Bradby first leg to decide fate of Singer League

Trinity forward Avishka Priyankara  on the attack against Isipathana with support coming  his way from Anuk Boyagoda

By Shamseer Jaleel 

With Trinity and Royal College both winning their respective matches against Isipathana and Wesley College, the outcome of the first leg of the Bradby in Pallekelle on 20 May will decide the fate of the Singer League 2017. 

So the 73rd Bradby Shield encounter is going to be a big occasion for sponsors Singer Sri Lanka as it will be a double win for them, having been involved in school rugby for more than two decades and now serving as the Bradby’s sponsor as well. 

Easy win for Peterites 

St. Peter’s College easily handled tournament dark horses Zahira College, dispatching them 43-16 in Maradana. St. Peter’s, the giant killers of the season, is the only side to down both top teams in the league - Isipathana and Trinity. This was the second win for the Bambalapitiya lads in round two. 

Though Zahira took an early lead through three penalties, the Peterites hit back through two tries. The one scored by Dayath Fernando was a solo effort where he covered well over 50 meters to have his team heading into the break leading 12-9. 

After the turnaround the Peterites scored three consecutive tries to down the lads from Zahira who could manage only one try in the latter half. 

Joes win Lady Jayathilake Shield 

In form Winger Sachith Silva and Chathura Senenviratne put St. Joseph’s College on top with some cohesive rugby which the Mount Lavinia lads did not have an answer to. 

After leading 26-7 at the breather, the Joes went on to dominate proceedings but lacked the finishing touches after enjoying a first half lead. They made a number of errors which allowed the Thomians to score one try but the Joes’ defence was rock solid and prevented any more. 

Royal outclass Wesley 

Royal recorded a comfortable win over Wesley, which dashed the latter’s league dream. Hamza Reza, who is having a remarkable season, scored the first Royal try which was replied by three Wesley penalties. 

After the turnaround, like many other Royal games the outfit from Reid Avenue got into top gear, scoring at will. They first scored through Nikil De Silva before a Janindu Dilshan try gave them a comfortable 21-9 lead. 

Though a Karunaratne try brought Wesley within striking range, Reza remained unstoppable, scoring his second try of the evening to give his team a 35-19 win and look forward for the first leg of the Bradby next weekend in the hills. 

Trinity edge out Pathana in thriller 

Trinity kept their league title hopes alive when they edged out the Green Shirts 15-10 in a tense game in Pallekelle. This was the Trinitians first win against the Havelock Town school after four long years. 

Trinity, led by Nathan Yee, was outstanding in defence, never allowing the Pathana three quarters to have a field day. They kept things very tight and close with their forwards. The Kandy school scored two quick tries within the space of 15 minutes which floored the Isipathana outfit who were under pressure to score fast but failed. 

They gained a number of opportunities but they opted to go for tries instead of a kick at goal. Their scrum-half Harith Bandara stood out for them with a solo try which saw him cover more than 50 meters. For Trinity Avishka Priyankara, who had a grand game, was lightning fast for a forward on attack and unstoppable with several of his moves. Trinity fly half Lashan Wijesuriya had a grand outing with his boot. He gained much-needed territorial advantage for Trinity to attack from their opponents’ half for most of the game.