Just that little extra bit of
magic...
Recipe for a memorable Royal-Thomian
-Notes from the second day.
2 Parts Enthusiasm 6 Parts
Energy 2 Parts Liberal Volumes of Alcohol 300 Rupees + Money for a Taxi Home
A Ticket for the Game Some Ice A Plastic Cup A Bunch of Good Friends A
College Flag (Optional)
If Ashley Walker, the instigator
of this annual encounter, were to look down from heaven and witness the
Royal Thomian encounters of the last few years, I am sure he, just as a
bunch of aliens staring at us from above would ponder what on earth is going
on?
22 cricketers are slogging it out
on the pitch in the searing heat of the mid day sunshine and the spectators
in their masses only pay this enormous effort the slightest regard.
The spectators, mostly young and
old, boys and men are drowning their souls with all forms of intoxicating
potions. Picture this, twelve childhood friends drinking from the same
casket of Arrack, eating the same dose of junk food that consists of under
fried rolls and drumsticks, complemented by hotdogs cooked at dawn and baked
further in the sun under the plastic canopies of the vendors who roam the
stadium.
Why go through all of this? The
burning heat, the sometimes claustrophobic atmosphere, the smell, taste and
sight of intoxicants, liberally applied with puddles of
vomit and dripping sweat. Well it's the fellowship of it all, forget the
cricket (except when Royal wins) it's the annual get together of not only
those like-minded, but also of everyone you probably know. Your best
friends, those you played games with at college, the silent guy from class
and hate them or love them, your teachers. They are all here cheering on the
Alma Mater. And those are just the people from College. What about your
'friends' from Thora and those other random Johnnies that show up just for
the atmosphere.
What would this article and the
'Battle of the Blues' be without a mention of the girls? Your teenage crush,
your bird, your Mrs., your Wife and your forever more. But let us not get
caught up in melodramatic tales. Often the feminine gender beyond from
looking 'pretty' is seen to be doing yeoman service by tending to those who
are worse from wear and also the writer notes their valiant efforts to stop
fighting, often amongst the best of friends.
Turn up at the grounds bright and
early (well lets' say 11 AM) Proceed to meet and greet friends and
acquaintances both old and new. Pay scant regard to the cricket in the
background and begin consuming alcohol in record quantities. Before you
realise, it will be mid day and time for lunch. At this point, lunch can be
considered as optional, given the liquid nature of your diet. If you however
prefer to eat something, bite into a hot dog, drumstick or Chinese roll. If
the palette seeks temporary salvation, opt for either water or a fizzy
drink. Remember beer is not a substitute for water.
If you still have time, why not go
for a clockwise stroll along the boundary line? Witness the upstanding
members of the Mustangs, Stallions and Colts as they revel in their
intoxicated states and a band plays loudly behind them, dishing out old time
favourites like 'Country Roads' or 'Alice.'
A sea of white and blue awaits you
at the boy's tent' of Royal College, a few brave teachers attend as
supervisors, meanwhile the College Prefects act as impromptu cheer leaders
as they encourage and motivate the boys to sing, cheer and chant for
College.
Further along is the Thomian boy's
tent, where attendees are allowed to wear coloured clothing and come across
as perhaps a tad posh as and when compared to their Royalist counterparts.
Further on the Seylan tent (as it
was known) is home to many a prison style brawl fuelled with cheap wine,
beer and spirits. The Board of Control grandstand is next and towers above
the spectator on the ground. Upstairs the spectator gets a bird eye view of
the proceedings and also is ever that more closer to heaven and angels as I
have heard a number of individuals crying out after a few shots' nearer my
god to thee' proceeded by that said person passing out.
Below the grandstand is to be
found the corporate boxes where a family
friendly environment prevails with
ice coffee and snacks being passed around.
Your tour of the grounds should
end with your arrival at the pavilion. Upstairs the player's dressing's
rooms are located next to the enclosure where the principals of the two
schools, chief guests, distinguished invitees and parents sit. Beside them,
the pavilion upstairs plays host to a more refined and conservative breed of
spectator who are to be seen with their flasks with hot tea, sandwiches and
handheld FM radios. They applaud every boundary and acknowledge every
monumental cricketing milestone be it a century or a brilliant bowling
spell.
After lunch, the return of the
players to the ground signals not only the start of play but also the
commencement of another session of binge drinking. Most have been drinking
right throughout lunch, but for the others who have been busy eating or in
conversation, it's time to raise their glasses yet again. The post match
drinking session is also the time when those who have been working for the
first half of the days play arrive at the stadium.
As the sun begins it's decent,
time passes as the throngs continue to down drinks, some get high. some get
stoned and some pass out in a blaze of cheering, laughter and even sometimes
tears.
The brief tea break offers another
chance for the spectator to breathe, if you are awake by then that is. Look
around and you will see bodies slumped over chairs and on the floor, some
being fanned by loved ones and some hugging the terra firma only to be
eventually awoken by a friend, passer by or policemen.
The post tea session is the most
intense in terms of sheer staying power, by 4 PM if you are still standing
and drinking, you are worthy of praise. Navigating the piles of empty
bottles, food and vomit makes this an even arduous task. As the sun is
setting the atmosphere becomes absolutely electric and papare bands begin to
churn out tunes that provide the backing for a good baila session (filth
included).
The prefects of both schools can
be seen circling the grounds waving flags and attracting jeers and cheers
from spectators. You might want to glance at the scoreboard at this stage,
but that too is a mere formality (perhaps the final day of play changes
this).
As play ends and the players
return to their dressing rooms, its time to gather any belongings you may
have (and can find) and head home in a three-wheeler. A good dinner and a
sound nights sleep is advisable. After all the third and final day is
tomorrow. Ashley Walker must indeed be smiling...
May the best team win... Royal of
course.
Debramandadige Harin Jason 'boycy'
Femando
Group of 2001
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