Bradby Shield Encounter
Encyclopedia
The Bradby Shield Encounter - commonly known as "The Bradby" - is the blue ribbon of Sri Lanka
's school rugby union
season. It is played annually between traditional rivals Royal College, Colombo, and Trinity College, Kandy
. The encounter consists of two legs, one being played in the Royal College Sports Complex
in Colombo
, and the other in Bogambara Stadium
in Kandy
. The winner is decided on the aggregate of the scores from these two matches, usually played a few weeks apart. The Bradby is generally played in late August or early September and is the most watched rugby match in the country, drawing more spectators than either inter-club or international fixtures.It is also an important social event of the Sri Lanka's elite.
, and the first historic match between these schools was played on the 31st of July, 1920. This was made a yearly encounter, with Trinity College winning for the first 21 years, until the Royalists recorded their first victory in 1941. In 1945, the principal of Royal College, E.L. Bradby, put forward the idea of playing an annual two-match series, to which the principal of Trinity College, Mr C. E. Simithraaratchy, readily agreed. To ensure the success of the series, Principal Bradby offered a shield which was to be held for a period of one year by the winner of the series. The series has been played annually and uninterrupted ever since.
On winning the series, the shield is presented to the winning teams captain at an award ceremony held on the playing field immediately following the end of the second leg. The winning team is then privileged to hand the shield over to their school, where it is kept on display until next year, where it will again be up for grabs.
until matches were transferred to the Royal College Rugby Ground in the early 2000s. The Kandy venue is the Bogambara Stadium
.
Matches 20
Matches 20
Matches 19
Matches 20
Matches 20
Matches 20
Matches 14
Overall Bradby Shield Record
Trinitians
which was filled with students and old boys heading for the Kandy leg of the encounter hence the name the "Bradby Express." Originating from the 1950s it was continued annually until the mid-1980s when it was stopped due to security concerns with the escalation of the Sri Lankan Civil War
and the Insurrection 1987-89
. The tradition was revived with the effort of the Royal College Group of 2007 who booked a special train exclusively for the Bradby fans.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
's school rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
season. It is played annually between traditional rivals Royal College, Colombo, and Trinity College, Kandy
Trinity College, Kandy
Trinity College, Kandy founded in 1872 by Anglican missionaries, is an Independent elite private boys’ school providing primary and secondary education in Sri Lanka...
. The encounter consists of two legs, one being played in the Royal College Sports Complex
Royal College Sports Complex
Royal College Sports Complex is the rugby union grounds of Royal College Colombo, it was formally known as the Royal College Rugby Grounds. It is home to multi-use stadium and sports complex.-Sports:...
in Colombo
Colombo
Colombo is the largest city of Sri Lanka. It is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, the capital of Sri Lanka. Colombo is often referred to as the capital of the country, since Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte is a satellite city of Colombo...
, and the other in Bogambara Stadium
Bogambara Stadium
Bogambara Stadium is one of the oldest grounds in the country. It is a multi-use stadium in Kandy, Sri Lanka. It is currently used mostly for Rugby matches and hosts the games of the Singer Sri Lankan Airlines Rugby 7's.-Early history:...
in Kandy
Kandy
Kandy is a city in the center of Sri Lanka. It was the last capital of the ancient kings' era of Sri Lanka. The city lies in the midst of hills in the Kandy plateau, which crosses an area of tropical plantations, mainly tea. Kandy is one of the most scenic cities in Sri Lanka; it is both an...
. The winner is decided on the aggregate of the scores from these two matches, usually played a few weeks apart. The Bradby is generally played in late August or early September and is the most watched rugby match in the country, drawing more spectators than either inter-club or international fixtures.It is also an important social event of the Sri Lanka's elite.
History
Royal College and Trinity College were the first elite schools in Sri Lanka to take up the sport of rugby unionRugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
, and the first historic match between these schools was played on the 31st of July, 1920. This was made a yearly encounter, with Trinity College winning for the first 21 years, until the Royalists recorded their first victory in 1941. In 1945, the principal of Royal College, E.L. Bradby, put forward the idea of playing an annual two-match series, to which the principal of Trinity College, Mr C. E. Simithraaratchy, readily agreed. To ensure the success of the series, Principal Bradby offered a shield which was to be held for a period of one year by the winner of the series. The series has been played annually and uninterrupted ever since.
The Shield
The Shield itself, donated by Principal Bradby, is a wooden disk decorated with intricate traditional Kandyan metalwork.On winning the series, the shield is presented to the winning teams captain at an award ceremony held on the playing field immediately following the end of the second leg. The winning team is then privileged to hand the shield over to their school, where it is kept on display until next year, where it will again be up for grabs.
