Thiran Danapala named Best Fielder

4 wicket haul by Randev Pathirana

Match ends as draw

12.03.2015. The much awaited day has finally come. It’s nine in the morning at the SSC grounds as we witness crowds of students walking in with their straw hats and flags of either school. It’s a marvellous sight at the boys’ tent, standing in majesty with its decorations of blue and gold along with the thousands of students in white preparing to raise their lusty throats in unison to cheer for College.

The rest of the tents are also slowly filling up with ardent old-boys of either institution flocking in crowds to showcase their support for their alma mater. Indeed the entire ground with its atmosphere of gaiety and festivity is a nothing but a joyous celebration of the historical rapport built around this grand encounter.

It is time for the toss. The captains of either team walk down to the field with Harith Samarasinghe, gleaming in blue and gold striding beside his counterpart Helakamal Nanayakkara. It’s a lucky morning for S Thomas’ as they elect to field upon winning the toss.

The match is about to begin. The Prefects of either school prepare to present a grand entrance to the teams as they flock to the grounds showcasing two giant flags, one of blue & gold and the other of blue & black. The flags are held across as tunnels as the two teams make their way to the ground beneath those vast flags. The yells from the boys’ tent amidst the sounds of papare bands playing mark the beginning of these three unique days.

The match begins with Hasitha Samarasinghe opening the Royal innings beside Naveen Widanapathirana. The first session sees some impressive bowling and fielding by the Thomians as they manage to halt the batsmen at 86/4 by lunch time.

With the team walking off the ground amidst the cheering and welcoming of Prefects of either school, the crowds make their way to the field dressed in the colours of their favourite school, some waving flags in support for the team of their preference. The Stewards of the schools are parading with the same giant flag and a papare band leading them. Countless students from either school would join in; some waving their own flags, some hanging on to the giant flag and the others dancing to the tune of the papare. The ground is filled with numerous spectators previously bound to their respective tents, now enjoying themselves to the fullest while the teams prepared for the next session. Soon the ground is cleared as lunch time comes to an end.

Shortly after play begins, another wicket falls with pushing Royal to 94/5. It’s the captain of the side, Samarasinghe at the pitch alongside former captain Chamika Karunaratne who slowly raise the side’s score to 100/5. They put on an impressive partnership with Chamika making his way to a half century. At 173/6, Chamika is taken down having scored 57 runs for Royal. Soon after Harith follows at 175/7 having scored 35 runs. By tea time Royal’s innings come to an end at 199/10.

Once again the ground is filled with crowds let loose from their tents, shouting and running and cheering in joy. It’s a brilliant sight to witness the green being flooded with blue and gold as well as some black.

As tea break comes to an end, the Thomians start off with their innings. The batsmen seem to hang on to a slow game, scoring just 10 runs in 10 overs at one point. The bowlers seem to be facing a tough time as Thomians proceed to gather 50 runs at the end of 25 overs for no loss of wickets. Despite a slow game, it’s a good session for the Thomians having scored 50/0.

Play for the day ends, followed by the usual gathering of crowds parading the field in joy and cheer.

Next morning we see the Thomians at their a-game once again, as they manage to score a century for the loss of no wickets. Y Medis goes on to score a half century for the Thomians. The Royalists seem to be losing all hope when Randev Pathirana makes the much awaited breakthrough at 109/1.

The Thomians make a strong comeback as they hold on for the next few overs going on to score 180/1. Luck seems to have abandoned the Thomians as they commendable innings is halted with rain. Play resumes after a while, allowing on two overs where the Thomians managed to bring the score to 182/1. Rain interferes once again bringing an end to the days play.

Play resumes next morning, with the Thomians holding on to their impressive run as they score 200 runs for the loss of no further wickets. Randev is bowling once again when Danapala makes the next breakthough taking a run-out at 209/2. Soon after another run-out follows at 224/3, taking out Kodituwakku at 95 runs and denying him of his century. Randev strikes again at 259/4 shortly followed by Karunaratne breaking though at 260/5. Randev takes two more wickets at 261/6 and 270/7 pushing the Thomian side to declare at 270/7.

As Royal prepares for their next innings, the Prefects take on the ground parading once again with their flags beside the Stewards holding on to the giant flag of blue and gold. The Royal side is trailing S Thomas’ by 71 runs.

The second innings for the Royalists begins with an impressive catch by Y Mendis taking out Royal’s Hasitha Samarasinghe at 0/1. Geeshath Panditharatne along with Thiran Danapala manage to bring the sides score to 19/1 as rain interferes play once again.

Heavy rains follow and we see the Prefects and Stewards running across the grounds to every tent, giving yells and shouting out their support, trying to add some life to the tents dulled by the rain. By 3.00pm the match is called off due to rain, ending the encounter a draw.

The award ceremony follows, with Thiran Danapala being awarded the trophy for the Best Fielder along with S Jayatilake winning Best Bowler and R Kodituwakku having scored two century partnerships winning Best Batsman and Man of the Match. The Senanayake Challenge Shield was retained by Royal College for another year having been the last side to win the encounter.

Thus the 136^th Battle of the Blues, or in other words the Royal Thomian Cricket Encounter for the year 2015 came to an end keeping the Shield at Reed Avenue for yet another year.

Match Result: Draw