Mirror Magazine

Mirror Magazine

Bradby fever
By Asif Fuard
It’s one of the most ‘happening’ rugby matches of the year! And Saturday, August 7, was (in the same vein) a very ‘happening’ day at the Royal College Sports Complex. It was the first leg of the 60th Bradby Shield and there was a sell-out crowd.

This is the 141st time Royal College, Colombo and Trinity College, Kandy are playing against each other. The Bradby Shield rugby encounter has a history of 60 years. The Shield originated when Mr. E. L. Bradby the principal of Royal College decided to award a shield for the Royal-Trinity rugby encounter. The shield was to be awarded during a time when the game was heavily titled in favour of repeated Trinity College victories with big margins.

Bradby’s idea was that he wanted the game to be contested on equal terms and therefore decided that both teams should have the opportunity of playing in their own grounds and that is why they play two games. The team with the higher aggregate is awarded the shield. His expectations were for the game to be played at the highest standard of sportsmanship upholding the valued traditions of both schools.

Without any doubt, at the Colombo leg, the Royalists were the favourites! There were a few exhibition matches before the main event started. And when the Royal and Trinity first fifteen teams stepped out of the dressing room, the enthusiastic rugby fans came alive. The stand where I was may have not been the most exciting place to be during the game, but it was good to see the oldies going wild over the match.

With both teams passing the ball here and there and warming up, the Royal fans were giving the usual R-O-Y-A-L cheer to give a boost to the players. The game began after the college songs of both schools were sung. The atmosphere was just right.

Even though the match was at Colombo, there was a very good crowd of Kandyans present and trying to outdo the ‘Royal fans’ dressed in blue and yellow, with their colours, blue and red. There were small kids who were carrying the flags of their respective colleges. The papara band was keeping the crowd going. People of all walks of life who gathered to witness this famous event, which takes place every year, were as usual involved and interested in the game. Some of the spectators who were past pupils of the respective schools were cheering as if they were still in school. Well, when it comes to the Bradby even the grandpas are young at heart and full of spirit.

Even though the A/Level results were out on that day and gave quite a few of us a scare, it didn’t dampen the spirit much. And though it was the main topic of conversation in the sports complex at the beginning, it deviated to more pressing issues quite fast, as Royal was in a winning position.

The souvenir committee also plays a major role in the Bradby. Two months before the Bradby they start their search for sponsors in order to make the souvenir a success. The souvenir plays a major part in this rugby match because it gives an introduction to the Bradby. It also contains the players’ profiles both on and off the field and also comments on the Bradby by past pupils of the colleges. These souvenirs are sold to spectators who come to witness the Bradby Shield. The souvenirs can only be bought at the Bradby because they sell fast.

The souvenirs, the culture, the spirit, the people – that’s what makes this a match with plenty of history where always the best team wins. It’s an event that carries memories that will last a lifetime, for both the players and for those who come to watch the match every year.

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