The first round of the Schools Rugby League reached its final week and the match that drew interest was the Brady between Trinity and Royal.

This match was a prestige battle for more reasons than one. Besides, it will also decided the number one and two slots in the Schools Group B of segment no 1.

Further its also the first leg of the Bradby Shield which is an important event in the history of these schools. The school league so far has provided little entertainment and this game however drew large crowds to Kandy.

After the results of the games this week will be known as this column is read and who wins the top slot and the first leg will be known.

What will be more important to the supporters of both teams will be the result of the first leg than the league.

Before the kick off – Trinity principal Brig. Udaya Ariyartne (Rtd) introduced the teams and the match officials to the Chief Guest Janaka Kiridene who captained Trinity in 1978 along with Royal Principal Upali Gunasekara in the traditional manner.

Royal College team went unbeaten in the first round, in their segment with a well deserved victory against Trinity College. On the whole I think the Royalist should be very pleased the manner in which they played the game last Saturday at the Trinity College Rugby stadium at Pallekelle.

From the kick off they played to a set plan dominating all phases of the game with excitement and enthusiasm.

They displaced the basics – in the correct manner concentrating on attack at every opportunity, keeping the ball in possesion,with clever passes and advancing forward to score. Although they played well in the first half they failed to add points to their scoreboard.

Royal had the major share of the ball but were unable to make moves and convert them into points. The Royalist were marginally better placed because they were more accurate and disciplined in play and the handling was exceptional.

The forwards had the better of the game which enabled them to get a grip on the game and also gave them the points as well. Actually It was the Royal forwards who won them the game. They outplayed the opponents in the line outs, scrums, loose mauls etc.

Two vital mistakes Royal made in the first half was when they allowed Trinity to intercept and score to lead initially. Only after the break Royal got their act together to get on winning street.

Royalist were on a high after their 23-22 triumph in the first leg of the Bradby shield game in Kandy. In this game both were on even terms like last year, but the Royalist were fortunate to go away with a win after four conservative years of defeat.

The score reveals the true nature of the game just how tough it was last year in particular. The margins were tight throughout with one team knocking off the other in seemingly significant fashion. Right from the opening it was good rugby and this game was a delight to watch.

So, the conditions are obviously going to be tough in the second leg, which is scheduled for the 23rd of this month at the Royal College Sports Complex. The coaches will go all out to do their best to groom the boys for the next event. However, they may not like it, but it will make the most compelling drama to give the game a firecracker finish.

The Trinitians have to admit their disappointment, where they failed to use the right options at the right moment. It was also observed that when a penalty was awarded they took time to decide and often looked at the coaches probably for instructions.

Two vital penalty kicks within kicking range were missed and another was kicked to touch. If the right decision was made it would have helped them to turn the game their way. Of course, they could do it in the return provided they plan well and play to their potential which seemed lacking in Pallekele.

The present side has all the experience, rugby knowledge, with an abundance of facilities to performance, with the best coaching talent. Whatever is said and done, we do not rule out that Trinity did not play well. Their defense was exceptional which kept the high riding Royal players at bay. They matched them, but what they lacked was decision making, when trailing. They must add more points when the opportunity is there, particularly when penalties came their way.

Like in cricket where it is said “catches win matches” in rugby also one can say “Penalties win matches”. A penalty and kick at goal struck the upright, where they lost five points.

Trinitians failed to have a platform to really launch their game but they never gave up. They’ve got powerful runners, but in this game they failed in attack. However, they tackled well, stopping the Royal backs from going through with their powerful athletic potential. The energy coming from their team – they just need to channel it bettter. Hope they will do it in the second leg.

Finally the Royalists wanted to break the “Pallekelle” hoodoo and they did this time by scoring a goal, two tries and two penalty kicks at goal, Trinity replied with two goals, a try and a penalty kick at goal. It was an exciting final as both teams were seen playing good and clean rugby.

But in the end there could only be one winner.

Trinity entertained the home crowd by scoring first, at the end of the first quarter when scrum half Anuk Boyagoda scored a good try and Surnaga Guantialke converted it which gave the Trinitians a 7-0 lead.

A few minutes Royal’s Ovin Askey slotted a penalty to give them three points. Both sides came out aggressively with each having opportunities of scoring.

Both teams played great attacking rugby and had their moments of strong defense. In the end it was the perseverance of the Royalist in the final moments to stay cool and make the right decisions to earn the win in front of a record crowd.

Whatever the secret of its recent appeal rugby has always been most popular game at Trinity College, Kandy since it was first introduced in 1906, and strongly follow their Motto (Respica Finem) which means “Look to the end” so the 2nd Leg is bound to be most exciting with just one point lead in the 1st Leg.