Bradby Shield Encounter

The The Bradby Shield Encounter, colloquially referred to as The Bradby, is an esteemed event within Sri Lanka's school rugby union season. This annual fixture takes place between two renowned boys’ schools in the country, namely Royal College, Colombo, and Trinity College, Kandy. The encounter involves two legs, with one currently held at the Royal College Sports Complex in Colombo and the other at the Trinity College Rugby Stadium in Pallekele. The winner of the competition is determined based on the aggregate of scores from both matches, typically played a couple of weeks apart.

The Bradby Shield
SportRugby union
Teams
First meeting1945
Trinity 6, Royal 3
Latest meeting2023
Royal 37, Trinity 30
Next meeting2024
StadiumsRoyal College Sports Complex
Trinity College Rugby Stadium
TrophyThe Bradby Shield
Statistics
Meetings total77
All-time seriesTrinity leads, 39–36–2
Largest victoryRoyal, 83–0 (2002)
Longest win streakTrinity, 6 (1952–1957)
Current win streakRoyal, 5 (2017–present)
🌍
Location Map
1
Royal College
2
Royal College Sports Complex
3
Trinity College
4
Trinity College Rugby Stadium

This rugby fixture garners significant attention from spectators across the country. It is considered the most widely viewed rugby match in Sri Lanka, drawing larger crowds than both inter-club and international fixtures. This important event serves as a social gathering for the current and past pupils, their families, extended families and well-wishers with near-capacity attendance at venues and a significant viewership for the live broadcasts, both domestically and internationally.[1]

History

Royal College and Trinity College, two distinguished institutions of Sri Lanka, were among the pioneers to embrace the game of rugby union, with their maiden match held on the 31 July 1920, marking a historic milestone. Subsequently, this remarkable encounter evolved into a yearly tradition, where Trinity College maintained an unbeaten streak for the first two decades, until their first defeat to Royal College in 1941. Notably, in 1945, Mr. E. L. Bradby, the Principal of Royal College,[2] extended an offer to Mr. C. E. Simithraaratchy, the Principal of Trinity College,[3] proposing the donation of a coveted Shield. Mr Simithraaratchy graciously accepted this proposal. The Shield was to be contested annually, with the victor being the college that achieved the highest total score over the two-leg series, one leg played in Colombo and the other in Kandy, as initiated in 1943.[4][5][6]

This annual event has persevered through the years, with the exception of the year 1971, where only the first leg was played due to the 1971 JVP insurrection. The Shield was presented to Royal College, the victors of the first leg.[7] The COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the event in both 2020 and 2021, marking the only other time in which this illustrious event could not take place.[8][9]

The Shield

The Shield, a product of Kandyan silversmiths, was graciously bestowed upon the series by Principal E.L. Bradby before his departure from Ceylon in 1945. A wooden disk of exquisite design, it is embellished with intricate, traditional Kandyan silverwork, serving as a treasured symbol of victory and an enduring testament to the magnificence of this storied encounter.

Following the conclusion of the second leg of the series, the Shield is ceremoniously presented to the captain of the triumphant team in an award ceremony conducted on the playing field. The winning team is then afforded the privilege of retaining possession of this esteemed trophy until the next year, whereupon it will be proudly showcased at their school, eagerly awaiting the commencement of another fiercely contested and highly anticipated clash

Venue

The Bradby Shield encounter is generally played in two legs, one in Colombo and the other in Kandy. Historically, the Colombo match was played at Longden Place, and since 1987, at the Sugathadasa Stadium. Matches were relocated to the Royal College Sports Complex in 2002, where they have been hosted ever since. Meanwhile, the Kandy leg of the tournament was held at the Bogambara Stadium or at the Nittawela Rugby Stadium. Since 2012, this event has been contested at Trinity College's home ground, Trinity College Rugby Stadium in Pallekele.

