Trinity in superb 24-12 win over Royal

By Ranjan Anandappa

RUGBY: Spearheaded by a spectacular three quarter display, Trinity delivered a stunning blow to Royal when they won the Bradby Shield ‘first leg’ by 24 points (2 goals, 2 tries) to 12 (a goal and a try) at the Royal College Sports Complex grounds yesterday after leading 14-7 at the breather.

Trinity’s forte was always their speedy three quarters, and there was no exception yesterday. Particularly the two wingers Viswajith Wijesinghe and Kennon Armstrong were impressive with their powerful runs down the flank.

Royal threes failed to impress in both attack and defence. Their full back Mushin Faleel was suspect against the high ball and was tested to the maximum.

The Royalists missed the services of their regular full back Shailendra Chandrasekera who is also a reliable place kicker and they opted to take kicks to touch when they were awarded penalties in the Trinity ‘25’.

Royal opened scoring in the third minute when No: 8 Bilal Hassan crashed through off a 25-metre short tap and Attygalle put over the easy conversion.

However, the Royal dominance was short lived when Trinity three-quarters found their fluency and fly half’s cross kick had the Trinity back division in motion and winger Viswajith Wijesinghe scored under the post for Shanon Armstrong to add the extra points.

Royal forwards played a terrific game driving into rucks and mauls as they made repeated forays in the Trinity territory. But all the good work was squandered by the three-quarters who looked extremely fragile. Bilal Hassan the energetic No: 8 was a source of inspiration for the Reid Avenue school and had a grand game excelling in both attack and defence.

Within two minutes the Trinitians struck again when the other winger Kennon Armstrong burst through off a three quarter move and crossed the Royal goal line and ran round to score under the posts. Shanon Armstrong gave the extra points.

Trinity led 14-7 at the breather.

Trinity scored rapidly after resumption off a three quarter move when Kennon Armstrong scored his second try by falling over by the right corner flag. Soon after this try play was held up for four minutes, when some spectators threw a plastic bottle on to the field.

After order was restored the referee resumed play. Shanon Armstrong’s kick at goal went astray. Trinity 19-7.

Ten minutes later Trinity put the issue beyond doubt off another three quarter move substitute winger Lasantha Samarasekera burst through to fall over for an unconverted try by the left corner flag to make it 24-7. Royal fought back through their hard working forwards and were rewarded when No. 8 Bilal Hassan crashed through for a try by the left corner flag. Duminda Attygalle missed the conversion and Trinity ran out worthy winners by 24 points to 12.

Referee. Priyantha Guneratne.