MY IMPRESSIONS OF THE GREAT GAME(THE 1880
ROYAL THOMIAN) BY C.O. SIEBEL
"Olim meminisse Juvabit"— a retrospect Is
always delightful although it may savour of disappointment or
defeat. The mere fact of recalling old days and ways is
stimulating— it really makes one feel young again, and truly a
man is as young as he feels. I certainly consider it a privilege
and delight to record my impressions of that historic fixture—
the Royal-Thomian Match of 1880— the first of the
inter-collegiate series of great games played on the old Galle
Face green. I played in It too and this Is my only excuse for
writing about it.
St. Thomas" always had a reputation for good
cricket. It had measured swords with some of the big clubs in the
past and gained much experience If not actual success. The boys were
big burly fellows of the type of George VanGunster, Charles Wendt,
Edward Zylva and his brother Richard so the Colombo Club did not
think it infra dig to play with them. I did the scoring on such
occasions and well remember how breathlessly every stray run was
watched and notched. The College got some hard knocks but it was
this that set the ball fairly rolling.
The school matches seem comparatively recent—
they seem so fresh and Inspiring. I well remember the excitement In
the Boarding House before the great game. Eugene McDonnell was
simply mad with delight, with David Wendt to help him. House 'A' was
simply overrun for days. Mac was really energetic and active though
he did little with the bat. F. T. Ellawela was lively enough for the
two ducks he got. Poor old Charlie de Saram! It was a treat to see
him bat— he was undoubtedly the best player amongst the De Sarams
and that meant a good deal— neat and effective, every stroke well
judged and played— no fuss or show at all. David Wendt, a jolly
sturdy fellow, reveling In his strength, although he never scored
anything much. The redoubtable Johnson Lourensz, who bowled really
well in this particular match, was remarkable for his sureness of
aim. His eye and hand went well together In bringing down birds and
mangoes and so the wickets too went down merrily enough at times. He
had wonderful assurance, some of which no doubt still exists in
far-off Bangalore. C. H. and W. B. de Saram were mere youngsters who
were just feeling their wings but who fully justified the proud
cricketing prowess of the family they belonged to. Fred McDonnell—
"Fatty" as he was known— was little better than a target for the
ball-— he was very noisy on the field but did little. Charlie
Wilkins like his old friend A.C.E. was a born cricketer. He
was as thin as a ghost but was always bowling at something. Austin
Edwards used to get him Inside the nets and pound at him regularly.
It was this that made him really brave afterwards, and accounted for
the many successes he notched. Poor Charlie! he was always such a
cheery old sort— W. E. Grenier and myself whippers-in on this great
occasion were merely players for the nonce. We were accidentally
picked up and this was perhaps the only chance we ever had of
"drinking delight of battle with their peers far on the ringing
plains" of Galle Face. Both are alive to tell the tale.
J. W. de Sllva was far too formidable a bowler
for us at the time— he really sliced us, judging from the poor
scores in both innings. Our opponents were distinctly the better
side, man for man and no doubt they won. Playing on the Galle Face
green was refreshing— there was an unmistakable air of dignity
about it all which made the old matches so interesting and
enjoyable— and even memorable.
(Reproduced from "Royal vs. St. Thomas' — A Complete Record" by E.
W. Foenander)
