ITS MARCH AGAIN........
Ask what is the most exciting month of the year
from any Royalists or Thomian and the answer will be March.
Undoubtedly, March bring them glory and nostalgic memories for
both young and old boys of these two hallowed institutions/The
month of March marks the oldest cricket encounter in the annals
of school cricket when Royal meet S. Thomas' for the most
exciting annual fixture It is the one and only encounter played
uninterrupted for 126 years despite the country having
experienced two world wars. They will now meet for the 127th
year to mark another fixture of the two finest schools with long
established traditions and records among them.
The Royal-Thomian is not merely an annual cricket
match. The enthusiasm is glorious as old boys from near far flock to
meet each other being the only venue to meet. Popular as the "Battle
of the Blues", rivalry is only limited to the turf and the playing
area and the boys from two sides make new friends and establish life
long friendships. This is a rare feature seen then and now. Only
Royalists and Thomians have done that for over a century and a
quarter. It is the encounter that commenced 1879 with the two Heads
of the schools too playing in the inaugural fixture. A few years
later they recorded the famous nine run match where the Royalists
all out for nine runs did not reportedly turn up for play on the
second day. Royalists claim it was a draw while the Thomians have
added it to their number of victories. That was never a hindrance
for the smooth continuation of the encounters to follow.
The "Battle of the Blues" during out time was the
premier event of the year prior to Sri Lanka attaining Test status.
All eyes were focused on this two day encounter where exciting
cricket was played providing fan fare in all tents. Despite the
country gaining Test status and cricket expanding, the spirit of
this great encounter remains the same. With the centenary encounter,
the match is now being played over three days. The extension of the
game looks boring some years with no result emanating. But
excitement and the spirit grows by the longer hours of this game.
Royal-Thomian memories never fade away. The memorable innings of
Vijay Malalasekere of 112 during my school days at Royal is yet
fresh in my mind. Also the Royal defeat in 1964 at the hands of
Thomian skipper, the late Premalal Gunesekere still haunts my
memory. We, the Royalists were led by J.D. Wilson that year.
The great Royal-Thomian encounter that brings
past and present students together is inter dependent on each other.
The two schools have built up traditions and culture of this game as
a single unit rarely witnessed among other encounters. It holds a
place of pride in all encounters of this island nation as Royalists
and Thomians from all over the world assemble in large and record
numbers at the Colombo seven venue to refresh memories. Though
rivalry of the game is intense, the best sporting traditions are
followed maintaining the highest standards of discipline and
decorum. One will never ever find a place like the Royal-Thomian to
renew old acquaintances. It is not limited only to the old boys as
some of them meet their old girl friends too at this encounter.
Sometimes it is sad but glad to see your school day girl friend
flanked by her husband either a Royalists or a Thomian having
offered their productions to one of the two legendary schools. So
the Royal-Thomian is also a place where you could track down your
old lovers. One would never get a place like this encounter to
refresh memories that will linger throughout your life. That's why
Royalists and Thomians never die. They only rest to meet once a
year. I am sure the souls of departed men from both schools too come
for this great game though we cannot see them. This is why the
Royal-Thomian remains the greatest encounter in the annals of our
history.
By Lakshman Kiriella