Royal vs. Trinity rugby match results: 1920–1944
Match Year RC Captain TC Captain Date Venue Score Winner
RC TC
01 1920 C. G. A. Perera H. Ellis 31 July Thurstan Road, Colombo 00 26 Trinity
- 1921 No Match
02 1922 G. H. Senarathne A. P. Maralande 4 August Bogambara Stadium, Kandy 00 34 Trinity (2)
03 1923 W. P. L. Abeyratne P. A. Buultjens 28 July Reid Avenue, Colombo 00 17 Trinity (3)
04 1924 J. R. Jayewardene P.A. Buultjens 1 August Bogambara Stadium, Kandy 03 37 Trinity (4)
05 1925 D. W. L. Lieversz (Snr.) A. N. Myanga 18 July Thurstan Road, Colombo 00 46 Trinity (5)
- 1926 No Match
- 1927 No Match
06 1928 H. S. Roberts M. Khin Maung 4 August Reid Avenue, Colombo 06 23 Trinity (6)
- 1929 No Match
07 1930 R. C. W. Paulusz J. Duncan 5 August Bogambara Stadium, Kandy 00 29 Trinity (7)
08 1931 G. A. K Rockwood J. Duncan 25 July Longden Place, Colombo 00 27 Trinity (8)
09 1932 S. A. Dissanyake S. Ratwatte 30 July Bogambara Stadium, Kandy 00 09 Trinity (9)
10 1933 M. S. Ahamath E. W. A. Buultjens 15 July Reid Avenue, Colombo 00 19 Trinity (10)
- 1934 No Match
11 1935 W. B. V. Thiedeman R. Breckenridge 13 July Reid Avenue, Colombo 00 19 Trinity (11)
12 1936 C. de S. Illesinghe O. L. Izzadeen 11 July Bogambara Stadium, Kandy 03 11 Trinity (12)
13 1937 E. I. Grey O. L. Izzadeen 17 July Reid Avenue, Colombo 00 16 Trinity (13)
14 1938 R. H. Aldons W. Molegoda 25 June Bogambara Stadium, Kandy 13 14 Trinity (14)
15 1939 S. E. Toussaint V. K. Vellayan 29 July Reid Avenue, Colombo 03 14 Trinity (15)
16 1940 R. Kadiragamar S. B. Dissanayake 20 July Bogambara Stadium, Kandy 03 09 Trinity (16)
17 1941 M. N. Jilla S. B. Dissanayake 12 July Reid Avenue, Colombo 11 03 Royal
18 1942 A. R. Demmer W. Jenkins 25 July Reid Avenue, Colombo 00 22 Trinity (17)
19 1943 C. O. Foenander W. Jenkins 11 July Police Park, Colombo 06 00 Royal (2)
20 1943 S. Navaratnam W. Jenkins 24 July Bogambara Stadium, Kandy 05 03 Royal (3)
21 1944 N. Vancuylenberg M. G. Wright 7 July Thurstan Road, Colombo 00 15 Trinity (18)
22 1944 N. Vancuylenberg M. G. Wright 21 July Bogambara Stadium, Kandy 00 17 Trinity (19)

Bradby Shield series

Summary of results
Bradby Shield series summary Bradby Shield matches summary
Played Royal Trinity Drawn Played Royal Trinity Drawn
77[lower-alpha 1] 36 39 02 153[lower-alpha 2] 72 70 11

Series results
Series Year RC Captain TC Captain Date Venue Score Winner
RC TC
1 1945 C. D. L. Fernando R. G. Sourjah (1L)

