74th Bradby Shield: Four in a row for Royal

By Shamseer Jaleel reporting 

from Kandy

Royal 27 points

Trinity 19 points

Referee - Rohan Fernando

It was written on the wall soon after the first leg two weeks ago, but no one thought it will be so close as 8 points difference in the second leg at Pallekelle. Royal had to fire all cylinders in order to get the better of Trinity by 27 points (2 goal, 2 tries, 1 penalty) to 19 points (2 goals 1 try) win in their return leg last weekend.

At the short breather, it was 13/8 favouring Royal.

Royal played well in wet conditions, and their ball handling was of high quality. They opted to work with their heavier set of forwards. Trinity too did circulate the ball with their forwards as their line looked pathetic. Both wingers - Vishwa Ranaraja and Rashen Bandaranayake - hardly touched the ball. Sheik’s aimless kicking was a constant occurrence. His decision making was also very ordinary, trying to attack Royal from his own half without kicking to touch and gaining the territorial advantage. Shabith Feroze led the team well and worked to a plan.

Minutes before the kick-off, heavy rain fell with thunder and lightning, but the skies cleared off. Sasith Siyath scored the first Royal try through a forwards rush, Dulan Gunawardena missed the kick at goal. Dulan put over a 30-meter penalty to extend the lead to 8 to nothing, favouring the Reid Avenue outfit. Trinity hit back strongly through their burly prop forward Praveenda Wijethilake, who had a grand game. Sheik’s conversion hit the upright and went away to keep the three points difference between the two sides. On the stroke of half-time Royal prop Sasith Siyath went over for his second try to take “Lemons” at 13/5.

After the turn around Sasith scored his hat trick with Dulan converting to take the 20/5 lead. Though Royal supporters thought it will be another massacre, it was not to be as Trinity fought back in a never give up attitude. Praveenda Wijethilake who had a grand game scored his second try. Akitha Sakalasooriya taking the field in the later half converted to reduce the deficit 20/12.

Both Lenox Calyanaratne and Fadhil Adhan were “Yellow Carded” for rough play during the early stages of the later half. Trinity scrum half Amith Kulathunga who had a grand game chipped ahead for their speedy winger, Vishwa Ranaraja who dashed nearly 50 meters to touch down under the posts. Sakalasooriya added the extras to close the gap to one point at 20/19.

Maleesha Madymevan’s try and conversion by Maleesha Perera gave Royal a well -earned win plus to keep the unbeaten tag into round two. This is the fourth consecutive year Royal won the shield since 2015. They equalled the record from 2001 to 2004 which was also 4 in a row. Trinity lost out the Under 18 encounter as well played for Simithrarachchi trophy by 13/8.

Isipathana outclass Thurstan

Isipathana handed off Thurstan by 50/7 in their annual 48th Abdul Jabbar memorial rugby encounter, which was worked off at the Havelock Park last weekend.

At the short breather, Isipathana led 31/0. Early in the second half exchanges were even but Thurstan ran out of steam in the last 10 minutes of play, where their opponents scored three tries to cross the half a century mark. (SJ)

Wesley beat Dharmaraja

Wesley College beat Dharmaraja College in their Singer League postponed rugby encounter by 23 points (1 goal, 2 tries, 2 penalties) to 15 points (1 goal, 1 try, 1 penalty) at Longdon Place on Friday (4 May).

At the short breather, Wesley led 18/10. This result will not make any difference to the League rankings, as Rajans will play in the Plate tournament while Wesley will play in the Cup tournament in round 2 starting from this week.