THE NINE RUN MATCH - ONE SIDE OF IT BY
S.S.PERERA
by S. S. Perera
Venue: Galle Face
Date: 12th and. 13th March 1885
There has been much argument ever since this
miserable day — for Royalists — that the Royalists did not turn up
on the second day of the match etc., etc.
Famous Old Thomian Leonard Arndt wrote a few
years ago that the Royalists did not turn up. I have gone through
old newspapers of 1885 at the Government Archives recently and find
that the stories about the Royalists are not correct. What better
proof than newspaper accounts of happenings In far off days— nearly
94 years ago. Accounts of events, even by individuals who took part
are mere hazy recollections, and not very accurate.
Comments of some of those who took part in the
memorable game— both Royalists and Thomians are given below:—
Mudaliyor Vincent de Silva— Royal Team of 1885—
wrote interalia some years ago in the Royal College Souvenir: "after
heavy rain overnight, the grounds were quite sodden and unfit for
play. On the second day it was worse than ever— the match had to be
abandoned due to heavy rain. St. Thomas' by the end of the first day
had scored 138 runs for 4 wickets."
C. E. Corea— Royal Team of (885— wrote in the
Thomian Souvenir of 1930 :
"On the first day we batted in a deluge of
rain— the rain continued— through the succeeding night and the next
morning, the ground had become a swamp. We had no alternative but to
abandon the Match."
Dr. Gerald' de Saram— Thomian Team of 1885—
wrote in a Thomian Souvenir: "St. Thomas' had knocked up a big score
about 170 for about 5 or 6 wickets. A very heavy shower of rain came
down at this stage and the Royalists refused to go down and field
after the rain ceased. The umpires decided that the pitch was fit
for play."
The History of the Royal College: "Although the
circumstances were quite ordinary Royal were dismissed for 9 runs
and St. Thomas' piled up a huge score of 170 for 6 wickets. Then
rain interfered, but the umpires, one of whom was Mr. Ashley
Walker, decided that the ground was fit for play, when play ceased.
But though Mr. Walker and the Principal were for continuing the
match, the team, urged by a few unsporting boys, refused to play.
The disagreement which resulted between the two teams was settled by
Royal apologising and the Thomians were sportive enough to bury the
hatchet."
St. Thomas' College Magazine— March-April 1885—
"When play ceased St. Thomas' had raised the score to 138 runs for 4
wickets. On Friday, play was recommenced at about a quarter to
three. The score continued to rise... At this juncture rain
interrupted the game and the match was not concluded under the
circumstances about which we shall say nothing."
S. P. Joseph— Royal Team 1901—Writing on the
1885 match in the Royal-Thomian Souvenir of 1932 says: "From the
pavilion side the ground sloped down to it, and on the church side
it sloped away from it, so that it is not difficult to imagine what
the pitch looked like after heavy downpour. After the rain ceased
the ground was absolutely unplayable. 1 remember this as I took
shelter from the rain in the pavilion."
And lastly from "Nestor"— a Royalist who took
part in the 1885 match.
Nestor wrote interalia in the Royaf-Thomian
Souvenir of 1932: "The weather became unsatisfactory. The Captain
spoke to Mr. Walker about it but he was compelled to bow to the
inevitable and to prepare his men to make the best of an uphill
game. But nobody in his wildest dreams thought it would prove to be
so tricky and disastrous a wicket as it was familiar ground on which
many a good score had been made under favourable conditions.
Herbert de Saram and Vincent de Silva went down
to face the music, but after the first over both fielders and the
batsmen beat a hasty retreat to the pavilion. Rain stopped the game
for sob time. With resumption of play Wilkins and Orr bowled with
deadly effect. The procession wan excruciatingly painful spectacle.
The stonewallers as well as sluggers were ruthlessly beaten.
The Captain and Ohimus whose names were
proverbial for accurate judgment. Indomitable pluck and consistent
scoring returned to the pavilion before they collared the bowling.
Never did the writer find it harder to defend his wickets and the
fatal ball which over powered him was deemed be the most unlikely
one to disturb the "timber yard." It is enough to say that the "Nine
Runs" did not take an hour.
Our opponents did not fare well at the outset,
but the combination of Thomasz and Wilkins altered the complexion of
things. The former lashed out vigorously in his characteristic
style, the latter was fortunate in being missed at an early stage.
Foenander's score was a useful contribution. The outfield was in a
dreadful condition and running was rendered exceedingly difficult.
An occasion! slip enlivened the proceedings. Mr. Piuvlus showed
favour to the other side when they went in giving them a clear sky
and leaving us to "leather hunt through mud and sludge." At the
close of the day's play the Thomians had to their credit 138 runs
for the loss of 4 wickets.
The team returned home chagrined but not
down-hearted. They were made of stew stuff and were determined to go
to the field the following day with undaunted courage and put up a
plucky fight with better weather. But alas! they were doomed to
disappointment.
The eleven were there in good time and the
vague surmises that have been entertained may
well be regarded as a figment of Imagination. Play was
continued on Friday afternoon, but after the Thomians had raised the
score to 170 runs for 6 wickets, rain stopped the game.
The Principal who was a martinet and dreaded by
all the boys sent for the team on Monday afternoon. He carefully
inquired and was satisfied with the explanation offered. In later
years, I caused the Captain Intense pain to hear so much unfounded
talk circulated about the match."
The newspaper accounts of the two days' play—
from "The Times" and "The Observer" in given below:
From the Ceylon Observer of 14th March 1885:
CRICKET
ST. THOMAS' COLLEGE vs ROYAL COLLEGE
"This annual match was commenced on Galle Face
at half past 2 on Thursday last, but after one over rain stopped the
game for some time. When play was resumed the Royal College were
dismissed in half an hour, after making the grand score of 9 runs.
The St. Thomas' boys then went to the wicket and at the close of the
day's play had made 138 runs with 4 wickets down. Play was continued
at 2.30 p.m. on Friday, but after the St. Thomas' Eleven had raised
their score to 170 for the loss of 2 more wickets, rain again
stopped the game for about half an hour. As to individual players,
Thomasz batted very freely and contributed largely to the score of
his side, while Wilkins deserved the highest praise for his really
good play scoring 49 without giving a single chance. His bowling was
also a remarkable performance."
From the Times of Ceylon of 15th March 1885:
CRICKET
ST. THOMAS' COLLEGE vs Royal College
"The annual match was commenced on Galle Face
at half past 2 on Thursday last, but after one over rain stopped the
game for some time. When play was resumed the Royal College were
dismissed in half an hour, after making the score of 9. St. Thomas'
boys then went to the wicket and at the close of the day's play had
made 138 runs for 4 wickets down. Play continued at 2.30 p.m. on
Friday but after the St. Thomas' Eleven had raised their score to
170 for the loss of two more wickets, rain again stopped the game."