S. B. Pilapitiya (2L)

 13 July Racecourse, Colombo 03 00 Trinity
20 July Bogambara Stadium, Kandy 00 06
2 1946 M. Rodrigo S. B. Pilapitiya 6 July Police Park, Colombo 03 00 Trinity (2)
20 July Bogambara Stadium, Kandy 00 08
3 1947 N. W. Karunaratne G. Sanmugam 12 July Bogambara Stadium, Kandy 00 06 Trinity (3)
9 August Police Park, Colombo 00 00
4 1948 A. A. Cader A. R. A. Mohomed 3 July Police Park, Colombo 06 03 Royal
17 July Bogambara Stadium, Kandy 08 06
5 1949 G. C. Weinman K. Arumugam 3 July Reid Avenue, Colombo 05 03 Royal (2)
16 July Bogambara Stadium, Kandy 08 03
6 1950 T. St. C. Anghie S. S. Bambaradeniya 8 June Bogambara Stadium, Kandy 00 06 Trinity (4)
24 July Racecourse, Colombo 03 05
7 1951 H. E. Wijesinghe M. S. Panditharatne 4 July Longden Place, Colombo 19 03 Royal (3)
21 July Bogambara Stadium, Kandy 13 05
8 1952 A. B. Van Twest M. S. Panditharatne 5 July Police Park, Colombo 00 06 Trinity (5)
19 July Bogambara Stadium, Kandy 00 12
9 1953 T. S. Almeida (1L)

T. L. K. Mendis (2L)

 D. Madugalle 4 July Bogambara Stadium, Kandy 00 13 Trinity (6)
22 July Longden Place, Colombo 00 03
10 1954 K. W. W. Edwards L. L. Vitharana 10 July Longden Place, Colombo 00 05 Trinity (7)
24 July Bogambara Stadium, Kandy 05 06
11 1955 C. V. Gunaratne M. G. Ratwatte 11 July Bogambara Stadium, Kandy 00 06 Trinity (8)
20 July Longden Place, Colombo 00 00
12 1956 T. L. Almeida D. N. Frank 4 July Racecourse, Colombo 00 15 Trinity (9)
28 July Bogambara Stadium, Kandy 00 11
13 1957 R. Sivaratnam K. B. de Joedt 6 July Bogambara Stadium, Kandy 00 08 Trinity (10)
19 July Longden Place, Colombo 08 09
14 1958 D. N. Fernando K. B. de Joedt 12 July Longden Place, Colombo 06 00 Royal (4)
26 July Nittawela Rugby Stadium, Kandy 00 00
15 1959 M. L. Anghie D. L. Kobbekaduwa 4 July Bogambara Stadium, Kandy 05 00 Royal (5)
18 July Longden Place, Colombo 06 00
16 1960 H. S. de Silva E. D. K. Roles 2 July Havelock Park, Colombo 03 05 Trinity (11)
16 July University Grounds, Peradeniya 00 08
17 1961 J. V. P. Samarasekara J. W. Jayawardena 1 July Bogambara Stadium, Kandy 06 03 Royal (6)
15 July Longden Place, Colombo 08 00
18 1962 U. L. Kaluaratchi N. T. E. Brohier 14 July Longden Place, Colombo 05 00 Trinity (12)
28 July Bogambara Stadium, Kandy 00 09
19 1963 M. Jayakumar B. D. A. Piyasena 11 July Bogambara Stadium, Kandy 06 06 Trinity (13)
27 July Longden Place, Colombo 03 05
20 1964 K. D. T. Paul M. T. Sahayam 11 July Longden Place, Colombo 03 00 Royal (7)
25 July Nittawela Rugby Stadium, Kandy 14 06
21 1965 U. P. Wickramasinghe M. T. M. Zarook 10 July Nittawela Rugby Stadium, Kandy 08 03 Royal (8)
24 July Longden Place, Colombo 03 03
22 1966 I. R. Thurairatnam E. G. Van Langenberg 9 July Longden Place, Colombo 03 03 Trinity (14)
23 July Bogambara Stadium, Kandy 03 08
23 1967 D. J. Perera (1L)