Venue
One leg of the Bradby Shield Encounter is played in Colombo and the other in Kandy. The venue for the game in Colombo had been Sugathadasa StadiumSugathadasa Stadium
Sugathadasa Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka. It is currently used mostly for football matches and athletic tournaments. The stadium holds 25,000 people. The 1991 and 2006 South Asian Games were held in this stadium. It also hosted the majority of matches for the 2010 AFC...
until matches were transferred to the Royal College Rugby Ground in the early 2000s. The Kandy venue is the Bogambara Stadium
Bogambara Stadium
Bogambara Stadium is one of the oldest grounds in the country. It is a multi-use stadium in Kandy, Sri Lanka. It is currently used mostly for Rugby matches and hosts the games of the Singer Sri Lankan Airlines Rugby 7's.-Early history:...
.
Past winners
| Year | 1st Leg | 2nd Leg | Winners | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RC | TC | RC | TC | ||
| 1945 | 03 | 00 | 00 | 06 | Trinity |
| 1946 | 00 | 00 | 00 | 08 | Trinity |
| 1947 | 00 | 00 | 00 | 06 | Trinity |
| 1948 | 06 | 05 | 08 | 06 | Royal |
| 1949 | 05 | 03 | 08 | 08 | Royal |
| 1950 | 03 | 06 | 03 | 05 | Trinity |
| 1951 | 19 | 03 | 13 | 05 | Royal |
| 1952 | 00 | 12 | 00 | 12 | Trinity |
| 1953 | 00 | 13 | 03 | 13 | Trinity |
| 1954 | 00 | 05 | 05 | 06 | Trinity |
| 1945–1954 | Trinity 7 - Royal 3 | ||||
Matches 20
- Trinity 11
- Royal 7
- Drawn 2
| Year | 1st Leg | 2nd Leg | Winners | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RC | TC | RC | TC | ||
| 1955 | 00 | 00 | 00 | 06 | Trinity |
| 1956 | 00 | 15 | 00 | 11 | Trinity |
| 1957 | 03 | 08 | 08 | 09 | Trinity |
| 1958 | 06 | 00 | 00 | 00 | Royal |
| 1959 | 05 | 00 | 06 | 00 | Royal |
| 1960 | 03 | 05 | 00 | 08 | Trinity |
| 1961 | 06 | 03 | 08 | 00 | Royal |
| 1962 | 05 | 00 | 00 | 09 | Trinity |
| 1963 | 06 | 06 | 00 | 05 | Trinity |
| 1964 | 03' | 00 | 14 | 06 | Royal |
| 1955–1964 | Trinity 6 - Royal 4 | ||||
Matches 20
- Trinity 9
- Royal 8
- Drawn 3
| Year | 1st Leg | 2nd Leg | Winners | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RC | TC | RC | TC | ||
| 1965 | 08 | 03 | 03 | 03 | Royal |
| 1966 | 03 | 03 | 03 | 08 | Trinity |
| 1967 | 03 | 07 | 03 | 08 | Trinity |
| 1968 | 19 | 00 | 05 | 03 | Royal |
| 1969 | 00 | 08 | 03 | 09 | Trinity |
| 1970 | 03 | 19 | 12 | 16 | Trinity |
| 1971 | 22 | 03 | "-" | "-" | Royal |
| 1972 | 09 | 08 | 03 | 10 | Trinity |
| 1973 | 18 | 04 | 04 | 12 | Royal |
| 1974 | 03 | 18 | 09 | 12 | Trinity |
| 1966–1974 | Trinity 6 - Royal 4 | ||||
Matches 19
- Trinity 11
- Royal 6
- Drawn 2
| Year | 1st Leg | 2nd Leg | Winners | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RC | TC | RC | TC | ||
| 1975 | 13 | 11 | 21 | 03 | Royal |
| 1976 | 36 | 00 | 25 | 06 | Royal |
| 1977 | 06 | 12 | 04 | 10 | Trinity |
| 1978 | 00 | 00 | 08 | 04 | Royal |
| 1979 | 03 | 04 | 18 | 00 | Royal |
| 1980 | 07 | 03 | 16 | 03 | Royal |
| 1981 | 03 | 16 | 10 | 03 | Trinity |
| 1982 | 06 | 09 | 04 | 06 | Trinity |
| 1983 | 18 | 04 | 04 | 12 | Trinity |
| 1984 | 06 | 00 | 06 | 00 | Royal |
| 1975–1984 | Trinity 4 - Royal 6 | ||||
Matches 20
- Trinity 7
- Royal 12
- Drawn 1
| Year | 1st Leg | 2nd Leg | Winners | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RC | TC | RC | TC | ||
| 1985 | 09 | 18 | 04 | 03 | Trinity |
