Two unbeaten sides in Bradby rehearsal

By Shamseer Jaleel

Trinity College and Royal College both unbeaten in the Schools Under-19 Rugby League clash at Pallekele Trinity College Rugby Stadium today at 4.00 p.m. in a high-octane dress rehearsal for the Bradby Shield first leg.

Trinity enter the fixture buoyed by four commanding victories: 49/15 over Sumangala, 74/14 against Vidyartha, 48/19 versus Thurstan, and 29/7 over St. Joseph’s, amassing 200 points while conceding just 55.

Under captain Shafraz Usmaan’s inspirational leadership, the Lions have shown potent attacking arsenal, with  Shan Althaf, Nisith Kumarasinghe, Hamza Abdeen, Udan Wijekoon, Ammar Manzil and Abdul Malik being at peak form in the recent games.

Fly-half Abdul Malik aged just 16 years has marshalled Trinity’s back-line with precision, his tactical kicking pinning opponents deep in their own half with some superb kicks to touch in his very first season. Trinity is coached by Fazil Marija.

Royal College arrive unbeaten themselves, posting scores of 53/3 over Sumangala, 29/7 against Vidyartha, 74/15 versus Thurstan, and 33/14 over Joes totalling 189 points for and only 39 points against.

Led by Amika Samarasinghe, Royal’s disciplined pack lays the platform for a back-line stocked with talent. Naqeeb Mohomed, Disas Pathirana and Didula Jayasuriya have been outstanding this season for the Reid Avenue outfit. Royal is coached by Dushanth Lewke.

Both sides blend physical forward play with expansive backs, promising a strategic duel: Trinity’s rapid recycling versus Royal’s structured phases and territorial kicking battle.

Home-ground advantage and fervent crowds tilt slightly towards Trinity, yet Royal’s defensive cohesion and bench depth ensure they will not surrender easily.

As curtain-raiser to August’s Bradby Shield, this fixture offers invaluable insights in this encounter plus drawing the first blood before the much looked forward to Bradby first leg at the same venue on 23 August.