An inspired second half display by the Royal College saw them take a one point lead back to Colombo, winning the first leg of the 71st Bradby Shield 23 (3T 1C 2P) – 22 (3T 2C 1P) in Pallekelle.
The score line might not do justice; this was one instance where it did not for Royal. The Reid Avenue boys mauled Trinity in the opening quarter of an hour but were left shell shocked as the opportunistic hosts stole two tries from under their noses. Banuka Gamage staged a comeback late in the first half and the visitors continued in their skipper’s footsteps adding two more tries in the second half which left the ‘five in a row’ hanging by a few fingers.
Both sides were on the back of two contrasting wins; Trinity surviving 22-17 against Science away from home and Royal brushing aside arch rivals S.Thomas’ 52-00. With that domineering win Royal after four years came into the Bradby Shield encounter as favourites.
Royal didn’t disappoint the ‘Bradby Express’ fans, asserting their authority from the opening whistle, reversing what Trinity had done to them in the past encounters. They came up short a couple of times with Trinity defense going on overdrive but the moment the hosts came into the opposition half they were punished dearly. An errant line-out throw by Supun Warnakulasuriya was picked up by Anuka Boyagoda who thieved his way past defenders to break the deadlock. Saranga Gunathilake added the extras giving Trinity a surprise lead. (07-00)
It took 20 minutes for Royal College to earn their reward as Ovin Askey put over an easy penalty making it (07-03) Saranga Gunathilake had the chance to cancel out Askey’s penalty but the ball bounced off the near post, away from danger.
Another Royal attack, 20 meters away from the try line and Trinity’s second row Rahul Karunathilake did a ‘Sterling Mortlock’, intercepting a pass, motoring down 80 meters, leaving a few Royal defenders in his wake for a memorable try. Gunathilake again hit the post with the coversion. (12-03)
At this point Royal shoulders were just about to slack; having being on the receiving end of what even the Trinitians would call undeserved tries against them. In steps captain Banuka Gamage, who invites himself through a gaping Trinity midfield to score under the posts. Askey put over the conversion to reduce the lead to just two points going into half time. (12-10)
Whatever words came out from Sanath Martis during halftime turned into points with Royal scoring inside the first minute of second half. Ashok seeing the empty space behind the Trinity defense opted for a cross-field kick which Mahima Gamage read to perfection chasing it down to go over the whitewash. Askey’s kick was no good but Royal took the lead, a lead which they didn’t let slip. (12-15)
While the pre-match talk was about the dominant Royal pack, it was the Royal backs who forced the limelight on themselves as quick ball handling spreading down the line saw Feroze go over for his second; kick unsuccessful. (12-20)
With Royal increasing the lead, the pressure started to show as Thusila Perera botched a penalty and to make matters worse for the hosts Askey extended the lead to double figures with a penalty of his own. (12-23)
Thusila managed to slot in a penalty in his second attempt (15-23) and Geshan Pethiyagoda’s try under the posts for Trinity College set up a thrilling final six minutes. It was a story of missed penalties in those six minutes, as Thusila missing a chance to win it sandwiched between two Askey penalties; the latter the final kick of the match.
It may well be a one point lead but a lead nonetheless. A statement of intent in the Hill Country as both sides will look back, draw comparisons to the 2011 encounter, one which Trinity would love to repeat; a mistake Royal would be hell-bent never to repeat.
ThePapare Man of the Match: Bhanuka Gamage (Royal Skipper)
Scorers
Trinity College
Tries – Anuka Boyagoda, Rahul Karunathilake, Geshan Pethiyagoda
Pen – Thusila Perera
Con – Saranga Gunathilake, Thusila Perera
Royal College
Tries – Banuka Gamage, Sabith Feroze, Mahima Gamage
Pen – Ovin Askey (2)
Con – Ovin Askey
Match Replay
