Ashan Ratwatte – the chief guest at 77th Bradby Shield first Leg

Ashan (on right) and son Tarinda Ratwatte with the Bradby shield

The year 1983 saw a resurgent Trinity swamp all its opposition, to remain undefeated and crowned unofficial champions only to be beaten in the second leg of the Bradby shield encounter. However, Trinity had done more than enough in the first leg, to annex the all-important Bradby for the third consecutive year. Led by the flamboyant Ashan Ratwatte, Trinity was a formidable unit with the skipper leading from front! The fiercest of opposition wilted under the mighty power of the Lions.

Ashan took to the game of rugby football at a very young age. From those early days, he was marked and heading for greatness! One was not being prophetic, when prophesying his future success at rugby football – it was there for all to see; a prodigy that progressed steadily to storm past all frontiers with grace and skill! He skippered Trinity at all age grades, from under thirteen, all the way to the hallowed 1st XV, missing out on the under seventeen as he was drafted into the 1st XV that year.

The two Bradby shield encounters are the pinnacle games for both Royal and Trinity, while the rest of the schools look on grudgingly.

1983, witnessed the unprecedented, when the graceful donor of the shield, the late great EL Bradby graced the occasion for the 100th game between the two archrivals Trinity under Ashan Ratwatte, having secured a thundering win in the first leg, were favourites to take the second leg too! However, Royal led by the graceful half back Sriyan Cooray had other ideas and pipped Trinity to the post, to win the 100th game and give their former Principal a reason to smile! Yet the day belonged to Trinity and their spectacular skipper, who had the singular honour of receiving the coveted Bradby shield from the great visionary EL Bradby himself! This honour and privilege was never to be and never before – the only skipper to receive the shield from the donor himself – Ashan Ratwatte, skipper of Trinity in 1983!

Ashan’s son, Tarinda went on to set many a Trinity record and captained the side in 2014, which incidentally was the last occasion when Trinity won the Bradby Sheild! Tarinda went on to win the coveted Lion in 2014, joining his illustrious father and uncle as the three Lions in the family, which is indeed a rare feat. Ashan and Tarinda were both awarded the prestigious Ryde Gold Medal during their respective periods at Trinity – the award that surpasses all others and bestowed on just that solitary recipient.

The Ratwatte’s are the only father and son duo to win the Bradby shield in their respective years as captain.

Respice Finem,

Tyrone Smith – till the last bell calls