BRADBY: Royal run circles

By Shameer JALEEL reporting from Kandy

Going into the 65th Bradby Shield as favourites Royal College lived up to their expectations when they got the better of Trinity College by 22 points (1 goal, 3 tries) to 12 points (1 Goal, 1 Try) win at Bogambara Stadium yesterday. At the short breather the winners led 12-7.

Royal coming into the game as unbeaten took time to settle. Trinity had things going their way in the initial half with some threatening and breath taking moves by their three quarters who looked dangerous on attack. Though they attacked most of the time their finishing move was spoiled by errors none other than by them. Trinity had lot of possession and though looking good in attack while defending they were in pieces allowing the Royalists to punch holes at will.

Come the second half it was Royal who re-grouped and played as a better outfit. They kept on attacking and the major share of possession and were in thick of things at lose play. Kennon Armstrong missed a sitter penalty in front of the posts in the 14th minute of the game. Six minutes later Trinity skipper Vishwajith Wijesinghe dashed through to touch down. Kennon Armstrong added the extra points to take a 7-0 lead. Royal replied almost immediately when left winger Chamara Dabare crossed the Trinity line in lightning speed. Duminda Attygalle failed to add the extra points. Soon afterwards Try scorer Chamra Dabre was yellow carded for a high tackle at a Trinity player. Minutes before half time national youth player Hashtika Bandaranayake scored through a forwards rush. Duminda Attygalle was on target with the conversion.

Second half the major part was Right Royal way though they failed to score in most of their moves. Scrum Half Aqueel Sathuk dummied his way for a super try to take 17-7 lead. Trinity cut the deficit through Kenon Armstrong try.

Skipper Naren Dhason did the icing on the cake by planting the last try to take a 10 point lead and the first leg of the Bradby Shield 22-12.

Dilroy Fernando refereed.

Under 14 Trinity won 21-0.

Under 16 - Trinity won 19-7

Under 18 Trinity won 5-0

Try scorer Sean Shadrack.

Both teams were introduced to the chief guest Shafi Jainudeen 1969 Trinity skipper and Rugby “Lion”

The second leg will take place in Colombo on June 13. Trinity opened scoring in the 20th minute of the game when their skipper Viswajith Wijesinghe dashed through to touch down. Kennon Armstrong was on target the convertion kick to take 7-0 lead. Kennon Armstrong missed a sitter penalty in front of the posts minutes earlier.