TRINITY FAVOURITES

ROYAL SQUAD
Seated L to R: Chathura Avishka (Trainer), Azmir Fajudeen (Forwards Coach), Dushanth Lewke (Head Coach), Jaliya Yasarathna (Senior Games Master), L.W.K. Silva (Senior Deputy Principal), Amika Samarasinghe (Captain), Athula Wijewardane (Principal), Idris Farook (Vice Captain), Nishantha Piumarachchi (Deputy Principal- Co CurriCular and Sports), Chithral Maheepala (Master In Charge), Iroshana Bandara (Team Manager), Banuka Nanayakkara (Backs Coach); 1st Row L to R: Senuja Ranasinghe, Naqeeb Mohamed, Disas Pathirana, Savistha Fernando, Yuwan Pathirana: 2nd Row L to R: Pawansanda Gunawardena (Physio), Kavan Ekanayake, Shaahid Mohideen, Aneeq Razul, Okitha Mudunkotuwa, Akira Yatawara, Anupa Wijerathna, Dinuka Perera, Raaid Mawsoof, Manuja Heenkenda, Rehan Rajakaruna, Anuk Dharmarathna, Samith Nimanka, Kanishka Rangana (Masseur); 3rd Row L to R: Hiruka Jayadinu, Methuka Balasooriya, Naasir Haniffa, Limitha Amarasinghe, Methuka Wickramarathne, Eshan Senevirathne, Yoshitha Jayasekara, Raid Bary, Didula Jayasuriya, Imthisal Nazeer, Simak Shafeek, Seyyed Althaf, Ishen Ranidu

By Shamseer Jaleel 

The stage is set for yet another classic chapter in Sri Lanka’s most prestigious school rugby rivalry as  Trinity College hosts Royal College in the first leg of the 79th Bradby Shield today at the Pallekele Rugby Stadium in Kandy.

The junior games are scheduled to commence at 12.30 p.m. while the First XV encounter will kick-off at 4.15 pm.

For Trinity, the 2025 season has already been memorable one with the Lions under the inspirational leadership of Usmaan Safraz and his team ended their 38-year-old drought in winning the league showing consistency, attacking flair, and team work.

Trinity’s league campaign was one to remember, as they beat Sumangala 49/15, Vidyartha 74/14, St. Joseph’s 29/7, Thurstan 48/19 and Royal 34/12. In round two they beat S. Thomas’ 36/19 to retain the Canon R.S. de Saram trophy, Isipathana 32/10 and edged out Wesley 23/21. In their final league game, they were beaten by St. Peter’s 20/22.

Meanwhile, in the President’s Trophy knockout tournament, they beat St. Anthony’s 62/5, S. Thomas’ 24/15, Zahira 29/12 and lost to Isipathana 9/12 in the final.

The defeat to St. Peter’s in the league and Isipathana in the knock out was seen more as a wake-up call than a setback. Trinity now shift their full focus to the Bradby Shield,the ultimate prize they value most above all other silverware.

Skipper Safraz has been the heartbeat of the side. A dynamic leader both on and off the field, he leads by example, ensuring Trinity’s flag flew high throughout the season. He has been ably supported by his co vice-captain Nisith Kumarasinghe who been the unsung hero for the Lions. The flanker been outstanding both in defence as well in attack showing great leadership qualities keeping the forwards together. He was named player of the Series at the recently concluded League tournament. 

The other co vice-captain Shan Althaf adds penalties plus drop goals to keep the opposition teams unsettled and his judicious kicks to touch will be vital to gain territory. Trinity number 8 Shyran Satheeshkumar and Hamza Abdeen are both improved players in the Lions outfit. Nippy scrum half, Udan Wijekoon links both forwards and three quarters to take maximum use plus never forgets to use his own talent when required. Winger Minula Yaddehige been outstanding on attack. He was out for the last two games and will return for this encounter to pair with Ammar Manzil while Sadeesha Weerawansa is the other player who is excellent in attack plus kicks to touch along with Abdul Malik.

Their Head Coach Fazil Marija turned things around after being with the Lions squad for the third year. He won the league for them after a lapse of 38 years and came close to winning the President’s trophy. 

TRINITY SQUAD
Nisith Kumarasinghe, Nisala Perera, Dishal Thomas, Naheel Jayah, Manusha Silva, Evin Jayasena, Hamza Abdeen, Akash Fernando, Ishara Premachandra, Tevin Udukumbura, Achintah Jayasena, Ravindu Jayasinghe, Rithika Weragama, Seth Wickramanayake, Onija Kodithuwakku, Heshan Kumarawansa, Deemal Thilakarathne, Ravishka Dissanayake, Shrayan Satheeshkumar, Vihanga Indhusara, Mohamed Asri, Usman Shafraz (C), Shan Althaf, Mukshidh Siyam, Ammaar Manzil, Bilal Nazeer, Amhir Faizal, Sadeesha Weerawansa, Mohamed Waqidh Ali, Raidma Nimneth, Ramindu Wanasinghe, Dimath Ambapitiya, Kevin Weerakoon, Abdul Malik, Maleesha Jayaneth, Mindinu Dissanayake, Minula Yaddehige, Murad Raizan, Udaan Wijekoon, Avishka Jayasekera

Meanwhile, Royal beat Kingswood 26/24, D.S. Senanayake 41/24 and lost to Isipathana 17/24 in the semi-final of the knock out tournament. In the league, Royal only lost to Trinity 12/34 and won the rest of the encounters in round one against Thurstan (74/15), Sumangala (53/13), St. Joseph’s (33/14) and Vidyartha (29/7).

Royal won the B.C. Anghie Trophy, Michael Gunaratne Trophy and Major Milroy Fernando Trophy this season. They are led by star centre Amika Samarasinghe and well supported by Disas Pathirana, Idris Farook and Naqeeb Mohomed. The other player who could fit in two positions is Didula Jayasuriya, a fantastic player in attack at winger also a very safe full back.

Dushanth Lewke took over the Reid Avenue outfit as an assistant coach in 2013 while taking charge of the side in 2018. Since then he had taken Royal to 2018 unbeaten and 2019 league champions. He is the only coach to take both the school (Royal) and club (CR) unbeaten for league wins. 

As the teams line up at Pallekelle, the Lions will be fuelled by confidence from their earlier league win over Royal, but they know the Bradby is always a different contest and they will need to start as a fresh game.

Referee: David Jacobus Brouwer (South Africa)
Trinity 1986 skipper Senani Gunaratne will be the chief guest.