THE OLD OLDER CHANGETH BY C.E.L.("KALLA")
De SILVA
Change - the good Order changes- even the game
of cricket. The changes may not be many but there are little ones -
the inevitable rules. One knows what I am trying to say - the no
ball rule - the L. B. W. rule, the new ball rule, etc. However, may
1 say that cricket never changes -the Royal -Thomian is still the
Big Match and will continue to be and draw unprecedented crowds no
matter however brilliant the other schools' performances may be.
The 100 years of tradition handed down from
generation to generation, the impending battle in the middle brings
butterflies to both spectators' and players' stomachs whenever these
two teams join in combat.
When 1 first played for S. Thomas' in 1919
under P. B. Bulankulame - now a Physician residing in retirement at
Anuradhapura, we were beaten in one day, by an innings and 32 runs.
Our Team was composed of C. H. Davidson, a
former Warden of the school, N. S. Perera, a former Surveyor-General
and Bank official, C. E. P. de Silva a former member of the State
Council and Hinton Seneviratne who in the previous year had taken 7
wickets for 38 runs - Hinton Seneviratne 1 am told played 4 years
for the school and then went across to Richmond and played for them
for another 7 years eventually ending as Captain.
In 1920 we were beaten once again by an innings
and 52 runs - a humiliating defeat no doubt but the Match did not
end in one day.
In 1921 I was called upon to Captain the side
and even though I had 8 coloursmen we suffered another humiliating
defeat.
Came 1922, I was re-appointed Captain and that
year I sought my revenge and we beat our arch rivals and friends,
the Royal College by 57 runs. My contribution being 32. My father
had promised a Rupee for every run I scored and I became richer by
Rs. 32/-.
I still remember this match for the towering six Haanie Koch hit off
Dickie de Zoysa's bowling. This was the only six of the match and
was hit in the very first over Haanie Koch faced. This reminds me of
a story that was repeated the other day by a friend of mine, when
Jeffrey Koch, Haanie's son played for the school in his first year,
Haanie challenged his son to better his record of hitting a six in
the first six balls he faced. Young Jeffrey met the challenge
clearing the ropes, the ball landing on the Pavilion roof in the
second ball delivered. He then turned towards the Thomian Dressing
Room and waved his bat at his father as if to say "there goes your
proud record."
For S. Thomas', Lankatiileke my Vice Captain
scored 38 and 25, while Tweed who had played for Royal the previous
year captured 5 wickets. For Royal C. E. Belleth scored 17 and 21
and captured 7 wickets.
The Royal Team was captained by M. C. Dias had
R. Rajaratnam and C. E. Belleth who later served on the staff of
Royal, L. D. S. Gunasekera (Chippie) a Ceylon Captain and Dickie de
Zoysa who later crossed over to S. Thomas' College and played
against his old school.
When I look back upon my school days, I think
of the changes that have taken place, I think of the people that
packed the Pavilion and the Tents, not more than 2000 in all
compared with the crowds of today. Jazz Bands, Old Crocks, Trucks
and Jeeps were not heard of, people wended their way to the match by
train and walked to the S.S.C. ground from the Bambalapitiya
Station. Of course those who owned cars got themselves driven to the
grounds.
The Teams v/ere not provided with transport.
After the Traditional lunch with Warden and Mrs. Stone at their
bungalow, we were each presented with an imported Jaffa Orange and
Cadbury Ball chocolate. I am told that this tradition was carried on
by Warden de Saram even in the post war years. We walked to the Mt.
Lavinia station preceded by a host of excited Thomian supporters who
commandeered the train up to Bambalapitiya - from Bambalapitiya to
the S.S.C. we were conveyed in Rickshaws to the grounds. It was
definitely a fine sight to see the Team clad in their Blazers riding
to the Match in open Rickshaws. We were cheered all the way by our
school boys who used to make their way to the venue by foot, of
course we did get a Cat Call or two -"Thomian Parippu" to boot. We
were heroes and the cynosure of all eyes for a day or two both on
and off the grounds.
We played in imported flannel trousers and
flannel shirts tailored at Apothecaries and wore Terral hats. The
inside of the felt hat was lined with a plantain leaf which gave us
protection from the sun's scorching rays. Unlike today we wore our
caps only when we bowled and carried it to the cricket field in our
hip pockets. Caps were worn by the fielding side after the tea
interval.
The Tents were gaily decorated and gramophone
music was provided throughout the day, I remember a character named
Kheta who used to come to the grounds immaculately clad in a coat
and tie-he used to be hosted by the Medicoes and within the hour he
was a Kheta alright-singing, dancing and entertaining the spectators
- of course the post war Thomian had the late Julius.
Our victory after eight years was certainly
most welcome. There was the usual cheering of heroes.
I was carried right round the grounds by our
supporters. When I was brought back to the Pavilion, a girl friend
of mine threw her arms around me and kissed and even went on to
present me with a flag she was carrying. This flag was one of my
prized possessions and I presented it to Lakdasa when he played in
the Royal-Thomian Match of 1965. This was a very proud and happy
moment for me. The Old Boys of both schools entertained most
hospitably a very large number of ladies, girls and Old Boys in
their enclosures. The Medicoes and the diehards had engaged the C.
L. I. Band to play an enjoyable selection of music that evening. A
holiday was declared and our victory was highlighted by a glittering
display of fireworks by night fall which terminated with the release
of eleven gas filled balloons which carried the names of the members
of the Team proudly displayed on them. We were inundated with
numerous invitations to dinner and several prizes were awarded to us
and our happiness at beating our rivals knew no bounds.
Finally, a word of advice from an Old Timer to
our future All Sri Lanka Cricketers, will not be considered out of
place.
Batsmen, get behind the ball and meet it with
the full face of bat held straight.
Bowlers, remember the three principles of good
bowling. The first is length, the second Is length, the third is
length.
Fielders, keep in mind that matches are won
mainly through good fielding.
To all I would say that it is far more
difficult to take a victory with good grace and modesty than a
defeat. He who can take a defeat well is a better sportsman than the
one who boasts of victory.
C. E. L. ("KaIIa") DE SILVA
