The 79th edition of the storied Bradby Shield series this year between Trinity and Royal, is set to kick off on 23 August with the first-leg fixture to be played at Pallekele Stadium.

The return leg is scheduled to take place a fortnight later (6 September) at the Royal Sports Complex in Colombo, with Trinity going into the series in the upcoming season having regained the coveted Shield, after a lapse of 10 years last year.

The ‘Lions’ led by loose forward Thisanga Dissanayake posted close wins 17-16 in Colombo and 25-23 in Pallekele respectively in the two legs, to end the victory drought in 2024.

Currently Trinity leads the series tally with 40 wins, to that of 36 secured by the lads from Reid Avenue, with both teams set to feature in the same group of the Schools League Rugby Tournament for 2025, before the advent of the Bradby.

The series is named after former Royal Principal E.L. Bradby has been contested between the two schools since 1945.

 (JK)