Down memory lane 

• The Bradby encounter 50 years ago in 1968 – that famous Royal win

The Royal vs. Trinity matches, known to the Rugby fraternity of Royal and Trinity as the Bradby Shield, has very special memories, particularly to those who have represented their schools and the present and old boys of both esteemed Institutions. The encounters in 1968, 50 years ago, is of special significance not only because it was 50 years ago but the spirit, determination, and the commitment put in by the lads of the two teams either to regain or to retain the Bradby Shield was extraordinary.

The Trinity Team confident as ever having reappointed Ajith Abeyratne who had a successful 16-3 and 17-3 victory in the previous year (1967) was beaming with confidence. Trinity took the field being unbeaten in 1968. Royal on the other hand was led by C.R. de Silva commonly known as “Bulla” and had a team that was determined to come in as underdogs and teach a lesson to the Trinitians. Many would have expected Trinitians who had almost the same number of Colorsmen of the previous year with a few “Trinity Lions” to retain the Shield without much difficulty. At the end of the 60 minutes (then playing time) at Longdon Place on 8 July in 1968 it was a different story.

Royal on the other hand had a good season having lost only one match to St. Anthony’s. Royal started the season with a convincing victory over a much fancied Isipathana outfit and ran on to the field promising money’s worth for the spectators and something to remember for many more years to come. From the word go Royal dominated all aspects of the game and commenced their scoring in the 12th minute. Royal had eight points on the board in the first ten minutes of play from a goal, try and a penalty and was leading 13-0 at the short breather. In 1968, a try and penalty was awarded three points each while the conversion was two points. 

After the break, the best of the tries out of the four was scored by Royal and was planted by Centre Jagath Fernando who intercepted a pass from the Trinity line and ran 40 metres to score an unconverted try. Later in the second half Tilak de Silva put over a penalty to add the balance score to end the game.

As usual, Trinity did not allow Royal an easy game but at the end Royal scored (two goals – 10 points, two tries – six points, and one penalty – three points) to a total of 19 points. Incidentally, this was the highest score in Bradby history till that time though later the record was broken.

Trinity had some outstanding players such as Ajith Abeyratne, Shanthi Kumar, Furllounge and Isvan Omar. Trinity made a gamble which did not pay off by bringing in Shafi Jayanudeen, regular full back to the centre position. Manning the last line of defence was new comer Nugawela and he had a demanding time coping with the Royal three quarters that broke through the Trinity line time and again and the short kicks behind the line. Royal won almost all the set pieces L.A.I. de Silva and Fred Perera doing the line out work and Puntha Kumar striking faster in the scrums.

Up front, Bulla and Tilak gave the much needed fire to the Royal pack and Tilak made some superb conversions making three kicks out of five during the match. Royal three quarters were at their best running circles around the Trinity defence. Royal half combination of Malik Samarawickrama and Harin Malwatte were far superior to Trinity halves combination of Buthpitiya and Ismail. The Reid Avenue outfit got the line working smoothly with the momentum required for the three quarters to penetrate. Nippy scrum half, Malik Samarawickrama from the base of the scrum was unstoppable. He was omnipresent with excellent service at the Base which gave the required space for fly half Malwatte and centres Jagath Fernando and Sanath de Silva to penetrate for the fast wingers to do the running.

Whilst the score being 19-0, one should not forget about the determination shown by the Trinitians, under the leadership of Ajith Abeyratne, who played their hearts out until the end of the game. They never showed any sign of cracking up, having their minds on the second leg to square up the score for the defeat in Colombo. It was a major Royal victory and the fans were overjoyed with the biggest margin so far. Sports page headlines of the national papers the next day flashed out in by bold Letters “Trinity Lions really tamed at Longdon Place”, “The sweeping 19-0 victory with effortless ease”. 

The situation was not going to be same as in Colombo for the second leg. Two weeks later, the return Bradby leg played in Peradeniya attracted a large number of Royalists; much more than the usual supporters that the Bradby Shield. Trinity had never lost a match at the Peredeniya Grounds and they were not going to lose in their own den.

It is rarely that the Bradby is “bagged” in the first leg. Royal knew that it is not going to be easy knowing the Trinitians too well. Trinity would certainly go for a victory and see if they could overtake the margin in Colombo to retain the Bradby.

For Royal, Bulla’s boys on the other hand, knew that the conditions in Kandy favoured the Trinitians but were determined to have victories in both encounters. The Royal supporters were overjoyed when Royal scored almost in the first 3 minutes with winger Dilanjan Soysa scoring near the corner flag. Tilak de Silva made the difficult conversion to add the extend points. It must be noted that Royal scored the first try and played the rest of the game with only 14 players with Indrakumar Jayawardena being taken out with a dislocated shoulder. At the time the rules did not permit any replacements and if one had to lose to a player due to an injury they have to continue with the game with less players or continue the game with injured players.

Royal had everything possible to try and repeat their performance in Colombo but was not successful with Trinity countering every move made by Royal after the initial try. Trinity had the major share of the possession and time and again Trinity kept on attacking the Royal goal line, but was prevented by the determined Royalists. Later in the first half Trinity got three points on the table and from that time Trinity played with much determination to make a victory out of the second leg.

The second half was something to remember for the Royalists for their determination to defend and for the Trinitians for their relentless efforts to score and win the game in Kandy as a consolation. Royal played the entire game with 14 players and amongst them two injuries. Fly half, Harin Malwatte played with a concussion and full back Nirmal Hettiarachchi limping from one end to the other to try and counter the exploitation of the Trinitians with his injury. Royal had very little options even to strengthen the full back since they were playing with almost 12 players. Trinity was over anxious to score and threw away a few chances. In the dying stages of the game, Trinitian Shafi Jainudeen attempted a neat drop goal in front of the posts which would have given the win to Trinity but scrum half Malik Samarawickrema was present when he charged it down by leaping high in the air. Royal won 5-3. Five points made out of one converted try against one penalty for Trinity.

For the Royalists it was a matter of continuous efforts defending the goal line and the leadership of Bulla was something that kept the Royalists determined to carry another victory. There was relief for the Royalists hearing the final whistle to end the game and the season. Trinity lost their first game at Peradeniya on 22 July, 1968.

When the players of the two teams meet even now they always talk of not the first leg but the second leg of the 1968 Bradby, which brought about the true spirit and determination the game of rugby must be played with. Most of the players in both teams ended up playing “A” Division club rugby and went on to the national team. However, this match remains something that will always remain in their minds. For the Royal outfit this will be the best game they have ever played.

(By a 1968 Royal rugby player)