I was never a ruggerite, the only bit of Rugby I’ve played has been either during the interval break with my friends or as a way to pass time and bond as a team when practices or matches were called off due to rain.
Basically it was “tap” rugby played purely for pleasure. My parents never gave me permission to play rugby (contact) because I wasn’t and still am not the strongest in terms of physique. As my father never failed to joke saying “the only position you could play is the linesman” every time I asked if I could try for the team.
Studying at Royal College Colombo, there were a few sports among the many sports offered at college that caught the eye of many, I chose Cricket. Royal having a rich history and recognition for rugby it was only natural that I developed an interest for the sport. My uncle having played Rugger for Trinity College, Kandy he use to teach me the game whenever I use to go to visit them in Kandy and eventually I tagged along as a little brat dressed in Blue and Gold for the Bradby, Kandy leg, the only issue being was that, I had to stay with my cousins, uncle and family who were Trinitians. I was the only Royalist in the Trinity tent. An experience in itself. Anyway this was the way I was exposed to the action and pageantry of the Blue Ribbon rugby encounter in the country.
As I grew older I started to go for the match with my friends (this time in the correct tent, thankfully). I learnt the sport by watching and questioning my friends which I’m sure would have annoyed them because, I use to keep asking them the technicalities, this was an alien game compared to cricket. I soon realized that if you’re a Royalist you need to know and speak rugby, it was a part of who we were as Royalists.
The “Bradby Season” was filled with euphoria and it was the most awaited event for me as of for many others (of course after the Roy Tho Big match). Like the big match, during the pre Bradby week, college turns into a totally different place, studies take a back seat, the guys to play the coming Saturday were treated like heroes, perhaps gods in the eyes of every royalist. The hopes and dreams of millions of Royalists reflect in the eyes of the 15 men who are to march on to the field. This fame and prestige of wearing that hallowed “1st XV” jersey I cannot explain because, I haven’t experienced it and I would do injustice by trying to but, having represented college at the Big Match wearing the Cricket colours blazer and cap on the field of the SSC I know that this fame and prestige of representing your school comes with a price and bigger sense of responsibility.
The 15 men who’ll shed blood, sweat and tears either at the Royal Complex or at Pallekale carry the vision and wish of every Royalist; to have the Bradby shield back home in Colombo. By home I mean Royal because, Principal E.L. Bradby who presented the shield 70 years ago was a principal of Royal College, so I believe it’s fair to say that the ‘Home of the Bradby” is down Reid Avenue even though the Trinitians would not like to admit. After 4 years of not being home I’m sure the shield is “Home sick” and begs the boys to bring “HIM” back from the cold hills of Kandy. 70 years is a lot of years and I’m sure “he” must be suffering from knee aches from the cold weather and could use some better, “more professional” attention in the capital city of the country.
At last I wish both teams all the very best to put up an amazing game because I’m sure most royalists would love to watched a good win and not an easy, so lads from Kandy, give a good fight please don’t “gift it to us” it’s far respectable winning what is ours. As an ending note, I would like to state to all the critics who I haven’t pleased with my two cents worth, this was an article written with a light heart, yes there’s a lot of history and passion but, let’s not forget that this is a sport and sports at the end of the day is to entertain. I mean not to disrespect any party or person and I apologize in advance if I have.
May the better team (Royal) win!!!!!
