Tuesday Sep 24, 2024
Tuesday Sep 24, 2024
Friday, 19 May 2017 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Shamseer Jaleel reporting
from Kandy
The first leg of the 73rd Bradby Shield encounter will take place on 20 May at the Trinity College Rugby Stadium, Pallekale. This encounter will be considered as a tournament game which will also decide the fate of the Singer League 2017 – whether it will return to Kandy or walk back to Reid Avenue after a lapse of two years. For the record Trinity last won the Singer League in 1987 under Tyrell Rajapakse while Royal clinched the trophy in 2015 under Bhanuka Gamage.
The Under 20 encounter will kick off at 4.30 p.m.
This year’s outcome is expected to be a close affair as both teams look even, the difference is that Royal possesses a fine three-quarter line which is penetrative when compared to the previous year’s outfit, while Trinity forwards look rock-solid in defence as well as in attack with their mobile set of forwards with a high quality fitness level where they could last more than 80 minutes of play.
Trinity team who had a good run in the 1st round looked clear favourites for the Bradby with their forwards and backline blending well. 
Their forwards were mobile with Shaveen Ekanayake, Avishka Priyankara, Rishen Madena, Pasan Samarawickrema, Kaneesha Alwis, Keshawa Palayangoda and skipper Nathan Chang dominating in set pieces and loose play. They were fast on breakdowns, their back line was equally brilliant with scrum half Anuka Boyagoda leading the way.
Their centre combination of Diluksha Dange and Warren Weerakoon showed their penetrative power with hard running, finding gaping holes in opponent defence. The second choice centre, Naveen Rajaratnam too is brilliant. Wingers Amith Kulatunge and Ghavurava Bandara too are speedy runners.
It was unfortunate to see Trinity not having their first choice of last line of defence, Avishka Shiek and line out jumper cum flanker Mohamed Akram, both missing out due to injuries in the entire second round. The Bandaranayake brothers too are fine players, both are good under the high ball with safe collection. Unfortunately Trinity will miss the service of Rishen Madena who is down with fever and will be out for two weeks, likely ready for the return leg in Colombo.
Trinity was tested only by the Zahirians in the first round finally overcoming 36/26. They overcame Wesley, Science and Prince of Wales with ease. Zahira and against St Thomas’ too they had to fight hard. In round two after one month of break it was noted Trinity had lost their momentum. In the 1st game they were stunned by the Peterites 13/15 and against St Joseph’s they had to fight hard to beat them finally 30/25. In the final game before the 1st leg, Trinity playing good rugby prevailed over the defending champions, Isipathana 15/10 at Pallekelle showing very good defense which kept Pathana away from scoring freely. It was indeed a morale boosting win for Trinity and a good warm up for the Bradby and the Singer League decider this week-end.
On the other hand Royal is a side that had improved from every game. They always keep their performance for the latter half. This season there are plenty of matches to show as examples for their superb second half rallies. Season openers against St. Joseph’s, St. Anthony’s, St. Thomas’ and Wesley are good examples to show their superb second half rally.
They contained St. Peter’s to beat them, a team that defeated defending champions Isipathana and only unbeaten side in first round Trinity. Their closest one was against Dharmaraja up in the hills. If not for skipper Orvin Askey’s drop goal, the Rajans would have won the game.
The Royal 1st XV squad sustained many injuries during the season, hence Coach Sanath Martis had no options but to rotate the players. Skipper Orvin Askey finally settled down at fly half position. Lennox Calyanaratne, one time fly half, plays as number 8 and Nikhil George, one time wing, plays as open side flanker and second row.
Royal forwards with their key weapon rolling maul are unstoppable. Hooker Hamza Reza so far has played an excellent season for the Reid Avenue outfit. Centre Janidu Dilshan is in cracking form, unstoppable when given space and the opposition will be in deep trouble. Scrum half Nikhil Silva too is a penetrative runner and dangerous player.
Martis, a tough coach, is a very good reader of the game over a number of years at school level. He not only coached St. Peter’s and Royal to many outstanding sides but also at national level (Under 20).
Trinity is coached by former New Zealand Sevens sensation, Lote Raikabullah – the most feared sevens player from New Zealand after Jonah Lomu. He is a good reader of the game giving ample opportunity to the bench whenever possible which gave the youngsters much-needed exposure at the centre. He has had a good season so far with Trinity, losing out only one game will be expecting to win both the league and Bradby.
In the history of the Bradby since the 1980s except for in 2011, teams which won the 1st leg in Kandy have won the Bradby, even if they lost the return leg in Colombo. Trinity won on 10 occasions (1981, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1991, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2005, 2013) while Royal won on seven occasions (1989, 1993, 2001, 2003, 2007, 2009, 2015).
Trinity 1980 Rugby skipper and 1981 (cricket and badminton) captain Tikiri Ellepola will grace the occasion.
Royal: Himantha Hirushan, Hamza Reza, Rishmal Fernando, Samadhi Induwara, Sasitha Siyath, Dilanga Rodrigo, Nikhil George, Maleesha Madumevan, Lennox Calyanaratne, Nikhil de Silva, Ovin Askey, Shabith Feroze, Thulaib Hassen, Janidu Dilshan, Pasindu Fernando, Mohamed Shakir.
Trinity: Aveesha Priyankara, Hasiru Weliwatte, Shaveen Ekanayake, Rishen Madena, Pasan Samarawickrema, Keshava Palayangoda, Bevishan Wijewickrema, Kaneesha Alwis, Nathan Yee, Anuka Boyagoda, Akitha Sakalasuriya, Lashan Wijesuriya, Amith Kulatunga, Warren Weerakoon, Diluksha Dange, Naveen Rajaratnam, Reshan Bandaranayake, Rashen Bandaranayake.
Leading referee Dinka Peiris will officiate this game which will be his third consecutive Bradby first leg which shows his consistency being rewarded by the Referees’ Society.
