The island’s rugby fraternity bustle with hushed excitement as the platform is being set to host the “blue ribbon” event of the Sri Lanka rugby calendar; the glorious fight for school rugby’s prized possession; “The Bradby Shield”
History
As spirits soar once in anticipation yet again for the 70th installment of this coveted encounter, this two-legged battle which has evolved in its age old traditions gathers momentum around Royal College Colombo and Trinity College Kandy. The illustrious history that carries fourth a rich legacy shall always entertain the fierce-friendly rivalry within these two institutions who share an inseparable bond.
The shield itself donated by one time Royal Principal Mr. E.L. Bradby dedicated it with the sole purpose of developing and enhancing intimacy between the two institutions who have gone on to produce the likes of Ajit Gunawardena, Maiya Gunasekara, Hon. Lakshman Kadirgamar, and Duncan White, a few of the notable alumni of both schools.
In terms of numbers, Trinity take the top honors with 39 wins under their belt while Royal College has been able to secure 30 wins with one encounter ending as a draw.
The past decade has been a celebrated affair for both institutions in the encounter with Royal dominating the early half with a four year winning streak from 2001 to 2004 while Trinity continued to maintain a three year streak from 2011. The second leg of the 2011 encounter was a prophesy of what lies ahead and together with its glamour and passion, envision a memorable diamond jubilee.
“For the Blue and Gold” Royal Confident of a Possible Upset
The side from Colombo 7 lead by the third year coloursman Nimshan Jayawardena will look to give his heart and soul together with his team to lay their hands on what they let go four years back. With a season of 3 wins and a singular loss, Royal look very confident ahead of their big challenge. They were set back early in their season opener, as mistakes cost them against tough opponent Isipathana.
Reacting from the loss, the Colombo lads fought in gallantly against Wesley College to win back stakes having trailed 3-15 at half to a final score of 22-20. Another convincing yet close encounter was against St. Joseph’s College where Royal managed to escape with scores 14-11. Royal continued dominance as they went on to bulldoze the hapless DS side to a 60-08 win last week prior to the Bradby which is no doubt a morale booster ahead of the big game this weekend.
There cannot be any person other than the Royal skipper Nimshan Jayawardena who would understand the true meaning of a Bradby Shield victory. Nimshan who learnt and nurtured the basics of the oval shaped game at Trinity College Kandy before moving to Royal College will understand the true value of the prize at stake as he leads his team to confront the Lions this weekend.
With only three other coloursmen in his side with the rest being a bench who are yet to taste the Bradby action, he will need to play a key role in the Blue Gold’s game play. Over the years, Royal has been a side which relies on their forwards and this year too there has been no exception. This time on the contrary the Royalists have a fresh forward lineup and consist of an experienced set of loose forwards. Coloursman Yohan Perera who would be at Flank will need step up in his duties to power up the Royal front line with hooker Supun Warnakulasooriya who’s been exceptional this season.
Coming to the three-quarters in this forward-concentrated game play of Reid Avenue, skipper Nimshan will be hovering around the players in the line while fly half Ashok Wijeyakumar will play vital in their three-quarter breakthroughs. The 1st leg of the shield will be a great platform for the Royal three quarters to outshine their forwards as they have not yet been of contention so far in the season.
This year’s Royal game is a heavily dependent on their skipper as he shoulders the kicking duties for the side as well. That being said, Royal will need to rally their heavy forwards straight to counter the fast running Trinity three quarters who would look to seep through the gaps at any given opportunity. New coach Sanath Martis will be looking into all these factors as he infuses this new team with confidence to live up to the expectations of over twenty thousand proud Royalists.
Trinity all out for the Rare Four in a Row
Donning the Red, Gold, Blue jersey for the fourth consecutive year, Colorsman Tarinda Ratwatte will lead the Lions for the 70th Bradby Shield encounter. The elusive fly-half turned Center Ratwatte, has been entrusted with this singular honour and having become the highest scorer of the schools rugby format so far, a massive responsibility is landed on his shoulders.
