SO NEAR YET SO FAR
The 100th Royal-Thomian Encounter
which was aptly described as the Great Centenary Match and one
of the big events of the Century was unique. The Match Committee
had decided to make it a three day game, perhaps the main
objective may have been to induce the sides to adopt a more
positive approach to the game with a view to producing a result.
The Match was played on 8th, 9th
and 10th March 1979 at the S.S.C. grounds being the same
venue where the 1975 and 1976 Matches were played. The atmosphere
and the build up to this historic match was indeed electrifying. Two
days prior to the game, both teams and all the relevant officials,
including the Principal of Royal College and the Warden of S.Thomas'
College were hosted to a gala dinner by President J.R.Jayewardene at
the President's House. For most of us it was an honour to mingle and
talk so freely with the President, who was unequivocally
acknowledged as a born and bred distinguished Royalist who served
College with distinction during his schooling days and also had
played in the 1925 Big Match.
When the morning of the first day dawned many
had expected the two sides to produce a result in the three days.
The Thomians came into this game as total underdogs whereas we were
acknowledged to be superior, having both depth in batting and a
penetrative bowling attack. We had concern only about the De Alwis
brothers, Guy and Ken, who were both known as very attacking batsmen
at the time. The bowling department of the Thomians, except for
Mahinda Halangode, was known to be pretty much brittle.
The day's proceedings got underway with a
colourful display of 100 Helium Balloons of Blue/Gold/Black being
released to the air which was indeed a spectacle. Into the exciting
din and the colourful pageantry walked President Jayewardene in his
pristine white national costume. The Sri Lanka Navy band togged out
in the kilts of the Scottish Highlanders struck up the National
Anthem and the two School Anthems. The crowd looked on solemnly but
perhaps the most inspiring moment was when the President was ready
to receive the veteran troopers or the "Old Guard". The past
captains of the two Schools marched past the President in single
file to the strains of 'Auld Lang Syne' whilst the Centenary Teams
formed two rows. It was a moment in history.
Royal was captained by Ranjan Madugalle whilst
the Thomians were led by Johann Pieris. Ranjan won the toss and
elected to field since our strategy was to field on the last day due
to our notion that our bowlers would have an advantage on the last
day. The Thomians opened with Suranimala Wijesinghe and Rohan
Anthonisz. We opened the bowling with Asantha de Mel and Rajiva
Wijetunge. Except contributions of twenties from Guy de Alwis,
Lakmal de Zoysa and a quick fire 47 from Ken de Alwis there weren't
any other notable contributions from any Thomian which resulted in
the Thomians being all out for 154 shortly before tea. Sudath
Pasqual bagged 4 wickets while Asantha, Rajiva and Kesara de Costa
all had 2 wickets a piece. We opened with Haroon Musafer and
C.P.Fernando soon after tea and after a healthy opening stand ended
the day at 117 for 2 wickets. Haroon completed a well compiled knock
of 53 whilst Fernando contributed 35. Ranjan and Sudath remained
unbeaten on 10 and 9 respectively at the end of the first day.
On the second day in the pre-lunch session we
saw Ranjan departing after completing a valuable half century his
contribution being 58 runs. I came into bat thereafter and remained
unbeaten on 14 with Sudath on 40 at lunch. On resumption of play,
Sudath steadily progressed and was finally caught behind off the
bowling of Halangode for 66. As opposed to the pre-lunch session
yielding over 100 runs at the time of Sudath's dismissal, I realized
that we had not maintained the same scoring rate. I was joined by
Rohan Jurangpathy who had scored a classic hundred against Trinity
College, the run up game to the Big Match. However, Rohan did not
proceed far and was caught by substitute Ruwan Sirisena off the
bowling of Halangode for 9 runs. At this point of time we had lost 5
wickets and I soon realized that we did not have further sufficient
depth in our batting to achieve our objective of 300 runs by tea. As
such throwing caution to the winds, I accelerated the scoring rate.
After the departure of Rohan I was joined by Asantha who was capable
of using the long handle to good effect before the tea break. I was
bowled round the legs off a delivery from Halangode probably playing
a fraction too early, when I tried to on drive through mid wicket
and mid on. I scored 47 which included 10 fours and which I believed
adequately contributed to the overall cause in paving the way for us
to reach 300 runs. We declared with the score at 321 for 8 wickets
with Ajith de Alwis on 13 and Rajiva on 7. Suranimala Wijesinghe
ended up with 3 wickets for 88 whilst Halangode had the best figures
of 4 for 60 off 26 overs.
The Thomians opened with their regular pair as
in the first innings. Shortly thereafter Suranimala Wijesinghe got a
snorter on his head from Asantha when the score was at 5. With the
light fading, the incoming batsman, Lakmal de Zoysa did the obvious
and the appeal was upheld. Thus the second day's play ended with
almost an hour's play remaining. The Thomians ended the day's play
at 9 runs for no loss and would have felt that they had an uphill
task to save the game on the third day. Rohan Anthonisz did not last
for long. He departed within the first 20 minutes of play. Though
Suranimala Wijesinghe returned to bat, he too did not last long and
was caught off the bowling of Asantha. Guy and Lakmal steadily built
up a partnership but shortly prior to the lunch break Lakmal was out
after contributing a sedate 45. At lunch the Thomians had lost three
wickets. After lunch the Thomians lost wickets at regular intervals.
Guy who had scored 31 was bowled to an arm ball off Ajith de Alwis
whilst Umesh Idippily who provided a somewhat rear guard action was
dismissed later for a well compiled 29 stumped off the bowling ui
Ktfkiid di me i>uuK.e ui led wneli ndidiiyuud wdb wmi null di me
nine. inc iiioinidiis nau now lost 8 wickets when the score was 161.
We knew we only had to get rid of either Halangode or Chandrashan
Richards but we did not think that the Thomians had a totally
different plan of action for the final session.
Halangode and Richards professionally got about
their task during the post tea final session. Mixing caution with
aggression, Halangode gradually increased the scoring rate and
Richards proved to be a more than capable folly, playing the sheet
anchor role to perfection. We tried everything in our armour to
dislodge this pair without any success. Hats off to Halangode who
displayed true Thomian grit, determination and spirit and also to
Richards who too displayed equal courage against all odds. This
heroic pair not only saved the Thomians from certain defeat, but
also once again proved the glorious uncertainties of the wonderful
game of cricket. The Thomians finally ended the day and the game at
252 for 8 wickets with Halangode remaining unbeaten with a brilliant
70 and Richards remaining unbeaten with an equally solid 20. Asantha,
Ajith, Kesara and Haroon all had 2 wickets a piece.
To this day the friendships we developed with
our contemporaries have grown from strength to strength. The camaraderie still remains as before.
My fervent wish for the historic 125th
Royal-Thomian Encounter next year would be for the true spirit of
the game to continue with the better side producing a result.
Nevertheless let it be Royal all the way. All the very best to the
two teams and let the game produce the fun, frolic and enjoyment to
all concerned maintaining the rich traditions of our hallowed
institutions.
DISCE AUT DISCEDE
PRADEEP KARIYAWASAM
