A well planned performance made Trinity College beat Royal College by a single point in the first Leg of the 78th Bradby Shield rugby encounter played at the Royal Sports Complex yesterday.
The final scores gave Trinity 17 points (a try, 1 drop goal, 3 penalties) to 16 (a try, a conversion, 3 penalties) by Royal.
The match winner for Trinity was virtually Shan Althaf who contributed 12 points and the match winning move was the drop goal by him in the 60th minute that gave them the 17 points.
Both teams played attacking rugby looking out for the openings, but it was the side that took every opportunity that ended up winning.
The second half had Trinity scoring off two penalties to go up by one point. Then came the drop goal by Althaf that took them to a 17-13 lead to stay ahead.
However, Royal were not to be deprived of another scoring opportunity and were awarded a penalty. Idris Farouk succeeded with a 28 metre penalty to bring them just one point behind the Trinity score.
Trinity was also awarded a penalty for an offside play by Royal but Althaf failed to convert at the end of play.
The first half saw both teams play attacking rugby by moving the ball around their back divisions looking for a way to penetrate the defence. However, the moves lost its motive with the defence of both teams standing out.
Royal scored first in the ninth minute when Trinity were spotted off side and Royal fly half Idris Farouk succeeded with the somewhat easy penalty. Four minutes later Trinity intruded into the Royal territory and when one of their attackers was tripped by the leg referee Jacob De Witt did not hesitate to penalise the Royal defender.
The penalty was taken with success by Shan Althaf from 24 metres out to equalise 3-3.
Another four minutes later Trinity took advantage of a move that saw the ball kicked across and winger Murad Rizan collected and fell over with the tackle. The conversion was missed and Trinity took the lead 8-3.
Royal kept attacking and just three minutes later earned a penalty. Idris Farouk successfully converted to reduce on the deficit 6-8.
Royal went ahead very spectacularly when a move saw their winger Fahad Nazaar going over for a try.
Farook converted to give Royal the lead 13-8 at the turn around.