The season build up for the school on the hill can be defined to be a complete opposite of the Royal’s run up. Trinity started off their season on a high note and later relegated towards mediocrity by their standards. A convincing and triumphant win with a 60 points aggregate vs DS, supplied the Lions the adrenaline for the season. It followed a win against the Joes at home; that too ending on a high with scores reading 34-17. Despite these tall victories, the Lions went down fighting to Isipathana at CR & FC where they encountered their first defeat. Last week’s encounter against Wesley under heavy rainy conditions at Pallekelle, ended 15-09 to Trinity.
Ratwatte, inherits a generation that produced rugby captains to the Trinity outfit with both his father and grandfather previously leading the Lions; his leadership marks a significant position on the history books of the Bradby. Moving to the position of inside centre, Ratwatte had stood up and taken his place as the driving force behind the Trinity attack. Having witnessed triumphs previously in three encounters, he would go all out to retain the title at home under his name.
Trinity has been famed for fielding in a balanced outfit every season and this year’s team justifies this statement. With Ratwatte having the services of seven third year players and five coloursmen in the side, Trinity can be named as one of the most experienced lineups.
The boisterous deputy skipper and fourth year coloursmen, Basu Karunathileke on the front line would be making sure that nothing comes forth in voiding a victory in his final year on the field. With him, as support will be the two flanks Umesh Samarasekara and Dushan Perera who combine perfectly with the lucrative #8 Isuru Rangala.
As they form in a solid forward attack, Trinity’s artillery lies on their backs. When it comes to scoring, the Lions have a lot to exploit from their backs which is enforced with two front runners, Lochana Girihagama and Saranga Gunathilake who can run through the gaps even at crucial instances. The new found fly half for Trinity College, Thushila Perera who is cast a standout from the stereotype quarter backs, has been carrying on quite efficiently in conjugation with his skipper.
On the outset, they have their ever-reliable Sanchana Shiek in full-back who would be all in support in attack as well as pose a great threat in defense out there on the deep side. So far the Trinity three quarter line has been underperforming in keeping with their capabilities and presumably they shall not retreat over the heavy fanfare and pressure that would surely come at them this weekend.
Just as in the Royal’s case, Trinity’s inter-dependency on their skipper is a factor which would looked out as the team’s attack revolves around their skipper. With an equipped pack of forwards and speedsters in the back division, Trinity College compile a complete package as they go in for battle this Saturday at the Complex. The veteran Kiwi coach Neil Footie having coached three outfits for Bradby wins would want his fourth consignment to end up on the winning side as well.
Conclusion
As the days come closer to for this magnificent mêlée, Trinity shall go in to this 70th edition as slight favorites over their counterparts Royal College. With that being said, a prediction of a possible result will only be idiocy as nobody can anticipate the mettle of men on the day.
Squads for the Bradby
Royal:
Nimshan Jayawardane, Aaqil Jamaldeen, Aerosh Elikewela, Akash Iddawela, Ashok Vijeykumar, Ayendra Subasinghe, Bhanuka Gamage, Chandula Jayasundara, Daniel Gunasekaram, Dewnaka Jayakody, Dinitg Gunawardane, Gawesh Yapa, Gayal Jayasinghe, Harith Lokugamage, Ishfaaq Nazir, Keshan Peiris, Minura Punchihewa, Nadun Jayawardene, Nikhila Gunadeera, Pasindu Perera,Shawket Lahir, Supun Warnakulasooriya, Thivanka Perera, Umesh Madushan, Vinith Gunawardene
Trinity:
Anuradha Karunathilake/ Nethmal Sakalasooriya/ Sanka Athulgama/ Nathan Ching/ Shalindra Alahakoon/ Buddhika Dodantenne/Pasindu Hemal/Suren Karunatileke/Rahul Karunathilake/Emesh Rangala/Chamod Dissanayaka / Naweed Seneviratna/Umesh Samarasekara/Rajith Samarasekara/Dushan Perera/ Nipun Alahakoon/Isuru Rangala/Gazali Ismail/ Sanushka Abeywickrema/ Nagitha Ridimaliyadde/ Thushila Perera / Tarinda Ratwatte/Shehan Elory/Ryan Weerakoon / Lochana Girihagama/DInuk Ratwatte/Rukshan Sasmin/Traveen Weerasooriya / Sanchana Shiek/Nishan Anthony Hadunge
ThePapare.com wishes both teams the very best – as the winner may well be Rugby.
