Army SC Karunarathna , Knowlton, T.A.Silva and Naushad played their hearts out.
Referee - D.Nimal

ITN is doing a grand job by telecasting these matches 'live' to all parts of the island. Former Kingswoodian Mahesh Senanayake in English and Kasturiarachchi in Sinhala gave commentaries. Mahesh played for Kingswood in 1999 and later played for Kandy SC and Army SC.

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