| 1986 | 03 | 06 | 03 | 07 | Trinity |
| 1987 | 03 | 07 | 03 | 19 | Trinity |
| 1988 | 24 | 00 | 13 | 00 | Royal |
| 1989 | 09 | 03 | 09 | 03 | Royal |
| 1990 | 23 | 08 | 06 | 00 | Royal |
| 1991 | 04 | 12 | 10 | 25 | Trinity |
| 1992 | 03 | 03 | 00 | 00 | Tied |
| 1993 | 03 | 00 | 10 | 03 | Royal |
| 1994 | 10 | 03 | 08 | 08 | Royal |
| 1985–1994 | Trinity 4 - Royal 5 Tied-1 | ||||
Matches 20
- Trinity 7
- Royal 10
- Drawn 3
| Year | 1st Leg | 2nd Leg | Winners | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RC | TC | RC | TC | ||
| 1995 | 03 | 06 | 06 | 22 | Trinity |
| 1996 | 03 | 30 | 03 | 12 | Trinity |
| 1997 | 06 | 14 | 18 | 11 | Trinity |
| 1998 | 18 | 20 | 42 | 11 | Royal |
| 1999 | 10 | 19 | 07 | 13 | Trinity |
| 2000 | 25 | 32 | 20 | 17 | Trinity |
| 2001 | 12 | 06 | 16 | 00 | Royal |
| 2002 | 39 | 00 | 44 | 00 | Royal |
| 2003 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 08 | Royal |
| 2004 | 41 | 06 | 10 | 00 | Royal |
| 1995–2004 | Trinity 5 - Royal 5 | ||||
Matches 20
- Trinity 9
- Royal 11
- Drawn 0
| Year | 1st Leg | 2nd Leg | Winners | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RC | TC | RC | TC | ||
| 2005 | 06 | 36 | 07 | 33 | Trinity |
| 2006 | 10 | 21 | 05 | 26 | Trinity |
| 2007 | 20 | 12 | 15 | 11 | Royal |
| 2008 | 12 | 24 | 08 | 00 | Trinity |
| 2009 | 23 | 12 | 31 | 15 | Royal |
| 2010 | 38 | 37 | 34 | 17 | Royal |
| 2011 | 33 | 25 | 5 | 40 | Trinity |
| 2005–2011 | Trinity 4 - Royal 3 | ||||
Matches 14
- Trinity 6
- Royal 8
- Drawn 0
Overall Bradby Shield Record
- Played 133
- Trinity 62
- Royal 60
- Drawn 11
Notable persons who have played
Royalist- J.R. Jayawardene (Pre Bradby Era)
- Rajan KadiragamarRajan KadiragamarRear Admiral Rajanathan "Rajan" Kadiragamar, MVO, ADC, RCyN was Sri Lankan Admiral. He was the second Ceylonese Captain of the Royal Ceylon Navy from 1960 to 1970 and as such the longest serving Commander of the Navy.-Early life:...
(Pre Bradby Era) - Harry GoonatilakeHarry GoonatilakeAir Chief Marshal W.D. Harry Goonetileke USP, ndc, psc, SLAF was the fifth Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force from November 1, 1976 to April 30, 1981.-Early life:...
(Pre Bradby Era) - U.N.Gunasekera (Pre Bradby Era)
- C. R. De SilvaC. R. De SilvaChitta Ranjan De Silva, PC is a Sri Lankan lawyer. He was a former Attorney General and Solicitor General of Sri Lanka. He is the current Chairmen of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission...
- Ken BalendraKen BalendraKandiah Balendra is a Sri Lankan corporate leader and executive, who holds and has held many corporate positions in Sri Lanka and the region. He is the former chairman of John Keells Holdings Ltd. which is the largest conglomerate in the island and of the oldest bank, Bank of Ceylon, and the...
- Ratna SivaratnamRatna SivaratnamRatna “Roti” Sivaratnam was a the former Chairman and Managing Director Aitken Spence, Sri Lanka.Educated that the prestigious Royal College Colombo, Sivaratnam was a Prefect, Captain of Rugby and Badminton, Regimental Sergeant Major of the Cadet Contingent...
- Daya PereraDaya PereraLt. Colonel Daya Perera, PC is a Sri Lankan diplomat and lawyer, who was the former Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Canada and former Ambassador to the United Nations in New York.-Education:...
