The Sunday Times Sports - Trinity prevail

Finally the Trinity grit prevailed as they lived up to their pre-match reputation to post a 21 points (3 Goals) to 10 points (1 Goal and 1 Penalty) win over Royal in their 62nd Bradby Shield’s First leg at the Royal Complex yesterday. At the short breather Trinity led 7-3

Royal on their part now only could sulk and lick their wounds about the missed opportunities that could have brought them their desired goal when they kept on pressing at the Trinity score line most of the second half.

Trinity “Lions” who were out to accomplish two missions this season. One was to win the “B” division league and get promoted to the top division next year and the other to retain the Bradby Shield which they took into their custody last year. They achieved one of them as they became the “B” division champions and with this 11 points win while going in as the firm favourates to retain the coveted shield once more.

On the other hand Trinity defence was stood good. They gave the Royalist some tough times with some superb cover tackles. Trinity skipper and the national youth player Imalka Maddumapatabendi was outstanding in this sphere of activity.

A shattered Royal rugby side faces an urgent revamp on their strategy very soon if they do have any hopes of regaining the Bradby, two weeks hence. They looked a yard slower than the lads from Kandy and they even missed a try on the line when they knocked on when behind only at 14-10. Royal were under pressure to perform well after their defeat in the hands of Isipathana. Royal’s main weakness was their inability to last the full 70 minutes of play. For Royal their number 8 Diran Warunakulasuriya and flanker Bilal Hassen were outstanding while in attack and defence.

Royal fly half Omar Hassen after missing a 30 metre penalty was on target with another one in the 23rd minute of the game. Five minutes later Trinity hit back through hooker Mahen Wickramasiri who went over for a superb forwards try. Full back Krishan Kirinde added the extra points to take a 7-3 lead at “Lemons”.

Though Royal had a lot of territorial advantage scored in the the 7th minute of the second half through Flanker Bilal Hassen who foxed the entire Trinity defence to plant his try. Full back Ishara Perera was on target to take a 10-7 lead. Five minutes later after a number of moves Hooker Mahen Wickramasiri was in action again when he brushed aside a few Royal defenders to score his second try. Krishan Kirinde was on target to take a 14-10 lead. Then Royal missed a golden opportunity of scoring and taking the lead. Sumindra Lenaduwa missed a pass knocking it on the line which could have been a certain try.

Next year’s skipper Sean Wanigasekera put the icing on the cake when he powered his way through to a fine forwards try and Krishan Kirinde once again was on target to take the first leg by 21-10.