Sri Lanka’s blue-ribbon rugby fixture will come alive this weekend for the second time in its 73rd successive year at Reid Avenue. The age-old fixture that is played for the coveted Bradby Shield commenced in the year 1945 where the then Royal principal, Edward Lawrence Bradby donated the shield before leaving the country.
Since then the rich tradition has continued to flourish over the years with the prized possession having had even exchanges between the two sides. ThePapare goes back in history to get a glimpse of the past encounters of the shield in our exclusive photo story.
1 Royal get top honours in the 2011 1st leg
The undefeated Shehan Pathirana led Royal outfit rattled Bogambora with Royalists scoring the important tries that got them through to a league title.
2 A ‘Reid Avenue Massacre’
Little did the Royalists know that the tables would turn in their own backyard as the Lions bounced back with a splendid performance to win back the shield after 2 years. Pictured is the famous 2011 Trinity team lifting the shield at the complex.
3 Gracious in defeat, humble in victory
Trinity’s skipper Murad Ramzeen of 2011 is pictured here two weeks apart. Ramzeen erupts in euphoria after his team won the second leg 40-5.
4 Unstoppable Lions retain it for the second year
The Lions were unstoppable in 2012, winning both legs effortlessly. Kaneel Seneviratne’s 1st XV team downed the Royal team led by Arshad Jamaldeen 34-11 & 20-36.
Photo by: Dishon Michael Manickam
5 A 69th edition filled with emotion
The 69th encounter had something for Royal to celebrate, as they won the second leg in Colombo but that was not enough to stop their opponents from taking home the shield for a third year. The two pictures captured by our photographers show Pallekelle erupting at full time in the 1st leg while the Royal players are consoled by their fans.
6 Halique Wadood & Co makes it three in a row
Winning the first leg 25-37 and later the Bradby on aggregate, Halique Wadood’s Trinity team was once again on the complex podium for a third year running.
7 Triumphant Trinity make it fourth back to back Bradby title
The 2014 team took Trinity to their 39th Bradby Shield victory in the 70th edition of the encounter. It was a tough encounter at Pallekelle where the Royalists almost won but a penalty by Tarinda Ratwatte took Trinity ahead to win both legs.
8 Winning four Bradby’s is special
The last time this happened was from 2001-2004 when Royal College won it on four occasions back-to-back and this time Trinity did the same with coach Neil Foote. Pictured here are skipper Tarinda Ratwatte (R) and coach Neil Foote (L)
9 First win at Pallekelle for Royal!
It took Royal College three years to conquer the Lion’s den as the Royalists led by Bhanuka Gamage made history in 2015 winning in Pallekelle for the first time.
10 Trinity gets a right ‘Royal’ beating
Trinity had to settle their debts in the second leg of the 2015 encounter where they were humiliated 49-0 at Reid Avenue as Royal left them speechless, barring them from scoring a single try.
11 Bhanuka Gamage’s team brought the shield back
After four years, the coveted shield went back to Reid Avenue after Bhanuka Gamage’s Royal team had the honour of bringing it back.
Photo by Pahan Mendis Murclive
12 The Bradby was drawn!
To sum it all up, after two close encounters the 72nd Bradby Shield encounter concluded in a draw. This was the second occasion that both teams levelled after two encounters. The two captains Nikhila Gunadeera (left) & Rahul Karunathilake (right) had to be content with a draw.
13 Above all the competitiveness, the rivalry and the intensity of the game, camaraderie always prevails between the two teams.
Over the years, what has made the Bradby Shield special is the spirit in which it is played. Keeping aside the stiff rivalry that exists between the two teams on the field, the brotherhood off the field is what has kept the true values of the game alive since its inception.
Seen in the first photo from 2011 where Sashan Mohammed sees to the injured Rimze Jamaldeen while the second one is from 2015 where Ashok Vijekumar & Anuka Boyagoda exchange pleasantries ahead of a scrum.
WATCH LIVE: Royal v Trinity – 73rd Bradby Shield – 2nd leg
