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TRINITY
OUT TO REGAIN BRADBY SHIELD
By Hafiz Marikar
Trinitians who failed to clinch the
Singer Inter School “A” Division Trophy will
go flat out to beat Royal in the second leg of the Bradby
Shield at Bogambara Stadium on Saturday, kick-off at
4.45pm. The junior team matches will be played from
2pm and the under 18 encounter for the C.E. Simithrachchi
Trophy will start at 3.25pm.
Trinitians, who led the table up to last Sunday, failed
to win the deciding game against Kingswood to take the
2008 inter school championship. All-in-all it is going
to be interesting to see how both sides, which are good
in open rugby, play in this Saturday’s game. Both
teams are famous for playing quality run-and-pass rugby
and will give the large crowd their money’s worth.
If the Trinitians continue to play in the fashion they
did in the 1st leg where they led by 12 points, they
should have no problems in regaining the Bradby Shield
on Saturday at Bogambara. Trinity, as host, has a better
chance of eclipsing the Royalists in their own den.
Trinity comes out in this game with driving determination
to preserve their lead.
This year’s Trinity skipper Milinda Gunawardene
has a fine set of forwards, one of the most experienced
and talented in the schools set-up at present.
Trinitians who are under the watchful eyes of Anil Jaysinghe
and Pradeep Basnayake are hoping to make a change for
this game. Fly-half Nimesh Yatawara will be side lined
and his place will be taken by full back Adul Fahad
and S.U.E. Samarasekara will be the fullback for this
game. Much will be expected from Fahad in this all important
game.
Their strength is the mobile pack with players like
Mohamed Riyazie, Hasidu Dissanayake, Isurath Singalaxana,
Pulasthi Gamage, Surendra Alwis and Idris Omar who had
an excellent game in the first leg. Skipper Milinda
Gunawardene and Ruzni Ramzeen are at their best and
should deliver the goods .
According to coaches Anil and Pradeep in this game the
Trinitians will rely more on Abeeb Hamid. Once again
Abeeb will have a load of work to do, he had a steady
game in the first leg but he should be supported well
when he makes the break and only through such support
that tries can be scored. New fly-half Abdul Fahad,
Kenon Armstrong, Visvajith Wijesinghe, Samreen Sameem,
and Shena Armstrong to make the moves and fullback L.U.E.
Samarasekara is expected to give of his best.
Royal will be fielding their best outfit. None are on
the injured list – thus they will be at full steam.
So look out for a bustling game.
The Royal forwards, the way they played in the last
outing, should be able to match the Trinitians man-to-man.
They are very speedy with the third row Bilal Hasan
as No. 8; Asshik Bari and Hasitha Bandaranayake are
the flankers. Bilal is out to spoil any threatening
moves by Trinity, the rest of the forwards Nikira Senanayake,
Udara de Silva, Shamir Fajudeen, Shehan Pathirana and
Kalana Amarasinghe are in peak form.
Royal skipper Suvindha Lenaduwa intends to retain the
Bradby. His great performance in the first leg, despite
being well marked, brought Royal honours due to the
fact that the other members of the team, particularly
the back division did their part well together with
players like Rameez, Rafeek, Naren Dhason, Suvindha
Lenaduwa, Dumina Attygalle, Shamil Ahamed, Nabeel Faizer
and Mushin Faleel.
Sam Samarasekara is the chief guest for the second leg
of the 64th Bradby Shield at the Bogmbara Stadium on
Saturday.
Sam a crack centre-three-quarter at school and Club
level played for Trinity in the late 1960’s. He
led the side in 1970 when they beat Royal in a magnificent
game at Nittawela for the first time. Still rugby lovers
talk about this game.
Sam played for Police SC and after a few years came
back to his home town and played for Kandy Sports Club
and also coached a few schools in Kandy.
One of the finest rugby referees of the country, Dirloy
Fernando will control the game.
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