After a decade-long wait, Trinity College clinched the coveted Bradby Shield with a dramatic victory in the second leg. A last-minute penalty by Shaan Althaf sealed a 25-22 win and, combined with an aggregate score of 42-39, secured their triumph in the 78th Bradby Shield, held at the Lions’ Den in Pallekele.
The 78th edition of this Rugby showdown lived up to expectations in the first leg in Colombo, where Trinity College delivered a stellar performance to edge out their opponents 17-16. This narrow victory gave Trinity a slim one-point advantage heading into this game.
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Idris Farook kicked the game off for Royal, and their forwards came into game immediately as they turned over the ball through stellar counter ruck and played seven phases patiently to keep possession with them. Royal Fullback Yuwan Pathirana made grubber kick, which caught Trinity defence off-guard as Pathirana managed to gather his kick and go over to open the scoring. Nabeel Yahiya made no mistake with his conversion kick as he successfully added the extras. (TCK 00 – 07 RC)
Immediately after scoring, Royal conceded a penalty for their incoming players were deemed off feet in the ruck. Trinity seized the opportunity and opted for a kick at goal. Shaan Althaf stepped up and, from 43 meters out, delivered a precise penalty kick to narrow the deficit. (TCK 03 – 07 RC)
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Trinity was reduced to fourteen players when Minula Yaddehige received a yellow card for a dangerous tackle, putting them under immense pressure as Royal pressed their advantage. Despite the relentless assault, Trinity’s Captain, Thisanga Dissanayake, made a crucial intervention on the try line to deny Royal’s Skipper, Thivain Perera, who was held up from scoring. Amidst the intense defense, Trinity managed to keep their composure and level the Bradby aggregate with a penalty kick from Shaan Althaf. (TCK 06 – 07 RC)
Both kickers delivered impressive performances, with Royal choosing to go for points when awarded a penalty. Idris Farook executed a flawless kick to add to Royal’s tally.
However, shortly after the restart, Trinity responded with a brilliant passing sequence. The move culminated when Yewan Hulangamuwa executed a precise chip kick over the defense, allowing Minula Yaddehige to gather and score. Shaan Althaf added the extra points with a successful conversion. (TCK 13 – 10 RC)
The last five minutes of the first half were dominated by Royal, who chose to go for points, with Nabeel Yahiya taking on the kicking duties. Yahiya’s accurate kick kept Royal firmly in the contest. In the final play of the half, instead of opting for a kick at goal, Royal chose a line-out. Trinity anticipated a rolling maul, but Royal’s Ayyash Shiyam broke away from the maul and powered over the try line to score a crucial try. Idris Farook converted the try, extending Royal’s lead as the teams headed into the break.
Half Time: Trinity College 13 (1T,1C,2P) – Royal College 20 (2T,2C,2P)
Trinity came out strong after the break, creating several scoring opportunities with rolling mauls and pick-and-drives. Despite their efforts, Royal’s defense remained resolute. Undeterred, Trinity shifted to a kicking strategy, and Shaan Althaf converted a straightforward penalty, allowing Trinity to stay in the game by scoring first in the second half. (TCK 16 – 20 RC)
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It took 14 minutes for the next score to emerge when Trinity chose to capitalize on a penalty awarded for Royal’s failure to roll away at the breakdown. Shaan Althaf made no mistake with his kick, levelling the Bradby aggregate once more and bringing the scores back to a deadlock .(TCK 19 – 20 RC)
In the 65th minute, Royal conceded a penalty for holding on, and Trinity’s playmaker, Shaan Althaf, stepped up to convert another three points, regaining the lead. However, just three minutes later, Nabeel Yahiya answered with a perfectly executed kick of his own, leveling the aggregate score once again at 39-all. (TCK 22 – 23 RC)
>>Trinity College with a golden opportunity to make single-point lead count!
As Royal maintained possession in their half, they attempted a few pick-and-drives in hopes of drawing a penalty. Instead, they were penalized in the breakdown. Trinity seized the opportunity and opted for the kick at goal. Shaan Althaf, who had clinched the first leg with a drop goal, delivered a remarkable 53-meter penalty to secure the Bradby Shield for Trinity College for the first time since 2014. The crowd in Pallekele erupted in celebration, marking a long-awaited victory
Full Time: Trinity College 25 (1T,1C,6P) – Royal College 23 (2T,2C,3P)
78th Bradby Shield Aggregate: Trinity College 42-39 Royal College
NDB Player of the Match: Shaan Althaf (Trinity College)
Points Breakdown
Trinity College 25
Minula Yaddehige 1T, Shaan Althaf 1C,6P
Royal College: 23
Yuwan Pathirana 1T, Ayyash Shiyam 1T, Idris Farook 1C 1P, Nabeel Yahiya 1C 2P
