Lankan Rugby’s holy grail – The Bradby Shield will see its 79th edition on Saturday (23) at the Lions Den in Pallekele, Kandy as holders Trinity College led by Usmaan Safraz will host Royal College led by Amika Samarasinghe in what promises to be a crunch battle for the ages. Senani Gunaratne, the 1986 Trinity skipper will be the chief guest. The 2nd leg is on 6 September at the Royal Complex.
Last year, Trinity lifted the Bradby Shield with an overall aggregate of 42-39, with a one-point win (17-16) in Colombo and the dramatic 25-23 win in Pallekele to end a decade-long misery.
On paper, Trinity come out as favourites after running riot against Royal at the same venue in the league (34-12) and clinching the League championship title after 38 years. However Royal are back in red-hot form after a late resurgence in the latter season, they stepped on the gas pedal after their loss to Wesley and did well to end up 3rd in the league. Trinity had a tough blow losing to St. Peter's in their curtain closure to lose the unbeaten tag.
Referee – David Jacobus Brouwer.
Here are some historic moments from the last 8-decades of Bradby Shield:
Series tally
Trinity – 40
Royal – 36
Bradby wins after losing the 1st leg
Trinity – 1945, 1962, 1972, 2011
Royal – 1979, 1998, 2023
Best comebacks
1962 – Trinity victory
1st leg - Royal won 5-0
2nd leg - Trinity won 9-0
Aggregate: RC 5-9 TCK
1972 – Trinity victory
1st leg - -Royal won 9-8
2nd leg – Trinity won 10-3
Aggregate: RC 12-18 TCK
1979 – Royal victory
1st leg – Trinity won 4 -3
2nd leg – Royal won 18-0
Aggregate: RC 21-4 TCK
1998 – Royal victory
1st leg – Trinity won 20-18
2nd leg – Royal won 42-11
Aggregate: RC 60-31 TCK
2011 – Trinity victory
1st leg – Royal won 33-25
2nd leg – Trinity won 40-05
Aggregate: RC 38-65 TCK
2016 – Tied
1st leg – Royal won 22-17
2nd leg – Trinity won 18-13
Aggregate: RC 35-35 TCK
2023 – Royal victory
1st leg – Trinity won 13-10
2nd leg – Royal won 27-17
Aggregate: RC 37-30 TCK
Bradby Shield history in Pallekele (Lions Den)
Win tally
Trinity – 8
Royal – 4
First Bradby – 1997 (TCK won 14-06)
2015 – Royal's maiden win (23-22).
Highest points – TCK 37-25 RC (2013)