For the 9th consecutive year “Battle of the blues in Qatar” Cricket and Rugby encounter between Old Royalists and Old Thomians in Qatar, will take place on 03rd (Friday) November 2017 at the Mesaieed grounds in Qatar from 8.00 am onwards.
Royal College of Colombo & S. Thomas’ College of Mount Lavinia are two schools which have a rich academic record of over 150 years in Sri Lanka. Together they also have the longest uninterrupted cricket match series (Battle of the Blues) in the world, even older than the Ashes, having being played for 138 years continuously to date.
A much awaited event for every old boy of both schools living in Qatar as it is a day for them to celebrate the special bond that they share. It is not just a cricket rugby encounter, but a fun filled event as every member of the family of both teams would turn up and enjoy the celebrations. This year encounter includes 1st XI Cricket Match, Veterans Cricket Match, Ladies Cricket Match and Touch Rugby 7’s Match.
According to the joint committee of Old Royalist and Old Thomians working in Qatar, “Battle of the blues in Qatar” is the first ever Sri Lankan schools old boys’ big match in Qatar which unfolded in year 2009. Further, previous editions featured several prominent past cricketers of both schools namely Dharshan Bodiyabaduge, Dammika Bulankulame, Suresh Bulankulame and Dilshan Gunawardana from St. Thomas College and Suranga Lokubalasooriya, Tharaka Kottahewa from Royal College Colombo. This year’s encounter will also feature the presence of Imal Liyanage who led the Royal College 1st XI cricket team in year 2012.
