After a lapse of about 20 plus years the Old Royalists vs Old Trinitians Rugby encounter is being revived with the match to be played at the Royal College Sports Complex (RCSC) on Sunday 18th May 2014 at 4 p.m. in-between the two Bradby Shield matches that are scheduled to be played on May 10th at the Royal College Sports Complex and on May 24th at the Pallakele Rugby Grounds.
This match has had it’s origins in the late 1950’s and the last match was played in the mid 1980’s at the CH & FC grounds where the match ended in a draw. Many a stalwart from the two schools come over to donne their hallowed College colours once again in the spirit of the traditions that have prevailed with the blue ribband game of College Rugby In Sri Lanka. The fierce competitiveness continues to be seen on the field together with the strong camaraderie that these two Rugby fraternities have had from the 1920’s which is even more visible at the after game get together in the Pavilion and later at many a watering hole these two groups meet.
This year’s match will be played (and awarded annually) for the E. Lionel Fernando Trophy. E.L Fernando was the Principal of Trinity in the 1970’s and is best remembered (especially by the Royalists) for his sporting gesture in 1971. It was a year of civil strife in the country with an insurgency that was launched in April. Even though the rebel activities had been suppressed by July, the aftermath had its own instability and the Royal Trinity Rugby encounter was restricted to one match, which was played at the CR & FC grounds in Colombo. Royal under the Captaincy of Fred Pereira won 19-3 vs a much-fancied Trinity team Captained by Y.S. Ping. The Bradby Shield was donated by the retired Royal Principal E.L Bradby in 1945, with the instructions to be awarded to the team having the higher aggregate of the two legs played in Colombo & Kandy. As only one match was played in 1971, it was the considered opinion that the shield will not be awarded (whilst being retained at Trinity as they won it the previous year) and did not take place at the CR&FC that day. However in the following fortnight the Trinity Principal Mr. E.L Fernando arrived at Royal College and at a special assembly of the upper school, awarded the coveted Trophy to the Royal Captain Fred Periera to a thunderous and standing applause from the Royalists. Mr. Fernando in his presentation said that he was making this gesture in upholding the sportsmanship and traditions that prevailed in a healthy rivalry that continues to be the path to a legendary friendship between the two schools and their rugby fraternity. He also mentioned that his decision, was opposed by many from his side but as the Principal of the School and an old Trinitian he decided that the Royal team deserved the Trophy to be the new holders in 1971. This magnanimity is still spoken of by many and it was a senior Old Boy of Royal who suggested that the Old Royalists vs Old Trinitians Rugby match be revived and the Trophy be awarded in the name of E.L Fernando.
The match will be played with most of the team members being in the under 35 year category. The game will be played in four chucker’s of 15 or 20 minutes each, which enables many a stalwart to bring back their playing skills in the best jersey they wore in their career. The game will be preceded with an over 35 game of Tag Rugby where the stalwarts with the much broader waist lines and sagging muscles without any fading of the spirit of the game that is so hallowed in their life time.
The Chief Guests for the game will be M/s Hemaka Amarasuriya of Royal and Jayantissa Kehelpannala of Trinity in their capacity as Chairmen of the Royal Rugby Advisory & President of the Old Trinitians Rugby Scrummage . The Principals of Royal & Trinity will be Guests of Honor.
Royal will be lead by NarenDharson, the Royal Captain of 2009 who’s team remained unbeaten. Trinity will be lead by Milinda Gunawardena who captained in 2008
It will be carnival atmosphere with much cheering and flags waving and most of the spectators arriving in their College shirts and colours.
