As the big day draws near let us take a walk down memory lane and relive the Jubilee Match of 1929;

Sun-bathed in Colombo in the throes of a warm Easter did not present a more animated spectacle than the S.S.C. Grounds on the 14^th of March 1929.

The Zealously-prepared turf wicket was roped off, so as to ensure its protection from the close scrutiny of well-meaning enthusiasts.

Before the rays of morning sun had penetrated the thin layer of clouds that besmirched the sky, our energetic Secretaries had by able supervision been able to complete the elaborate decorations and amply adequate accommodation of the Royal tent which ultimately proved a fit receptacle for enthusiastic supporters of the Blue and Gold. Shortly before the 09:30a.m. after a group photograph of the teams was taken one espied the dignified forms of the rival captains emerging from the seclusions of the S.S.C. pavilion.

As was usual with our captain who throughout the season had phenomenal luck, he won the toss, for even at this auspicious moment Fate was not unkind to him. He rightly elected to take first lease of a veritable batsman’s paradise.

Two umpires, bygone stars in the cricketing firmament and belonging to the rival schools paced with a dignity becoming the occasion towards the wicket, closely followed by eleven sturdy youths led by the redoubtable Hermon.

Wilson the hero of many a bygone match and moreover a tried veteran, along with Hubert opened the innings for the College.

From the onset it was evident that they were not taking any undue risks. Hermon opened with a maiden to Wilson, and Hubert scored the first run of the match off Gooneratne a slow left-hand bowler.

The partnership was short lived, for Hubert had his wickets spread eagled when the score stood at 5, all off his own bat.

F.C. de Saram joined Wilson and a productive partnership ensued. Wilson played the more forceful and stylish cricket while de Saram played correct cricket, repeatedly timing his strokes by meeting the ball with the full face of the bat.

The partnership was dissolved at 70, Wilson being caught off Gooneratne by Hermon. Wilson’s score of 34 included 7 boundaries.

D.B. Gunesekera filled the breach but was smartly stumped by Sivasambo after a patiently compiled 9.

Jayawickreme, the stalwart of the side, joined de Saram, and a striking contrast between strictly orthodox batting and a brilliant unorthodox knock was witnessed.

De Saram was soon out l.b.w. to the elder Senanayake after the Thomains had fruitlessly tried four other bowlers.

Derek de Saram’s contribution was characterized by great patience, confidence and calm. His score of 72 included 8 boundaries and cruel fate robbed him of a well-deserved century.

Poulier the speed merchant joined Jayewickrema, and slow cricket was witnessed for some time, an unusual thing with these two batsmen. Jayewickreme in attempting to break the monotony of singles he was scoring was run out with score at 169. He played a very restrained and patient game in comparison with his lustier knocks in previous matches. Kandiah the captain joined Poulier, and some brisk batting was witnessed, both batsmen punishing the now completely collared bowling.

When Kandiah’s individual contribution was 26, he was out l.b.w. to R. Senenayake. Though he did not play orthodox cricket, he punished the bowling in a confident manner. Labrooy joined Poulier and showed unusual confidence in scoring his runs. After having gathered 15 however, he was bowled by Osmund de Silva in unsuccessfully trying to turn a straight ball to leg.

Poulier did not survive for long being bowled by the first ball of Gooneratne’s over. Jegganathan and F.R. de Saram were associated in a very long partnership ere the former was run out after banging the ball twice to the ropes. De Saram minor after playing his usual careful game met with the same fate as Jegganathan, being run out to an excellent throw-in by Hermon. Wille was not out with a modest 5. The College tool full advantage of the first lease of a carefully prepared wicket, and it was unfortunate that we did not break the record for the highest total of the series.

The Thomian innings commenced after tea and disaster overtook them soon when Wickremasinghe was bowled by Poulier for a single. At the end of the day’s play the score stood at 85 for 3, the Senanayake brothers having gallantly come to the rescue after Hermon was run out. D. Senanayake having complied 32 and R. Senanayake being not out 32. Play commenced the next day at 09:30a.m. and the score had risen to 117 through the efforts of Senanayake minor and Selvadurai, when Senanayake was brilliantly stumped by young de Saram. The same individual came into prominence not many minutes later when he stumped Selvadurai off Gunasekara with the score at 139. The rest of the side did not defy the bowling much longer except O. de Silva who scored a hard hit 28. The Innings terminated at 190 Kandiah, Gunesekera and Poulier each took two wickets while Wille and Laboory took one each. A feature of the innings was the College fielding and the smart wicket-keeping of one of our promising recruits.

The Thomians failed to avert a follow-on and Royal took the field for a second time at 02:21p.m. Hermon and Wickremasinghe opened the innings but the latter was out in Kandiah’s third over being cleaned bowled.

R. Senanayake who was next in was immediately given a life being dropped behind the wickets of Poulier.

The first change was effected when Jayawickreme was given in charge of the leather and he met instantaneous success having R. Senanayake caught out for 2. The elder Senanayake joined Hermon but the latter was soon out after a carefully compiled 30 being well caught at point off Kandiah.

Selvadurai joined Senenayake and a further change met with success, Wille breaking through Senanayke’s defense. Selvadurai and Samarasekara then associated themselves in a productive partnership of a very aggressive type, and Kandiah in desperation put de Saram on to bowl lobs. His second ball ended the partnership, Selvadurai being run out. The rest of the side collapsed for 17 runs with the score at 138. Hermon and his men took the field for the second time closely followed by Poulier and Jegganathan. Excitement reigned high for the Jubilee match seemed likely to end favorably towards us. It was a fight against time, and we gathered the required runs for the loss of three wickets on the stroke of time.

It was a dramatic and decisive victory never to be forgotten by the jubilant Royalist who witnessed it. Unforgettable scenes followed, three old Royalist Captains being tossed by Royal’s triumphant supporters.

This was extracted from – The Royal College Magazine 1929: Easter Term.