Trinity Reclaim 80th Bradby Shield in Style with Dominant 72–20 Aggregate Victor

Bradby Shield history was rewritten once again as Trinity College Kandy delivered a commanding performance to reclaim the prestigious trophy, defeating Royal College Colombo with a resounding 72–20 aggregate score in the 80th edition of the iconic encounter.

Trinity set the tone early with a convincing 33–10 win in the first leg played on July 11, 2026, at the Royal College Sports Complex. They then sealed their dominance in the second leg on July 25 at Pallekele, securing an emphatic 39–10 victory to complete a comprehensive double over their long-time rivals.

This triumph marks Trinity’s 41st Bradby Shield win since the competition began in 1945, surpassing Royal’s 37 victories, alongside two drawn series. The win also holds deeper historical significance, as it represents Trinity’s 100th victory over Royal across all 1st XV encounters since 1920, spanning traditional matches, league clashes, knockouts, and Bradby fixtures. Notably, this was also their fourth win over Royal in the 2026 season.

Led by the charismatic Shan Althaf, Trinity’s aggregate of 72–20 ranks as the fourth-highest in Bradby history and stands as the highest ever recorded by Trinity, surpassing their previous best of 69–13 set in 2005 under B.N.R. Fernando. The 52-point winning margin is also among the most dominant in the series, ranking fifth overall and second-best for Trinity.

The victory is made even more remarkable by Trinity’s unbeaten season under the guidance of head coach Fazil Marija and his coaching team. The side completed a historic treble—winning the President’s Trophy, the 2026 League title, and the Bradby Shield—an achievement last accomplished by Trinity in 1987 under Tyrrel Rajapakse.

The previous year’s disappointment, when Royal clinched the shield under the captaincy of Amika Samarasinghe, only added to the significance of this year’s emphatic comeback.

Tributes poured in for Trinity’s outstanding achievement, with congratulations extended to Principal Rev. Fr. Araliya Jayasundara, the college administration, the rugby scrummage led by Nilantha Ratnayake, the coaching staff, and the players. Special praise was reserved for skipper Shan Althaf and his 1st XV squad, whose dedication and excellence brought glory back to Kandy.

The 80th Bradby Shield will be remembered not just for the victory, but for the sheer dominance, discipline, and championship spirit displayed by Trinity College—delivering a season and a series that will live long in school rugby folklore.