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A runaway win in the first leg
Trinity too hot in the mud
By Aubrey Kuruppu
Trinity, with a fantastic display of attacking rugby by the backs, annihilated a rather lack-luster Royal team to score a smashing 36 points (3 goals, 3 tries) to 6 points (2 drop goals) win in the first leg of the Bradby at Bogambara yesterday.

Trinity dominated almost the entire duration of the match. It would be unfair to single out players for mention as this was a glorious performance by the entire team. They were expected to win. But the manner and the margin came as a surprise. The Trinitians obviously had it all spelled out to them by coaches Jayasinghe and Krone.

Nevertheless the manner in which they stuck to their task, despite the vagaries of the weather and a ‘slippery as soap’ ball earned them kudos. Perceived wisdom has it that when the ball is wet, you cut down on the handling and use the boot more. But Nishan Ferandno’s splendid team made light if all that theory.

When Pushpakumara missed two relatively easy penalties in the first six minutes, it seemed as though he was having another of his off days. But he put those lapses behind him and thereafter he was quite brilliant splitting the defence with his mesmeric runs, accelerating smartly and provided the impetus for many of their moves.

Two long kicks by skipper Wijewardena took play just outside the Trinity twenty-five. Royal were looking dangerous and when the ball came his way, the skipper nonchalantly dropped a goal for Royal to lead 3-0.

Pushpakumara made a superb 30 yard cork-screw run and sent the ball to Maddumapatabendi. then to B.N.R. Fernando who scored almost untouched. The diminutive fly half converted to almost universal relief. (7-3).
Royal employed the rolling maul and gained about 30 yards. A break on the blind side and Warnakulasuriya almost produced a try.

Play now swung to the other end. Jayawardena collected a weak Royal clearance. Pushpakumara linked up and finally the Trinity number 8 Maddumapatabendi powered his way over the line. Pushpakumara obliged and Trinity led 14-3.

Almost at once, Pushpakumara relayed the ball back to the pack. He was joined by Maddumapatabandi who gave a long pass to winger Niroshan Sanjeeva who had a dawdle. The extra points were added by the effervescent fly half and Trinity took lemons at 21-3.Soon after resumption, Pushpakumara went over, but the teams were called back by referee Orville Fernando. Royal then swarmed all over their opponents’ line but were driven back by Jayawardena’s boot. Sandaruwan tried a ploy and the ball was taken over by his skipper Wijewardena who sold a couple of dummies but his pass went astray.

Trinity, who seemed at this stage to take a win for granted, woke up from their slumber and dominated again. A sweeping, move by them ended when centre Ranatunge’s pass ended in the hands of his nonplussed opposite number.

Ranatunga was not to be denied though, and minutes later he went over by the right corner flag, (26-3). A drop kick by Wijewardena reduced the leeway (26-6).

Trinity’s final tries came through the efforts of flanker Milinda Aluvihare and indefatigable number eight Imalka Maddumapatabendi. Both conversions were missed by Pushpakumara who seemed to have feet of clay in the dying moments.

The last time Trinity won the first leg by such a convincing 30 points margin was back in 1996 under the captaincy of Suranga Amerasinghe.
Royal seems powerless to deny Trinity in the second leg two weeks hence. One can only hope that the visitors will put up an equally scintillating performance and not rest on their laurels.

Referee – Oville Fernando
The precursor to the Big one – the CN Simithrarachchi trophy game was won by Royal 6/0.
Other results:
Under 12
Trinity 21 Royal 17
Under 14
Trinity 19 Royal 0
Under 16
Trinity 7 Royal 5

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