Hello everyone. Trust everyone’s’ well rested after the break. The School’s league rolls on to the final week for the first round of games. In this weeks’ article, we focus on the big games coming up. But, none more significant than the Bradby Shield!
74th Bradby Shield – 1st Leg, Royal Sports Complex
The time is upon us, for school’s rugby’s blue-ribbon event. Though it must be said, the excitement this time around has been somewhat muted. The reason possibly being the contrasting fortunes of both sides in the season so far – Royal looking the real deal once again, going into this fixture unbeaten, whereas Trinity have already tasted defeat twice and having had to huff and puff to get past St. Anthony’s and STC who sit at the bottom of the table. The fact that most of the public are still very much in Avurudu mode is perhaps another consideration. It does take time for those kavums and kokis to digest.
Last year’s edition was a true heavy weight battle. Trinity were making all the noise in the early part of the season, and were clear favourites to wrestle the shield back. But Royal just kept getting better and better as the seasoned progressed. And come the latter part of the season, Ovin Askey’s outfit were the best team in the country. They rightly deserved to walk away with not only the Bradby, but the coveted schools’ league as well.
The Royal team this year is led by winger Sabith Feroze. Janidu Dilshan is arguably their most lethal weapon in the backline, though by his high standards, Janidu has had somewhat of a quiet season so far. But their forwards are the ones that really make the difference. In round 3, St. Joseph’s put Royal under pressure very early on in that game. But the Royal eight just kept coming at them, and never gave them even a sniff of regaining possession. They are masters of just locking teams out of the contest. What’s more, though they are not really that big a side in terms of physicality, they’re the best conditioned team in this arena. They just keep getting stronger and stronger as the game progresses right up until the final whistle. It may well rain on Saturday, which will play right into their hands. Even if it doesn’t, Royal will feel that they have the all-round game to put the Trinitians away. Do not expect the ball to go out wide in the first few phases. They will keep it tight, and look to grind Trinity into the mud first.
From a Royal perspective, one of the biggest challenges I see, is the prospect of playing against their old teammate Lennox Calyanaratne. There is a tendency sometimes, especially when emotions are running high to focus on the man rather than the game and your particular role. But, I’m sure Coach Lewkhe will make sure his charges get on the field in the right state of mind.
For Trinity, they will be happy to go into this game as underdogs. It’s much easier from a psychological angle when you have nothing to lose. Avishka Shiek is yet to hit form, and Warren Weerakoon has yet to find his rhythm in centre-field. Vishwa Ranarajah has also shown a clean pair of heels when given space to run, but collectively, Trinity have not yet clicked as a team. Against S.Thomas’, I thought they played reasonably well in patches, in very wet playing conditions. The forwards ran some nice lines, with Calayanaratne himself being very involved. But their backs lack fluency, and their decision making in some instances was very poor. They struggle to get the ball into their wingers hands on the outside of defenders.
I have no doubt though that the Trinity lads would have been hitting it pretty hard at practice. This could well be the game where it all starts coming together. If they get themselves into a lead early in the game, then anything could happen.
Strange things tend to happen at Bradby games. I witnessed a rugby miracle first hand in 1998, when the late great Quintin Israel masterminded the downfall of the all-conquering Royalists, led by Shanaka Perera. Seeing that, you will never say never!
Trinity still lead the overall Bradby Shield tally with 39 wins to Royal’s 32, with there being tie on two occasions.
My prediction: Royal to win by 15 points, or more.
Be sure to catch all the action live on the www.thepapare.com
