Unbeaten double champions Trinity College Kandy will host Royal College Colombo in the second leg of the 80th Bradby Shield encounter at the Trinity College Rugby Stadium in Pallekele this evening (25).
The highly anticipated clash marks the fourth meeting between the two traditional rivals this season, as Trinity looks to complete a memorable Bradby Shield triumph on home soil with kick-off scheduled for 4:15 p.m.
Chasing History
After registering a commanding 33-10 victory in the opening leg in Colombo a fortnight ago, Trinity carries a 23-point aggregate advantage into the return fixture.
Trinity outclass Royal to open 23-point Bradby lead
This year’s side has been inching towards emulating the Tyrell Rajapakse-led invincible Trinity team of 1987, which is considered the very best in recent memory. Therefore, this evening, the Lions will be eager to preserve their unbeaten record and crown an outstanding season by adding another Bradby Shield to their illustrious rugby history.
The Shan Althaf-led Lions have been the undisputed force of the 2026 schools’ rugby season.
After clinching both the Inter-School League title and the President's Trophy without tasting defeat, Trinity now stands just 80 minutes away from adding the Bradby Shield to an already glittering campaign.
Trinity College Crowned Unbeaten Schools League Champions
Yet Bradby encounters have never been won on reputation alone.
Royal College Colombo led by Disas Pathirana travel to Pallekele determined to produce one final statement. Although faced with the daunting challenge of overturning a 23-point deficit, the Royalists know that Bradby has often produced moments that defy expectations.
Royal Grit
The opening leg reflected that spirit. Royal remained firmly in the contest for nearly an hour, matching Trinity physically and tactically before the visitors unleashed a devastating finish.
Floodgates opened in the final 10 minutes at the Royal complex, which transformed a closely fought battle into a convincing 33-10 victory, giving Trinity a significant cushion heading into today's decider.
Marshalled by captain Shan Althaf, Trinity's backs have bullied teams throughout the season with their pace and attacking flair while Royal's hopes will again rest on the leadership of their forward pack and their ability to disrupt the champions' rhythm from the outset.
The likes of Nisitha Kumarasinghe, Hamza Abdeen and Achintha Jayasena have been brilliant throughout the season and will be looking to bow out in style before their supporters. Royal’s final year coloursmen will be equally determined to take the prestigious shield back to Reid Avenue.
Bradby, "One of a Kind"
Beyond the contest itself lies the unique spectacle that only the Bradby Shield can provide.
Thousands of students and old boys of both Trinity and Royal are expected to fill the Pallekele stands, creating an atmosphere unmatched in any Sri Lankan schools sport. The sea of red, blue and gold, the school songs and the enduring traditions ensure that the Bradby remains as much a celebration of heritage as it is a rugby encounter.
Royal claims Bradby Shield despite Trinity winning second leg
With the Bradby Shield decided on aggregate scores over two legs, every point in today's contest could prove decisive.
Before the first leg in Colombo, many Trinity supporters dared to dream of rewriting history by surpassing the record 83-point aggregate margin set by Zulker Hamid's Royal side in 2002. However, the Tuskers ensured those ambitions were quickly tempered, producing a spirited display that served as a reminder that Bradby glory is never surrendered without a fight.
Holding a commanding 23-point advantage, Trinity now needs only a composed performance to complete an unbeaten season in style, while Royal must produce one of the greatest comebacks in Bradby history to retain the coveted shield.
Meanwhile, Yusaku Murata of Japan will be tasked with controlling the high-pressure encounter on the field.
As the final whistle approaches on another school rugby season, the stage is set for yet another memorable chapter in Sri Lanka's most celebrated schoolboy rugby rivalry.
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 20-point margin
