Trinity Lions tamed in their own den

63rd Bradby Shield - 1st Leg

Shamseer Jaleel reporting from Kandy

RUGBY: Trinity failed to live up to their pre-match reputation and were well beaten by a better side Royal by 20 points (1 goal, 2 tries, 1 penalty) to 12 points (1 goal, 1 try) at Bogambara Stadium yesterday in their first leg of the 63rd Bradby Shield. At the breather the winners led 8-0.

Trinity on their part now only can sulk and lick the wounds about their missed opportunities that could have brought them their desired goal. Trinity on their part can think of the failed opportunities and to put up a good show in two weeks time. A shattered Trinity rugby team needs an urgent revamp. They have got to freshen up. They looked a yard slower than the Royal outfit and the forwards were very slow and looked like mere passengers at Bogambara Stadium. Trinity also paid the price for a number of missed tackles.

On the other hand Royal forwards were omnipresent. Skipper and prop Manil Abeyratne led them from the front and got ample support from their number 8 Bilal Hassen who enjoyed one of the best games in his rugby career. While in attack Royal winger Asif Hussain looked like scoring almost all the time.

Royal drew first blood in the very first minute of the game when Trinity were caught holding on to the ball. Royal full back Shalindera Chandrasekera was on target with a kick at goal to take an early 3-0 lead. In the 15th minute of the game prop forward Nikira Senanayake crashed through the Trinity gates to score. (Royal 8, Trinity 0).

Three minutes later Trinity were in attack and their winger Sameer Zameer was in electrifying speed covered nearly 40 meters before brought down by the Royalist.

After the turn around Trinity looked a different side with their injured skipper Sean Wanigasekera and prop Sathya Ranathunge taking the field. Their forwards had more power and their speed increased considerably. Trinity scored through their full back Lasantha Samarawickrema who covered nearly 50 metres to score a superb try. Cinei Seigertsz was on target with the conversation to reduce Royal to 8-7.

A few minutes later Royal winger Asif Hussain who had a grand game found a huge hole in the Trinity defence. He dashed through to score and increase their lead 13-7. Still Trinity had time to score one more try thought their number 8 Jezzel Hassen who played well in the loose. Kick at goal was missed by Krishan Kirinde. (Royal 13, Trinity 12).

Royal number 8 destroyed any hope of a Trinity win in their own den. He crashed through the "Lions" den to score a superb number 8's try. Centre Duminda Attygalle was on target with the kick to take a 20-12 win to the first leg.

The chief guest at the 63rd Bradby was the 1967-68 Trinity "Lion" Ajith Abeyratne.

Referee Dilroy Fernando.

Under 14 Royal beat Trinity 28-0.

Under 16 Trinity beat Royal 32-0.

Under 18 Trinity beat Royal 15-0.