The 145 th Battle of the Blues between Royal College and S.Thomas College Mt Lavinia will be worked off from March 7 to 9 at SSC grounds.
This encounter is deemed to be the second oldest inter-school match in the world after St. Peter’s College and Prince Alfred College of Adelaide, Australia which began in 1878 and also having the honour of surviving two World Wars and the recent Covid-19 pandemic which did not prevent the game being played.
Two schools are able to maintain their traditions very well during this three day encounter while present boys and Old boys build up their friendship through this big match which provides a good atmosphere. Two teams once again will battle for D.S Senanayake Memorial Shield.
Last year Royal College dominated the big match when they pulled off a well deserved win by 181 runs which saw them chalking up their 36 th win of the series as against the 35 wins by the Thomians.
After getting their series 36 th win this time Reid Avenue side led by all rounder Sineth Jayawardena come to the big match with more confidence.Jayawardena who also has the distinction of leading the National under 19 team at recently concluded youth world cup have big challenge against theThomians in this three day encounter .The team missed the services of skipper Sineth Jayawardena for most of the school matches due to National duty but this big match Sineth wants to finish on a memorable note. The team have been unable to make a good impression and underwent two defeats to Maris Stella and Prince of Wales but beat Peterites by an innings this season but the coach Rohan Soysa already planned to come to this big match with a good morale .This is a big match and different atmosphere but the team is ready to face this challenge and their target is to retain the D.S Senanayake Memorial Shield which they won after seven years in 2023.
Royal skipper Sineth, who has played only six matches is one of the five centurions of the side with the others being Yasindu Dissanayake, the top scorer with over 550 runs including 152 not out against St Peter s , Rehan Peiris (525 runs), Ramiru Perera (475 runs) and Isula Geeganage, while support will be expected from Ovina Ambanpola, Anush Polonowita and Nethwin Dharmaratne Young Rehan Pieris the son of Royal Junior coach Rashan Pieris is undoubtedly most improved player of the side .The 16 year old player Peiris was named best player of the last under 15 Prima Provincial cricket tournament having scored a superb century at the final but unfortunately he couldn’t play for the National under 19 team .His class of batting shows his potential and was the best batter of the last Royal – S.Thomas one day encounter .
In addition skipper Sineth Jayawardena the experienced campaigner of the team has not lived upto expectations in the National team and he is expected to come back strongly in this big match .
Royal Spinner deputy skipper Ramiru Perera, the top wicket taker with over 47 wickets, along with skipper Sineth, left arm leg spinner Yenula Bandara, and paceman Ranuka Malaviarachchi, will lead the bowling attack for Royal with support expected from paceman Dinura Senaratne and spinner Nethwin Dharmaratne to curtail the Thomian batting.Ramiru Perera also given superb leadership when his captain Sineth was away on National duty .
The new Principal of Royal Thilak Watthuhewa who is also the President of Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association always give his support to Royal team while old boys ,staff and parents always back the team to get success
There are some records to be surpassed with the series top individual knock of 197 made by Royal’s Sumithra Warnakulasuriya in 1980. Duleep Mendis holds the Thomian record of 184 made in 1972.
The partnership of 254 runs for the third wicket between Anushka Polonowita (164)and Yasas Dharmaratne (124) achieved in 1996 stands as the best for any wicket in the series. Royal holds the record of the highest score in the series which is 432 for 9 achieved in 2006 that eclipsed the previous best of 388 for 9 held by the Thomians.In fact this year Anushka Polonowita the former Royal skipper is very happy as his son Anush Polonowita is a member of the team while grandfather former Anandian legend and former National curator Anuruddha Polonawita will be present to watch this big match.
Royal having young side but their determination is very high to take up this big match challenge and want to continue their winning mentality in this big match series .
Dhammika Ratnaweera