Trinity take Bradby 'first leg' 21-10

by Ranjan Anandappa

Trinity came within striking distance in retaining the Bradby Shield with an inspiring second half rally to beat Royal in the 'first leg' of the Bradby Shield encounter at the Royal College Sports Complex yesterday.

The scoreline 21 points (three goals) to 10 (A goal and a penalty) does not sufficiently reveal the facts as Royal dominated most of the game but were unable to convert their dominance into points. Trinity, on the other hand, got the maximum in converting every opportunity that came their way into points.

Royal's main problem was the lack of finish to their moves. This was probably due to the ferocious tackling by the Trinitians who nailed the Royalists everytime they got moving. Royal monopolised play particularly in the first half, gaining a lot of territorial advantage through their forwards.

Royal opened scoring in the 23rd minute when Omar Hassan put over a twenty metre penalty. Trinity then struck after seven minutes off a second phase move when hooker Mahen Wickremasiri fell over and Krishan Kirinde gave them the extra points.

Trinity led 7/3 at the breather.

Royal came back storming early in the second half when flanker Bilal Hassan scored off a five-yard scrum to take the lead 10/7. But Royal's lead was short lived as Mahen Wickremasiri struck again when he worked the ball off an infringement for Kirinde to give them the extra points for Trinity to snatch the lead again.

Mid way in the second half, Royal had a good opportunity to reduce the gap, but Savindra Lenaduwa could not hold on the ball. Trinity, however, put the issue beyond doubt when after a typical forwards play when prop Sean Wanigasekera scored off a second phase more and Anojan Balasubramanium put over the kick to give them the extra points.

Dilroy Fernando refereed.

Royal won the under 13 game 7/0. and lost the under 18 match 10/15 in the Simithriaarachchi Trophy.