Will Trinity College be able to put an end to the Royal dominance or will the lads from Reid Avenue continue their Supremacy in the Bradby Shield Encounter?
Royal College last lost the Bradby Shield to Trinity in 2014 — that’s quite a while ago —
Trinity will be desperate to regain their lost pride and glory as the two sides lock horns for the 1st leg of the Bradby Shield encounter tomorrow (24th) at the Royal College Sports Complex.
A terrifying place to play Rugby at for visiting schools, Trinity College will have the uphill task of putting away the host in the first leg, to take a lead back to Pallekale.
Royal College
The Royal College outfit lost just 2 games this season, going down to eventual Champions St. Peter’s and runner-up Isipathana.
Royal have not looked the fluent self they were in the past years, however, their know-how to get the job done has helped them immensely as they somehow come from behind to close out games.
Their superior fitness is an aspect that has stood out through-out the campaign and they will have to call on to all their reserves if they are to get over the line this time around against Trinity College.
Players to Watch out for
Ayyash Shiyam has been a forward who stood out for the lads in Blue and Gold along with playmaker, and fullback Nabil Yahiya.
Didula Jayasuriya rose to the occasion in the dyine embers of the Dialog Schools’ Rugby League and he will be another player eager to hit the ground running against their arch rivals.
Trinity College
Historically, Trinity have been a team that dominated the Schools’ Rugby arena, however, they have fallen away even though they have produced some sublime players.
This season, they managed to make it through to the Super Round by the slimmest of margins, however, they failed to make anything much out of the games in the Super Round meaning they had to settle for a 4th place finish on the table.
The lads from Kandy will be keen to end Royal’s dominance. Trinity have managed just 4 wins against Royal since their last Bradby victory in 2014 and it’s about time they rose to the occasion as their Faithful will be hoping for some sort of encouragement given the barren results of the past decade.
Players to Watch out for
Thisanga Dissanayake will have his work cut out, however, he will be looked up to by his team mates as the forwards will have a enormous task at hand to stop the Royalist in their own backyard.
Yevan Hulangamuwa and Shan Althaf will no doubt have to bring in their ‘A’ game if they are to dismantle Royal. Not only with ball in hand but also make sure to bring their kicking boots because points will be at a premium tomorrow evening on a soggy paddock at the Complex.
Writers Pick
Royal College will have a slight edge of Trinity College at the Complex, and if the weather turns on the visitors things will only get trickier.
Trinity will have to not put a foot wrong if they are to undo this Royal outfit, however, on first viewing, it’s an enormous task at hand!
Prediction: Royal to win by 6-points or more….
