Trinity eye first-leg advantage in historic 80th Bradby Shield clash

By Shamseer Jaleel

The stage is set for one of Sri Lanka’s most celebrated blue-ribboned schools rugby rivalries as defending League and Knockout champions Trinity College travel to Colombo for the first leg of the historic 80th Bradby Shield encounter against Royal College tomorrow at the Royal Sports Complex.

Kick-off is scheduled for 4:15 p.m. The junior Under-16 encounter for the Simithrarachchi Trophy will be played prior to the senior game.

Although Royal enter the contest as the defending Bradby Shield holders following last year’s aggregate victory, Trinity arrive brimming with confidence after producing one of the finest seasons in the school’s rugby history. The overall Bradby tally still favours Trinity, who have won 40 series compared to Royal’s 37, while two series have ended in draws.

Royal hold the record for the highest aggregate score in Bradby history, amassing 83 points across both legs in 2002, while Trinity’s best aggregate came in 2012 when they scored 78 points, including a memorable 38-point performance in one leg.

Trinity completed a remarkable 2026 campaign by successfully defending the Schools Rugby League title for a record second successive year, having finished runners-up in the President’s Trophy in 2025. Under the leadership of fourth-year Lion Shan Althaf, the Lions secured the coveted rugby double, established themselves as the country’s dominant school side and ended a 39-year drought.

Despite playing only one home League fixture and travelling to Colombo for 11 matches, Trinity swept aside their opponents with victories over Lumbini (55-12), St. Anthony’s (58-5), Sri Sumangala (39-0), D.S. Senanayake (41-10), Isipathana (36-12), Royal (48-15), Wesley (42-10), Zahira (37-32) and St. Peter’s (20-7). They also defeated Thurstan (38-8), Zahira (32-23), Wesley (49-29) and Royal (58-26) earlier in the season in the President’s Trophy knockout competition. Trinity finished the season with an outstanding 376 points scored and only 103 conceded.

Althaf has led by example throughout the campaign, with excellent support from vice-captains Udan Wijekoon and Nisith Kumarasinghe. Udan has been the unsung hero of the side. The forwards have been powered by Hamza Abdeen, Evin Jayasena and Achintha Jayasena, while Deemath Abeypitiya and Minula Yaddehige have been consistent performers. Fly-half Abdul Malik has controlled Trinity’s attack superbly, while the experienced Ammar Manzil, recovering from injury, could feature at centre or wing. Kevin Weerakoon also remains an important utility option.

Royal, captained by Disas Pathirana, endured a difficult Schools Rugby League campaign against a demanding fixture list but gradually improved as the season progressed. Simak Shafeek, Kyhan de Silva, Savishtha Fernando and Althaf Amman are among the standout players for the Reid Avenue outfit.

Despite inconsistent results, the Reid Avenue outfit possess several match-winners and will take confidence from the fact that Bradby matches often produce performances far removed from league form. Backed by home support and determined to defend the Shield they won last year, Royal will be eager to upset the favourites.

Royal defeated Science (43-10), Thurstan (40-15), Kingswood (13-6) and S. Thomas’ (29-24), but lost to Zahira (26-29). In the Super Round, they lost to Isipathana (12-31), Trinity (15-48) and St. Peter’s (22-27) before ending their campaign with a 33-17 victory over Wesley.

On current form, Trinity start with a slight advantage, particularly after their convincing 48-15 victory over Royal in the league. However, history has repeatedly shown that the Bradby Shield is a competition unlike any other, where form often counts for little. Expect another fiercely contested chapter in Sri Lanka’s greatest schools rugby rivalry as both traditional giants battle for a crucial first-leg advantage.

Japanese referee Shimizu Mei will officiate the match.