Beat Trinity by 33-25 in Bradby Shield first leg at Bogambara:

Royal humble Lions in own den

by S.M. Jiffrey ABDEEN - Kandy Sports Cor. at the Bogambara Stadium

Royal College upset all pre-match predictions and maintained their unbeaten record when they beat Trinity College by 33 points 12 goals, 2 tries, 3 penalties) to 25 (2 goals, 1 try, 2 penalties) in the first leg of the 67th Bradly Shield encounter played before a capacity crowd at the Bogambara Stadium, Kandy yesterday at half time Royal College led 20 - 8.

Before the commencement of the match both teams were introduced to the Chief Guest Ravi Balasuriya who captained Trinity College in 1977. This was one match which the Trinitians would like to forget as they virtually handed the victory to their opponents due to indecisive play and most of all poor ball handling as they spilled passes at crucial stages of the game, some resulting in 'knock out'.

Royal College on the other hand deployed the simple strategy of judicious kicking by their fly half Arshard Jamaldeen and their forwards did the rest. Royal also excelled in the line outs and the scrums and their mobile pack played well. Pressure was something the lions could not cope up with and they flustered from that time.

Royal College drew first flood almost with the kick off when an intelligent kick by their fly half Arhard Jamaldeen resulting in a maul and flanker Wasim Bawa fell over by the right corner flag fly half Arshard Jamaldeen kicking with the wind added the extra points with a beautiful kick royal 7-0.

Trinity College reduced the lead in the 5th minute when royal College was penalised for off side after two rucks and fly half Rehan Weerakkody put over a simple penalty Trinity 3-7.

But Royal College increased their lead further in the 8th minute when

Trinity's three-quarters were spotted off side deep inside their territory and Royal's fly half Arshard Jamaldeen converted a 25 metre penalty which was awarded Royal 10-3.

Royal College forged further ahead in the 11th minute when fly half kicked ahead and No. 8 and Skipper Shehan Pathirana scored off a rack. Jamaldeen added the extra points with another brilliant kick which was technically correct under the Royal 17-3.

In the 18 minute Trinity lost their hard running full back Dinuk Nayakaratne following a leg injury and was replaced by Sansara Shiek.

In the period of play which flanked the Lions had two chances of scoring, but could not give the finishing touches. In the 22nd minute. Trinity scored their first try when their three quarters moved the ball and centre Dilshan Kelaniyangoda scored mid left. But Rehan Weerakoon's kick at goal was smothered by the Royalists. Trinity 8-17.

A few minutes later Trinity, were penalised for hards in the rock and Royal's fly half Arshard Jamaldeen put over another penalty for them to lead 20-8 at the breather.

Trinity College were seen in a more aggressive mood after the turn around but it did not yield any results.

In the 14th minute of the second half Trinity were awarded a penalty and full back Sansara shoot out over with a low kick which just went over the horizontal bar. Trinity 11-20.

But on the 18th minute Trinity were penalised for collapsing the ruck after a line out and stand Arshand Jamaldeen fired the 35 metre penalty from a difficult angle. Royal 23-11.

A few minutes later Trinity College once again paid the penalty far collapsing the ruck. Royal College opting to take the short tap, and look forward Lahiru Patherana scored far left and Jamaldeen failed to add the Trinity's three-quarters were spotted off side deep inside their territory and Royal's fly half Arshard Jamaldeen converted a 25 metre penalty which was awarded Royal 10-3.

Royal College forged further ahead in the 11th minute when fly half kicked ahead and No. 8 and Skipper Shehan Pathirana scored off a rack. Jamaldeen added the extra points with another brilliant kick which was technically correct under the Royal 17-3.

In the 18 minute Trinity lost their hard running full back Dinuk Nayakaratne following a leg injury and was replaced by Sansara Shiek.

In the period of play which flanked the Lions had two chances of scoring, but could not give the finishing touches.

extra points. Royal 28-11.

In he 27th minute of paly a penalty was awarded to Trinity College and their fly half Rehan Pathirana made a short punch ahead which was collected by Centre. Kameel Senaviratne who scored mid right Sansara Shiek added the extra points. Trinity 18-28.

Two minutes later Royal College won a scrum a few metres away from the line and Royal's No. 8 Shehan Pahtirana scored off a railing Maul Jamaldeen failed to add the extra points. Royal 33-18.

In the dying stages of the game some good work by Trinity's scrum half Sanjaya Somasiri who caused some distance before sending a pass to No. Seam Faster who in turn sent winger Mohamed Sashshan over the line for an unconverted try.

D. Nimal Refereed.