N. B. L. Lieversz (2L)

 A. L. Abeyratne 4 July University Grounds, Peradeniya 03 17 Trinity (15)
20 July Longden Place, Colombo 03 16
24 1968 C. R. de Silva A. L. Abeyratne 9 July Longden Place, Colombo 19 00 Royal (9)
24 July University Grounds, Peradeniya 05 03
25 1969 M. H. C. Malwatte M. S. Jainudeen 5 July University Grounds, Peradeniya 00 08 Trinity (16)
18 July Longden Place, Colombo 03 09
26 1970 C. J. Fernando S. P. Samarasekara 4 July Longden Place, Colombo 03 19 Trinity (17)
21 July Nittawela Rugby Stadium, Kandy 12 16
27 1971 F. R. Perera Y. S. Ping 29 July Longden Place, Colombo 22 03 Royal (10)
No 2nd leg due to 1971 JVP insurrection
28 1972 G. D. S. Gunasekara A. E. Unantenne 1 July Longden Place, Colombo 09 08 Trinity (18)
15 July Nittawela Rugby Stadium, Kandy 03 10
29 1973 M. G. Muller J. K. Yu 9 July Nittawela Rugby Stadium, Kandy 18 04 Royal (11)
21 July Maitland Crescent, Colombo 04 12
30 1974 M. B. Akbar C. Y. Ching 6 July Longden Place, Colombo 03 18 Trinity (19)
20 July Nittawela Rugby Stadium, Kandy 09 12
31 1975 H. A. I. Hassen M. R. Sourjah 12 July Nittawela Rugby Stadium, Kandy 13 11 Royal (12)
19 July Longden Place, Colombo 21 03
32 1976 M. Weerakumar S. V. Ranasinghe 3 July Longden Place, Colombo 36 00 Royal (13)
17 July Bogambara Stadium, Kandy 25 06
33 1977 S. S. Hashim R. N. Balasuriya 2 July Bogambara Stadium, Kandy 06 12 Trinity (20)
16 July Longden Place, Colombo 04 10
34 1978 K. R. T. Peiris J. R. Kiridena 3 July Longden Place, Colombo 00 00 Royal (14)
15 July Bogambara Stadium, Kandy 08 04
35 1979 R. P. Gunasekara J. V. Tissera 7 July Bogambara Stadium, Kandy 03 04 Royal (15)
21 July Longden Place, Colombo 18 00
36 1980 S. Sujanthakumar T. B. Ellepola 5 July Longden Place, Colombo 07 03 Royal (16)
19 July Nittawela Rugby Stadium, Kandy 16 03
37 1981 N. S. Cooray R. Bandaranayake 4 July Nittawela Rugby Stadium, Kandy 03 16 Trinity (21)
18 July Longden Place, Colombo 10 03
38 1982 H. Muttiah B. S. J. Fernando 3 July Longden Place, Colombo 06 09 Trinity (22)
17 July Nittawela Rugby Stadium, Kandy 04 06
39 1983 S. Cooray A. D. Ratwatte 2 July Bogambara Stadium, Kandy 06 14 Trinity (23)
16 July Longden Place, Colombo 10 06
40 1984 S. Agalawatte D. M. Wijesinghe 7 July Longden Place, Colombo 06 03 Royal (17)
21 July Bogambara Stadium, Kandy 00 00
41 1985 C. Nanayakkara M. Jayatissa 6 July Bogambara Stadium, Kandy 09 18 Trinity (24)
20 July Longden Place, Colombo 04 03
42 1986 M. J. Peiris S. N. Gunaratne 5 July Longden Place, Colombo 03 06 Trinity (25)
19 July Bogambara Stadium, Kandy 03 09
43 1987 H. A. S. Madanayake (1L)

