The most coveted event in the local rugby calendar, the Bradby Shield encounter will take center stage this weekend as the second leg kicks-off in the Lion’s Den on Saturday at 4.10 pm. Royal will travel to the Hill capital with a 5 point lead, knowing that any points in the bag is a bonus in what promises to be a cracker of a game.

Not just the rugby experts but even the grassroots players will understand what Royal’s strength is. Although some say it is boring, there’s absolutely no harm in playing to your strengths throughout the 80 minutes. On the other hand I think Royal should be applauded as they have been able to employ the maul consistently with little to no mistakes this season. Surely Royal’s driving maul was far better than what was on display by the Tuskers last Sunday against Singapore in the Asia Rugby Championship.

Trinity have no one to blame but themselves for the 1st leg result as they had their chances but just could not exploit them. Their backs are much better than the oppositions, regardless of whether it is Thishila Perera or Lashane Wijesuriya at No10, whenever they send the ball out wide they threaten to put points on the board.

Royal could not have asked for a better start to the 1st leg, scoring the quickest try in Bradby history. As the final whistle was blown with the scoreboard reading 22-17 in favour of the hosts, that early try stood out as the clear difference between a win and a draw.

(ThePapare.com)