The stage is set for another memorable chapter in Sri Lanka's most celebrated schools rugby rivalry with Royal College Colombo hosting Trinity College Kandy in the first leg of the 80th Bradby Shield encounter at the Royal Complex this evening (11).
The Bradby folklore will re-write another chapter today when the two of the premier schools in the country meet for the third time this season with kick-off scheduled for 4:15 p.m.
Best of Trinity
Trinity by winning the President’s Trophy Knockouts Championship and the 2026 Inter-School Rugby League title is enjoying one of the finest seasons in their recent history if not the finest.
Led by playmaker Shan Althaf, Trinity has not lost a game this season and will be looking to continue their form and regain the coveted Bradby Shield this year.
Trinity's dominance over Royal this year has been emphatic. Trinitians have already inflicted two big losses on the Royalist this season and will enter the game brimming with confidence.
In the President’s Trophy final, Trinity defeated Royal 58-26 in April, while last month, the Trinitians got the better of Royalists 48-15 in the second round of the league.
League Champions
Trinity, after an unblemished record, clinched the President’s Trophy and then recorded big wins over Lumbini College (55 -03), St. Anthony’s College (68-05), Sri Sumangala College (39-00), D.S. Senanayake College (41-10) and Isipathana College (36-12) in the first round of the league tournament.
Trinity then went on to beat Wesley College (43-10), Royal (48-15) and Zahira College (37-32) in the second round before sealing the League Championship with a 20-07 win over St. Peter’s College.
Meanwhile, Royal College also reached the President’s Trophy final before losing to Trinity in the title clash.
In the league campaign, the Royalists defeated Science College (43-10), Thurstan College (40 -15), Kingswood College (13-06) and S. Thomas’ College (29-24) but were stunned by Zahira (26-29).
In the second round, Royal’s shortcomings were well exposed. They lost to Isipathana (12-31), Trinity and St. Peter’s College (22-27).
In the final league encounter, Royalists manage to defeat Wesley (33-17) and will be looking to take the momentum to the Bradby first leg.
Royal Might
Royalists’ strength lies with their powerpack forwards led by Disas Pathirana.
Skipper Pathirana has a potent back row with Senuja Ranasinghe and Althaf Aman combining well at break downs in addition to carrying the ball in the red zone. Second-rowers Raaid Bary and Methuka Wickramaratne will meanwhile be looking to play spoilsport against Trinity who have been below par in their lineouts during several encounters.
Scrum-half Savistha Fernando and fly half Kavindu Hewage will need to combine well to gain territorial advantage against the visitor’s speedy backline.
Centres Hiruka Jayanidu and Praveen Nimsara and wing three-quarters Dilanka Perera and Kevan Ekanayake are also expected to step up to stop the Trinity’s backs.
Fullback Shimak Shafeek has been excellent during the season and the Royal supporters will be hoping for another impressive outing from the experienced No. 15 for them to have a shot at the Bradby Shield.
Lions Roar
Trinitians on the other hand are led by the player of the tournament during the league season. Fullback Shan Althaf is known for his exceptional long-distance kick at goal and he has been impressive with his touch kicking but he has brought in a new dimension to his game this season with speed and line breaks.
Scrum-half Udan Wijekoon is the linchpin of the title winning side linking up with No. 10 Abdul Malik.
Centre Sadeesha Weerawansa has been an imposing figure in the middle of the line while Aamaar Manzil has broken defensive lines at will. Despite limited chances wingers Minula Yaddehige and Dimath Ambepitiya have been making threatening runs and have been on the scoring sheets on a regular basis.
Up front, Trinity’s front row including Akila Fernando and Rakitha Weragama will be expected to foil the Royal’s famed rolling maul while second-rowers Evin Jayasena and Akash Fernando need to secure the ball during lineouts and feed the speedy runners.
Experienced Nisitha Kumarasinghe, Hamza Abdeen and No. 8 Achintha Jayasena have been brilliant throughout the season. The trio made the difference during tight tussles during the league albeit Trinity had very few close encounters.
Bradby Special
On paper, Trinity looks like a team that has covered all the bases and will continue to remain unbeaten. Although current form heavily favours Trinity, Bradby history offers countless reminders that the rivalry often defies expectation.
Last year, Trinity, despite beating Royal comfortably 34-12 in the league, failed to retain the Bradby Shield. They lost 05-15 at Pallekele before winning the Colombo leg 08-03.
Against all odds, Royal won the Bradby Shield 18-13 on aggregate last year. Shan Althaf-led Trinity is expected to come hard at the host this evening to avenge last year’s painful defeat.
Referee Meitetsu Shimizu of Japan is assigned to officiate the encounter.
On field battle aside, the blue-ribbon rugby encounter of the country will see both sets of supporters, the young and old, flocking to grounds early in a bid to experience the “Bradby feeling” and create memories which will last a lifetime.
Bradby Tally:
Matches: 79
Trinity: 40
Royal: 37
Draws: 2
Last year’s Bradby: Royal 18 - Trinity 13
Prediction: Ada Derana Sports Desk's Hazari Mohamed predicts a win for Trinity by a 22-point margin