R. de Z. Gunarathne (2L)

 T. Rajapakse 2 July Bogambara Stadium, Kandy 03 07 Trinity (26)
18 July Sugathadasa Stadium, Colombo 03 19
44 1988 L. W. de Z. Gunarathne B. Dandeniya 2 July Sugathadasa Stadium, Colombo 24 00 Royal (18)
16 July Bogambara Stadium, Kandy 13 00
45 1989 J. H. A. Dhammika R. Ranaraja 5 August Bogambara Stadium, Kandy 09 06 Royal (19)
14 August Sugathadasa Stadium, Colombo 09 08
46 1990 R. Jayasuriya W. D. S. Premaratne (1L)

R. Kalpage (2L)

 6 July Sugathadasa Stadium, Colombo 23 08 Royal (20)
21 July Bogambara Stadium, Kandy 00 06
47 1991 M. Dahanayake M. A. Deen 6 July Bogambara Stadium, Kandy 04 12 Trinity (27)
20 July Sugathadasa Stadium, Colombo 10 25
48 1992 H. Wijesinghe H. M. Goonetileke 4 July Sugathadasa Stadium, Colombo 03 03 Draw
19 July Nittawela Rugby Stadium, Kandy 00 00
49 1993 C. R. A. Abeysuriya N. Muhandiramge 26 June Nittawela Rugby Stadium, Kandy 03 00 Royal (21)
10 July Sugathadasa Stadium, Colombo 10 03
50 1994 R. Malalasekara A. M. Rally 18 June Sugathadasa Stadium, Colombo 10 03 Royal (22)
2 July Nittawela Rugby Stadium, Kandy 08 08
51 1995 A. Assen M. A. H. Omar 17 June Nittawela Rugby Stadium, Kandy 03 06 Trinity (28)
1 July Sugathadasa Stadium, Colombo 06 22
52 1996 R. Gunatilake S. Amarasinghe 22 June Sugathadasa Stadium, Colombo 03 30 Trinity (29)
6 July Nittawela Rugby Stadium, Kandy 03 12
53 1997 A. Yusuf N. S. Fernando 21 June Trinity College Rugby Stadium, Pallekele 06 14 Trinity (30)
5 July Sugathadasa Stadium, Colombo 18 11
54 1998 W. S. S. R. Perera P. Jayawardena 20 June Sugathadasa Stadium, Colombo 18 20 Royal (23)
4 July Bogambara Stadium, Kandy 42 11
55 1999 D. R. Rahim R. Wickramasiri 19 June Bogambara Stadium, Kandy 10 19 Trinity (31)
3 July Sugathadasa Stadium, Colombo 07 13
56 2000 S. Perera H. A. Luchow 17 June Sugathadasa Stadium, Colombo 25 32 Trinity (32)
1 July Bogambara Stadium, Kandy 20 17
57 2001 H. Kaluaratchi T. Jayawardena 23 June Bogambara Stadium, Kandy 12 06 Royal (24)
7 July Sugathadasa Stadium, Colombo 16 00
58 2002 Z. Hamid N. S. A. Mendis 13 July Royal College Sports Complex, Colombo 39 00 Royal (25)
27 July Bogambara Stadium, Kandy 44 00
59 2003 R. Jayasundara M. Maddumapatabendi 19 July Bogambara Stadium, Kandy 13 11 Royal (26)
2 August Royal College Sports Complex, Colombo 13 08
60 2004 A. L. Dissanayake D. Senarath 7 August Royal College Sports Complex, Colombo 41 06 Royal (27)
21 August Bogambara Stadium, Kandy 10 00
61 2005 V. Wijewardene B. N. R. Fernando 10 September Bogambara Stadium, Kandy 06 36 Trinity (33)
24 September Royal College Sports Complex, Colombo 07 33
62 2006 C. S. Gamage I. Maddumapatabendi 9 September Royal College Sports Complex, Colombo 10 21 Trinity (34)
23 September Trinity College Rugby Stadium, Pallekele 05 26
63 2007 M. Abeyratne M. Wickramasiri (1L)

