Another mauling by the Lions?

by Rukshan Razak

League champions, Trinity College, after their great performance a fortnight ago will go out as firm favourites, unless Royal comes out with a gallant display to tame the Lions in their own terrain in the return leg of the 68th Bradby Shield encounter, at the Trinity College Rugby Stadium, in Pallekele, today.

In the first leg, Trinity, with their superior set of three quarters, were outstanding, despite many decisions going against them, which almost stole the glamour of the sport in general and the game’s rich traditions. Yet the players of both teams should be commended over the manner in which they displayed themselves in the middle amidst distractions on and off the field.

In Colombo, Trinity College fully executed their game plan, and they will once again expect their forwards to feed their three-quarters with good ball, to do the talking.

In contrast, Royal’s woes were all too familiar as their mis-firing back division contributed to their loss. Yet, the Royalists, despite their loss do have the potential to come out with a threatening performance, provided they come up with a harmonized effort.

It is learnt that some of the players who were nursing injuries have recovered.

Bilal Yusoof, the Royal College coach speaking to ‘The Island’ on the eve of the match said that "we have done our homework and expect a much better performance."

"I am confident that the boys will play to their true potential, since this is the last opportunity to prove their worth," he added.

"I am also optimistic that the lads will deliver the desired results," asserted an unassuming Yusoof, who guided the destinies of the Sri Lanka Under-21 team, along with his counterpart from Trinity, Nilufer Ibrahim, at the last ASIAD.

Meanwhile, Ibrahim, who together with the expertise of Neil Foote from New Zealand have been steering the Lions admirably for the last two seasons said, "I expect the boys to start well, and I am sure a flying start by Trinity will be the end of Royal."

Trinity skipper Kaneel Seneviratne, a fourth year player, told ‘The Island’ that his boys were ready to start from the point they stopped at the Royal Complex and will, beyond doubt, rattle the elephants, while Royal skipper Arshard Jamaldeen, who could boast of equally good skills, stated that his teammates would bounce back.

The Trinity College authorities, who are hosting a Bradby for the second occasion at Pallekele, were making final arrangements at the venue to accommodate a capacity crowd of 15,000. Two thirds of the tickets have already been sold.

The two teams will be introduced to the chief guest C. Y. Chang (Snr.) the captain of the unbeaten Trinity College First XV rugby team of 1974, prior to the commencement of the game.

Records show that Trinity has won the trophy 36 times, while Royal has 30 wins. There was a draw in 1992.

Teams:

Royal

Arshad Jamaldeen (Captain), Eroshan De Alwis (Vice Captain), Lahiru Pavithra, Wasim Bawa, Andrew Siriwardena, Ijaaz Bohoran, Damien Ratwatte, Ravishan Dassanayake, Rimze Jamaldeen, Yasoon Weerasooriya, Devin De Silva, Nimshan Jayawardena, Sachin Vihanage, Shuayb Muthalip, Shahid Bahudeen, Pasindu Perera,

Udesh Udawatta, Dineth Karunaratne, Malaka Ihalagedara, Nevaan Perera, Sachin Unamboowe and Shuaib Jabbar.

Trinity

Kanil Seneviratne (Captain), Thisila Karunathilake (Vice Captain), Mohammed Singalaxana, Halique Wadood, Siva Krishanth, Dharshana Udalagama, Ryle Madena, Dhuli Samarakoon, Kanishka Yatawara, Isuru Rangala, Anuradha Karunathilake, Sanjaya Somasiri, Madura Hettiarachchi, Tarinda Ratwatte, Dureka Aluwihare, Sanchana Shiek, Mohammed Insaf,

Sankha Etulgama, Umesh Samarasekara,

Lochana Girihagama, Randhika Alwis Namitha Pethiyagoda and Tushan Dharmasena.

Referee - Dilroy Fernando

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