Close encounter expected at 76th Bradby Shield first leg today

By Shamseer Jaleel

Disappointed Royal after their knock-out blow against Isipathana in the final game will be coming very strong when they lock horns with Trinity College in their First leg of the 76th Bradby Shield encounter which will be played off at the Royal Sports Complex today (20 August).

Kick-off is scheduled at 4.15 p.m.

Unfortunately, Royal, the home team could not field an outfit for their Under 18 game which is played for C.E. Simithrarachchy Trophy which started in 1978 between the two schools. 

A loss to Isipathana in their last game will put the Reid Avenue outfit more hungry for this trophy on offer who will be all out to end on the winning side and have a slight edge when they travel to the Central Hills in two weeks for the second encounter at Pallekele.

Royal’s appointed skipper, Harsith Peiris is injured and his place will be taken by cracking Centre, Kaveen Sasanga. Royal did well in the season up to the Trinity league encounter. Their star player this year being their full back, Nabeel Yehya, simply he can destroy any side on his day. His booming kicks to touch gained much territory for Royal to attack from their opposition half. His kick at goal too was with a high success rate. Hooker, Danuja Samaratane and flanker, Abdullah Yusuf will be expected to perform well, one of the best tacklers of the school arena. 

Both Danuja and Abdullah did not play up to their expected standards in their last game against the Green Shirts. Reid Avenue Schools main weapon is their rolling maul where the Green Shirts encountered it beautifully and got the better of them. Trinity will also need to work around this department if they want to settle fast. Also, the line out will be vital with experienced Danuja expected to perform well in this department. Hasanka Higgoda is also a nippy player who could fit in many positions for the Royal outfit.

Royal went down by a solitary point to Trinity in the league encounter where the lads from Kandy scored during injury time to edge them out 20/21. Royal beat Antonians 22/12, Kingswood 53/0, Thomians 20/8, Joes 17/3, Wesley 21/16 and lost their last league game to Isipathana 15/21 which not only cost them the game but also the league title which they were going for a record four in a row.

Royal outfit is coached by former CR and FC, Kandy SC and National player, Dushantha Lewke while former Dharmaraja and national player, Radhika Hettiarachchi is the Assistant coach of the outfit. Paul Thomas, the former St Mary’s Bambalapitiya player and one of the leading former referees is the Team Manager.

Trinity is led by dashing Centre, Lithmal Moragoda who is a fantastic athlete as well for the Up-Country School.  Prop forward, Loshika Wijekoon will be his deputy. Trinitians will have some class acts in their outfit which consists of players such as Jayageeth Basnayake, Harith Samaraweera, Sheveen Premaratne, Anuhas Kodituwakku, Sheshan Zakir and Aathab Manzil. Their full back, Kovida Wickremasinghe too in fine form though missed out last two matches due to illness has recovered now fully. Trinitians main strength is their speedy three-quarter line.

Trinity Head Coach is former Havies and national XV a side player, Kavinda Jayasena with Thusitha de Silva being his deputy. Hard working Old Boy of the school, Rajindra Gamage who has been working round the clock is their Team Manager.

The encounter which is expected to be a Royal forwards vs Trinity three quarter line with the hosts holding a slight edge playing at home plus coming after a defeat. Encounter will be refereed by former Nugawela Central rugby player and one of the best this season, Ishanka Abeykoon. TMO facility will be in operation for this vital encounter.

Trinity: Thenuk Fernando, Kaveesha Edama, Loshika Wijekoon, Jayageeth Basnayake, Thisanga Dissanayake, Harih Samaraweera, Shamendra Dissanayake, Chamedra Dhanapala, Sheveen Premaratne, Anuhas Kodituwakku, Upek Gammudali, Lithmal Moragoda, Abdul Kaleel, Bashara Wijesinghe, Aathab Manzil, Sheshan Zakir, Kovida Wickremasinghe, Ashen Wijesooriya, Rushen Bandaranayake, Senula Alexander, Yasiru Ariyawansa, Bihindu Pananwala, Ravin Ilangaratne, Venuka Kumaraga, Lakindu Herath, Sachindu Wanasekera and Amdan Faizal.

Royal: Kavinash Srikanth, Dhanuja Samararatne, Shenal Adikaram, Yehan Weerasooriya, Rahil Wijesekera, Abdullah Yoosuf, Yovinda Ethulgala, Randul Bandara, Hasanka Higgoda, Thivan Perera, Pasindu Heshan, Thevinu Saparamadu, Philio Calyanaratne, Kaveen Sasanga, Nabeel Yehya, Thineth Gamage, Hafeez Akram, Supun Gamlath, Binuda Malalgama, Thavir Hassen, Idrak Farook, Navin Perera, Idris Farook, Harsith Peiris and Duljaya Gamanayake.

Referee Ishanka Abeykoon