Trinity can stun Royal

75th Bradby Shield

By Shamseer Jaleel reporting from Kandy

After a long break for almost six weeks, the much awaited 75th Bradby Shield encounter between Trinity College and Royal College will be worked off at the Trinity College Rugby Stadium in Pallekele on 1 June.

Kick off time for the 1st XV encounter is scheduled at 4.15 p.m. Proceedings will commence at 1.45 p.m., with the Under-16 encounter followed by the Under-18 event, played for the Simithrarachchi Trophy.

With extra security checks to be done at the venue, an early entry by spectators will be helpful for a smooth flow of the game.

This year’s encounter is expected to be a close affair, unless something extraordinary occurs on the day. This season, both teams look even. Trinity forwards showcase an improved game with Nimesh Ekanayake, Niranjan Vitharana and Mahdi Abdullah outstanding. With the injury to Abdullah, they were forced to find alternatives. Burly number 8 Rahul Danaraj, who stood out in their opening game against Zahira before an injury forced him out for later games, will be fit for this vital encounter. With Lenox Calyanaratne recovering from injury, this should give the Trinitians an option to use Rahul as a second rower in the second half. 

Deputy skipper of the side, Dhirendra Ratwatte, will operate as a flanker. His father, Chanuka Ratwatte, played for Trinity in 91-92. Chethiya Pananwela has stood out as their line-out jumper and has had a grand season. Operating from the base, Tehan Karunanayake should be lightning fast in feeding his three-quarters. 

Miranga Subasinghe, who will operate as a fly half of the side, is expected to be on top form with his kicks at goal, points which could be vital in the end. They also have one of the best running centres in Harsha Samarasinghe. He stood out this season with some fine runs, which caught many sides wrong-footed. Both wingers, Amith Kulatunge and Geeshapa Kulatunge, are the main strength for the Up Country lads. Both are good at attack, with lightning speed plus rock solid in defence, not allowing many pass them that easily.

Full Back of the side is skipper Reshan Bandaranayake. Without a doubt, he has been the playmaker of the side, with some fine tactical moves in his play, while his leadership was a class above the rest among the top division schools. He created many gaps, which helped the Trinity three-quarters to attack. He actually comes in as a fourth generation Trinitian. His great grand-father, Jinadasa Hulugalle Bandaranayake captained Trinity in cricket in 1919, winning his “Lion” while representing his school in Rugby Football in 1918 and 1919. His grandfather, Ananda Hulugalle Bandaranayake, captained Trinity cricket in 1953 winning his “Lion”. He went on to play the oval shaped ball game in 1952-53 winning colours. His father, Rajiv Bandaranayake, played for Trinity in 1986 and 1987. He won his Rugby “Lion” playing for the arguably the best Trinity outfit produced so far in their history. That was in 1987 playing under the leadership of Tyrelle Rajapakse. His elder brother Rashen played for Trinity from 2015-2017 winning his rugby colours. In fact the present Trinity skipper, Reshan and his brother, Rashen both played in the 2017 outfit.

This unpredictable Trinity side can change the course of the game by bringing a few surprises on the day. Trinity beat Zahira (22/11), St Anthony’s (35/10), Science (50/20) and lost out to Isipathana (15/27) and Joes (19/37) in their last two games in the first round.

Trinity is coached by former All Blacks Test player (62) Rodney So’oialo who played for Hurricanes. Former Rugby “Lion”, CR & FC, Kandy SC and Sri Lanka player, former Sri Lanka Rugby High Performance Rugby Director, Inthi Marikar is the Rugby Director of the outfit. Another rugby Lion, Havies and national player, Kavinda Jayasena will operate as the Manager of the side.

Royal is led by National Youth side player Thulaib Hassen. He is one of the best among the schools this season. Thulaib will be expecting mobility from his pack, which is the key and strength of their side. His father, Azad Hassen, played rugby for D S Senanayake College, while his uncle, Zulker Hamid, led the Royal outfit in 2002. In that year they created history by scoring 82 unanswered points in both the legs. Thulaib’s grandfather SSP (retired) Ibrahim Hamid too played top class rugby for Police and Sri Lanka. 

Prop forward Fadhill Adhan and Radesh Wijeratne are the two key players for the Reid Avenue outfit. Kalindu Nandila will operate from the base with Lehan Gunaratne and Yasis Rashmika two strong runners as their three quarters. Lehan is the son of present Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) President, Lasitha Gunaratne, who led Royal in 1988 and later on went on to represent Sri Lanka at XV’s.

Rajindu Jayasuriya and Dulan Dunwardena are the other two players who could pose a threat for the “Lions”. 

Meanwhile Royal beat Maliyadeva (62/6), Kingswood (20/12), St Thomas (17/10), Wesley (24/19) and lost to St Peter’s (8/12) in round one.

Royal is coached by Dushantha Lewke, the former Royal skipper, and CR & FC, Kandy SC and national player. He was under Sanath Martis and took over the Reid Avenue outfit this year.

Trinity is leading the tally with 39 wins to Royal’s 33 with 2 ending as ties. Trinity last won in 2014 under Tharinda Ratwatte.

Mike de Alwis who played in the 1950s will be the Chief Guest at the first leg in Pallekele.

Trinity

Reshan Bandaranayake (Capt), Nimesh Ekanayake, Neranan Vitharana, Mahdhi Abdullah, Yashwant Mecan, Chetiya Pananwela, Dhirendra Ratwatte, Tehan Karunanayake, Miranga Subasinghe, Amith Kulatunge, Harsha Samarasinghe, Tevin Karunanayake, Geeshapa Kulatunge, Dulanjith Nethwara, Lenox Calyanaratne, Poojana Kulatunge, Tidas Thanthirage, Rahul Danaraj, Damian Tennekoon, Shakiya Senanayake, Janidu Ratnayake, Duvindu Herath, Pabasara Munasinghe, Thammuditha Dodantenna and Zayd Faizal

Royal

Thulaib Hassen (Capt), Dilshan Jayah, Mohamed Nawran, Vehan Manthila, Induruwa Ilukpitiya, Pasindu Gunasinghe, Rajindu Jayasuriya, Fadhil Adhan,Janendra Nanayakkara, Lahiru Thilakaratne, Kevin Samarasinghe, Achintha Radeeshan, Rdesh Wijeratne, Avishka Kelegama, Viren Gajanayake, Samdhi Induruwa, Nipuna Yasojana, Kaveen Sasanga, Migara Mihisanka, Raveen Shenuka, Kalindu Nandila, Lehan Gunaratne, Hasitha Peiris, Abdul Rahman, Avin George and Mohamed Abdullah

Referee: Aaqil Jamaldeen