S. Wanigasekara (2L)

 9 June Bogambara Stadium, Kandy 20 12 Royal (28)
23 June Royal College Sports Complex, Colombo 15 11
64 2008 S. Lenaduwa M. N. Gunawardena 14 June Royal College Sports Complex, Colombo 12 24 Trinity (35)
28 June Trinity College Rugby Stadium, Pallekele 08 00
65 2009 N. Dhason V. Wijesinghe 30 May Trinity College Rugby Stadium, Pallekele 22 12 Royal (29)
13 June Royal College Sports Complex, Colombo 31 15
66 2010 D. Attygalle D. Dissanayake 12 May Royal College Sports Complex, Colombo 38 37 Royal (30)
26 May Bogambara Stadium, Kandy 34 17
67 2011 S. Pathirana M. Ramzeen 28 May Bogambara Stadium, Kandy 33 25 Trinity (36)
11 June Royal College Sports Complex, Colombo 05 40
68 2012 A. Jamaldeen K. Seneviratne 16 June Royal College Sports Complex, Colombo 11 34 Trinity (37)
30 June Trinity College Rugby Stadium, Pallekele 20 36
69 2013 R. Jamaldeen S. Singalaxana (1L)

H. Wadood (2L)

 1 June Trinity College Rugby Stadium, Pallekele 25 37 Trinity (38)
15 June Royal College Sports Complex, Colombo 13 09
70 2014 N. Jayawardena T. Ratwatte 10 May Royal College Sports Complex, Colombo 16 28 Trinity (39)
24 May Trinity College Rugby Stadium, Pallekele 18 19
71 2015 B. Gamage I. Rangala 9 May Trinity College Rugby Stadium, Pallekele 23 22 Royal (31)
24 May Royal College Sports Complex, Colombo 49 00
72 2016 N. Gunadheera R. Karunanayake 30 April Royal College Sports Complex, Colombo 22 17 Draw (2)
14 May Trinity College Rugby Stadium, Pallekele 13 18
73 2017 O. Askey N. Yee 20 May Trinity College Rugby Stadium, Pallekele 22 17 Royal (32)
3 June Royal College Sports Complex, Colombo 13 08
74 2018 S. Feroze A. Shiek 21 April Royal College Sports Complex, Colombo 39 07 Royal (33)
5 May Trinity College Rugby Stadium, Pallekele 27 19
75 2019 T. Hassen R. Bandaranayake 1 June Trinity College Rugby Stadium, Pallekele 34 17 Royal (34)
15 June Royal College Sports Complex, Colombo 13 24
- 2020 No matches due to COVID-19 pandemic - - - - -
- - - -
- 2021 No matches due to COVID-19 pandemic - - - - -
- - - -
76 2022 H. Peiris L. Moragoda 20 August Royal College Sports Complex, Colombo 29 00 Royal (35)
3 September Trinity College Rugby Stadium, Pallekele 21 26
77 2023 R. Senanayake A. Manzil 22 July Trinity College Rugby Stadium, Pallekele 10 13 Royal (36)
5 August Royal College Sports Complex, Colombo 27 17

Royal vs. Trinity rugby matches in other competitions
Tournament Year RC Captain TC Captain Date Venue Score Winner
RC TC
R. Premadasa Trophy

Quarter-finals

 1987 H. A. S. Madanayake T. Rajapakse 30 August Sugathadasa Stadium, Colombo 06 10 Trinity
R. Premadasa Trophy

Quarter-finals

 1993 C. R. A. Abeysuriya N. Muhandiramge 6 September Sugathadasa Stadium, Colombo 06 09 Trinity
Milo President's Trophy

Quarter-finals

 2014 N. Jayawardena T. Ratwatte 3 July Royal College Sports Complex, Colombo 30 29 Royal
Dialog Schools Rugby League

Game Week 03

 2022 H. Peiris L. Moragoda 8 July Royal College Sports Complex, Colombo 20 21 Trinity

Notable people who have played

The souvenir

Since 1977, the Royal College Interact Club has published the Bradby Shield souvenir to commemorate the encounter's Colombo leg. Royal College Interact Club[16]

Bradby express

The Bradby express was the name given to the regular Intercity Express train service offered by the Sri Lanka Railways that was packed with students and old boys from both schools on their way to the Kandy leg of the encounter - hence the name Bradby Express. It started off in the 1950s and was held yearly until the mid-1980s, when it was halted due to security concerns resulting from the intensification of the Sri Lankan Civil War and the Insurrection 1987-89.

