Trinity out to bounce back but history favours Royal

Trinity Squad : Aveesha Priyankara, Anuka Boyagoda, Shalindra Alahakoon, Sanushka Abeywickrama, Rahul Karunanayake (Captain), Thushila Perera (Vice Captain), Nathan Chan, Geeshan Pethiyagoda, Anjana Bandara, Avishka Shiek, Ayesha Edirisinghe, Melan Maliesh, Pasan Samarawickrama, Diluksha Dange, Sajana Sangasinghe, Rishen Madena, Shadhi Dean, Lashan Wijesuriya, Rukshan Dhammapala, Shaveen Ekanayake, Rashen Bandaranayake, Naveen Devadson, Woren Weerakoon, Pubudu Fernanado, Parinda Wijethilake, Aqthab Ramzeen, Kanchana Wimalasiri, Kanesha Alwis, Charitha Nanayakkara, Hasiru Waliwatte, Keshawa Palayangoda, Amith Kulatunge, Patric Jayasundera, Mohammed Ikram and Mahadhi Abdulla

Royal squad: Mohamed Nabeel, Ayesh Maduranga, Dhammika de Silva, Lahin Attygalle, Hamza Reza, Azmir Fajudeen, Shavinda Viduranga, Ashen Fernando, Sasitha Siyath, Fadhil Adahan, Abishek Jayawardena, Harith Lokugamage, Ibrahim Barie, Pasindu Amarasinghe, Chamal Rajapakse, Maleesha Madhumewan, Asel Rodrigo, Samadhi Induwara, Nikhila Gunadeera (Captain), Harith Lokugamage, Nikhil de Silva, Ashok Vijekumar, Orvin Aaskey, Lennox Calyaneratne, Lennox Calyaneratne, Mahima Gamage, Andrew de Silva, Thulaib Hassen, Sabith Feroze, Shaqir Nawfer, Mahima Gamage, Nikhil George, Shenuka Perera, Andrew de Silva and Thulaib Hassen

Bradby second leg preview

By Shamseer Jaleel

Trinity are ready to bounce back after their first leg defeat to Royal, but history favours the Reid Avenue school with Bradby Shield’s last three decades plus showing the first leg winners in Colombo taking away the Shield. Both schools will battle it out with some fast open rugby (if weather permits) at the Trinity College Rugby stadium in Pallekelle on 14 May.

The Under 20 game is schedule to kick off at 4 p.m. 

The Bradby Shield was first offered by then Royal Principal, E.L. Bradby, in 1945. Trinity was administered by C.E. Simthrachchi who offered the Under 18 (then Under 17) trophy. Trinity lead the tally with 39 to Royal 31 with one game tied. The tied encounter took place in 1992 where both the legs scores were level on 3 all and nil all. 

Royal is led by junior national player, Nilkila Gunadheera, who is an excellent player in loose play plus master in five meter scrum to go over the visitors’ line in scoring number of tries. He led his team remarkably well with some excellent play which split the Trinity defence a number of times. Their forward Ayesh Maduranga and hooker Fajudeen too are class acts and as always will be a major threat for the Trinitians. Their place kicker Orvin Askey at fly half berth scored many points for the Reid Avenue school this season through his place kicking. His accuracy will take Royal through with success yet another year. Their winger Shabith Feroze is lightning pace at full gear and will be tough to be stopped. 

Royal is coached by former Isipathana and CR & FC player, Sanath Martis, who is also the present Junior National Coach who proved in the past his success whichever institution he coached. His deputy is Dushantha Lewke. This season Royal beat D.S. Senanayake (36/10), Wesley (17/14), lost to Thomians (24/15), drew with Joes 27 a piece and beat Trinity (22/17) in their first leg; currently the Reid Avenue school is placed at number 2 in the group behind the Thomians. 

Trinity is led by junior national player Rahul Karunathilake, the lanky second rower who missed out on the first leg but will be bouncing back in the second leg, leading his team to bring back the trophy to Kandy.

Trinity too poses some quality players in their rank. They have the best set of flankers made up of rock solid Rukshan Dhammapala and Shade Dean. Both are excellent defenders with their superb cover tackles which kept many players away from scoring freely. Dhammpala could play as a number 8 as well. Winger Geshan Bandaranyake and full back Shanushka Abeywickrema both are top class players who performed well for the “Lions” this season. Trinity is likely to bring Lashan Wijesuriya in the starting lineup. Regular fly half Thusila Perera who led the team in the first leg is a doubtful starter due to his fractured finger. 

Trinity is coached by former Kandy SC and Sri Lanka skipper, Sean Wijesinghe who will be concentrating more on their forwards, with Saliya Kumara, another experienced sevens player, looking after the three quarter line. Trinity beat Wesley (7/5), Joes (41/14), D.S. Senanayake (65/0), lost to Thomians (20/23) and Royal (17/22). At present Trinity are placed at number 3 at the end of the first round. 

Royal’s strength is their mobile forwards and their rolling maul tactics which needs to be sorted out by Trinity if they are to come on top. Trinity heads with their three quarter line. If given space to run Trinity three quarters will be in top gear and will floor the Reid Avenue School. Trinity 1979 skipper J.V. Tissera will be the Chief guest at this occasion.

One of the leading referees in the country, Aruna Rankothge, will officiate this second leg. Rankothge has been in the trade for the last two decades and is an ex-International Panel, Ex-ARFU (Asian Rugby Football Union) referee who will be blowing his third Bradby encounter.