- Norman GunewardeneNorman GunewardeneNorman Gunewardene is a Sri Lankan corporate leader and executive, who holds and has held corporate positions in Sri Lanka and the region. He is the former Chairman of Aitken Spence & Co. Ltd. which is one of the largest conglomerates in the island, Odel Investments Limited and Odel Foundatiom...
- Ajit GunewardeneAjit GunewardeneAjit Gunewardene is a Sri Lankan corporate executive and businessman. Current joint managing director and Deputy Chairman of John Keells Holdings, Sri Lanka's foremost conglomerate...
- Maiya GunasekaraMaiya GunasekaraMaiya Gunasekara, FRCS, FICS is Sri Lankan sportsman, sports administrator and surgeon. He is a former President of the Sri Lankan Rugby Football Union and a former Sri Lanka Rugby Captain....
- Indula Galagedara
Trinitians
- Denzil KobbekaduwaDenzil KobbekaduwaLieutenant General Denzil Lakshman Kobbekaduwa RWP, RSP, VSV, USP, rcds, psc, SLAC was a highly decorated and respected General in the Sri Lanka army...
- Duncan WhiteDuncan WhiteDuncan White, MBE was the first Sri Lankan athlete to win a medal for his country in an Olympic event. He won a silver in the 400-metre hurdles at the 1948 Summer Olympics in London, England...
- Lakshman KadirgamarLakshman KadirgamarSri Lankabhimanya Lakshman Kadirgamar PC was a Sri Lankan diplomat, politician and a lawyer. He served as Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka from 1994 to 2001 and again from April 2004 until his assassination in August 2005...
- Jayantha DhanapalaJayantha DhanapalaProfessor Jayantha Dhanapala is a member of the Board of Sponsors of The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists and a governing board member of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Dr. Dhanapala was Sri Lanka's official candidate for the post of Secretary-General of the United Nations,...
- Kaushalya WeeraratneKaushalya WeeraratneKaushalya Weeraratne is a Sri Lankan cricketer. He is a left-handed batsman and a right-arm medium-fast bowler....
- Michael Kagwa
- Lohan Ratwatte
The Souvenir
The Interact Club of Royal College publishes the "Bradby Shield Souvenir" to mark the Colombo leg of the match.Bradby Express
The Bradby Express is the normal intercity train service provided by the Sri Lanka RailwaysSri Lanka Railways
Sri Lanka Railway Department, branded "Sri Lanka Railways", is a key department of the Sri Lankan Government under the Ministry of Transport with a history that begins in 1858...
which was filled with students and old boys heading for the Kandy leg of the encounter hence the name the "Bradby Express." Originating from the 1950s it was continued annually until the mid-1980s when it was stopped due to security concerns with the escalation of the Sri Lankan Civil War
Sri Lankan civil war
The Sri Lankan Civil War was a conflict fought on the island of Sri Lanka. Beginning on July 23, 1983, there was an on-and-off insurgency against the government by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam , a separatist militant organization which fought to create an independent Tamil state named Tamil...
and the Insurrection 1987-89
Insurrection 1987-89
The 1987-89 insurrection in Sri Lanka, in which around 50,000 lives were lost, was carried out by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna, a Marxist Sinhalese political party in Sri Lanka.-Leadup to conflict in the 1980s:...
. The tradition was revived with the effort of the Royal College Group of 2007 who booked a special train exclusively for the Bradby fans.
Trivia
- Old Boys of both schools use the Bradby as a convenient time to organize get-togethers, and to engage in much revelry...
- The record for the largest margin of victory was set in 2002 by Royal College, winning on an aggregate of 83-00.
- In 1983, the Principal and Mrs. E. L. Bradby visited Sri Lanka as the guests of The Royal College Union for the Second Leg match - this was the centenary Rugby Football match between Royal and Trinity.
- The 2008 Second Leg encounter in Kandy was the 150th match between Royal and Trinity.
- In 67 Contests so far, Trinity leads the series having won the shield on no less than 37 occasions. Royal have won the shield on 30 occasions. Both Bradby encounters in 1992 ended in draws, 0-0 in Kandy and 3-3 in Colombo, thus creating history as the first and so far the only "Tied" Bradby.
- The highest sequence of wins in the series is 6; by Trinity, between 1952-1957. Royal won the shield 4 years back to back from 2001-2004.
- In 2010, a total of 126 points was scored by both teams(Royal 72 - Trinity 54) which is a series record.
- Only 1 encounter was played between the schools in 1971 due to security reasons. The Shield was presented to Royal College on the result of the 1st leg, at an assembly by the then principal of Trinity College; Mr E.L.Fernando.
See also
- Royal College
- Trinity College