Since the end of the Sri Lankan Civil War, a chartered train dubbed as The Bradby express has served this role, transporting Royal supporters to and from Kandy for the event.[17]

Bradby golf

Former Royal and Trinity students compete for the G. C. Wickremesinghe Challenge Trophy, a golf tournament hosted at the Victoria Golf & Country Resort since 2016 before the Kandy leg of the event.[18]

Notable moments in Bradby Shield history

Match statistics
Winning the encounter after losing the 1st leg Royal 03 (1979, 1998 and 2023)
Trinity 05 (1945, 1946, 1962, 1972 and 2011)
Winning the encounter after drawing the 1st leg Royal 01 (1978)
Trinity 02 (1963 and 1966)
The biggest comeback win Royal Lost the 1st leg 18–20 in 1998, but won the 2nd leg 42–11 and the encounter by a margin of 29 points.[19]
Trinity Lost the 1st leg 25–33 in 2011, but won the 2nd leg 40–05 and overturned a deficit of 08 points to win the encounter by a margin of 27 points.[20]
Longest winning streak Royal 05 - From 2017 to 2023 (series suspended in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19 pandemic).
Trinity 06 - The longest winning streak in the series, between 1952 and 1957.[21]
The highest aggregate score by a team in an encounter Royal 83 points in 2002 is the record for the highest aggregate score by a team in the series over two legs.[22][23]
Trinity 70 points in 2012.
The highest margin of victory in an encounter Royal 83 points in 2002 (83–00) is the highest recorded victory margin in the series over two legs.
Trinity 56 points in 2005 (69–13).
The record for the highest score achieved by a team in a single match Royal 49 points in 2015 2nd leg, is the highest recorded in a single match.
Trinity 40 points in 2011 2nd leg.
The highest aggregate score achieved by both teams in a single match 75 points in 2010 1st leg, with Royal winning 38–37.[24]
The highest aggregate score achieved by both teams in an encounter 126 points in 2010, with Royal winning 72–54.[25]
Drawn encounters In 1992, the Bradby encounter ended in a draw as both legs concluded with a score of 03–03 in the 1st leg and 00–00 in the 2nd leg. This marked the first time such an outcome had occurred in Bradby history.

The second drawn encounter took place in 2016, with Royal winning the 1st leg 22–17 and Trinity winning the 2nd leg 18–13. [26]

Other interesting events
  • Due to security concerns stemming from the 1971 JVP Insurrection, only the 1st leg of the 1971 contest was staged between the schools. The Shield was awarded to Royal College as a result of the 1st leg at an assembly by Mr E. L. Fernando, the then-principal of Trinity College.[7]
  • Mr. and Mrs. E. L. Bradby travelled to Sri Lanka as guests of The Royal College Union in 1983 for the 2nd leg, which also happened to be the 100th rugby football match between Royal and Trinity.[27]
  • The 2nd leg match of the 2008 contest marked the 150th meeting between Royal and Trinity.
  • The 2019 encounter marked the 75th anniversary of the series. The matches were postponed numerous times in the aftermath of the 2019 Sri Lanka Easter bombings and was played under heightened security.[28][29]
  • Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the series was suspended in 2020 and 2021, marking the first time in its history that the Bradby series was totally halted.[8][9]

See also

Notes
  1. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the series was suspended in 2020 and 2021
  2. Due to the JVP insurrection only the 1st Leg was played in 1971

References
  1. Stoney, Emma (25 April 2012). "A Passion for Rugby in an Unexpected Place". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 13 September 2017. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  2. Dissanayaka, T. D. S. A. (13 July 2003). "Sacred to the Memory of Principal E. L. Bradby". Blue & Gold. Archived from the original on 12 March 2023. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  3. "Mr. C. E. Simithraaratchy". Trinity College Kandy. Archived from the original on 27 May 2023. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  4. "Bradby". The Royal College. Archived from the original on 12 March 2023. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  5. "The Bradby Shield – Sri Lanka Schools' Coveted Rugby Encounter". Asia Rugby. 31 July 2020. Archived from the original on 10 July 2023. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  6. Marikar, Hafiz (30 May 2019). "The Beginnings of Bradby". Daily News. Archived from the original on 2 October 2023. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  7. Ratnatunga, Janek (12 June 2021). "The 1971 Bradby – "The Shocker at the Rugger"". Sunday Observer. Archived from the original on 2 October 2023. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  8. Marikar, Hafiz (7 November 2020). "Bradby Shield: a no-go". Daily News. Archived from the original on 2 October 2023. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  9. Silva, Sujith (21 August 2022). "Royal in a Runaway Victory, Take 1st Leg of 76th Bradby". Quadrangle. Archived from the original on 2 June 2023. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  10. Balendra, Ken; Gunaratna, Mithila (27 July 2008). "Great buddy, born leader and thoroughly sporty helmsman". The Sunday Times. Archived from the original on 22 March 2023. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  11. "Disciplined Industrialist". LMD. 8 November 2022. Archived from the original on 12 March 2023. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  12. Dissanaike, Gishan (15 September 2016). "Michael Kagwa Snr (Ernest Mikaeri Kawalya Kagwa)". Trinity College. Archived from the original on 12 March 2023. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  13. "Africa, Trinity and the Kagwas". Trinity College. 15 September 2016. Archived from the original on 6 June 2023. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  14. Abeyratne, Hilary (15 September 2016). "Michael Kagwa Jnr (Hamilton Michael Kagwa)". Trinity College. Archived from the original on 12 March 2023. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  15. Jameel, Abidh (22 July 2021). "Silk and Steel: Denzil Lakshman Kobbekaduwa". Trinity College. Archived from the original on 12 March 2023. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  16. "GlidAR creates Augmented Reality experience for 75th Bradby Shield Souvenir". Daily FT. 6 July 2019. Archived from the original on 6 August 2023. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  17. Ratnayake, Yasas (20 June 2010). "The Bradby express". The Sunday Times. Archived from the original on 23 April 2023. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  18. Jaleel, Shamseer (20 July 2023). "Old Trinitians clinch Bradby Golf 2023". Daily FT. Archived from the original on 22 July 2023. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  19. Izzadeen, Saif; Seneviratne, Shane (5 July 1998). "Royal romp to record victory". The Sunday Times. Archived from the original on 13 June 2023. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  20. Jaleel, Shamseer (12 June 2011). "Trinity end Royal reign". The Sunday Times. Archived from the original on 13 April 2023. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  21. de Joodt, Ken (26 October 2015). "David and His Lionhearts". Quadrangle. Archived from the original on 9 June 2023. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  22. "The Most Amazing Feeling was Raising the Bradby Shield". ThePapare.com. 19 April 2018. Archived from the original on 10 March 2023. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  23. Abdeen, S. M. Jiffrey (28 July 2002). "Trinity whipped again and Royal take 'Bradby". Sunday Observer. Archived from the original on 6 August 2023. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  24. Weerawansa, Dinesh (26 June 2010). "Can Royal tame Trinity Lions in their den?". Daily News. Archived from the original on 9 June 2023. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  25. Abdeen, S. M. Jiffrey (27 June 2010). "A Right Royal Bradby Win". Sunday Observer. Archived from the original on 10 March 2023. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
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