What more can one say about the Royal-Thomian Cricket encounters except the simple truth which is that, this spectacle is without doubt is the single most anticipated School Cricket Encounter in the annual schools cricket calendar.
Being a participant of this tradition from the blue and black side of the cricketing divide, what I’m about to share with you is a sentiment which is very dear to my heart and one which is shared by all Thomians-which as we all know Is the more gentile school- who have had the honour of representing college.
The hope, the dream, the prayer and finally living the reality came to pass in 2009 in the month of march when I was handed the colours blazer at 7 a.m. just prior to the traditional breakfast which is hosted by the Warden. As a player it is not possible to relate the feelings that came to pass in gaining the knowledge that you had been selected to represent your alma mater in at the Big Match. This childhood dream which my father fostered within me and I grew to hold dear and cherish was made all the sweater on the mentioned morning when the blazer-which is not provided beforehand for a fit on- which was handed to me fit so perfectly well on to my shoulders. At that moment I felt like I was on the top of the world and I was convinced this blazer was my destiny. So now since I had got the opportunity it was the time to deliver realizing that the only feeling that could surpass the comfort of this well-fitting blazer was to carry the D.S. Senanayake Shield and hold it up high while in this very blazer. At that moment I realized every breath I would take from that moment on would be solely channeled to make that one last allusive dream from my schooling career come to pass.
Getting in to the bus after breakfast, the atmosphere was one of pin drop silence. All of us silently contemplating what had come to pass and simply thinking about the one cause which mattered most: winning the Big Match and keeping the shield. However, walking into the SSC was a completely different affair, the atmosphere was just electrifying! Papare bands from each stand trying to outperform each other and the two boys tents trying to out cheer each other only added to the goose bumps that were tingling my spine at the moment I saw my name as a fresher on the big score board next to my seniors and team mates. That memory dear reader,I shall carry with me till I breathe my last for after all this was my first love. Repeat this privilege four more years which included the Captaincy in 2011, I realize in retrospect how blessed I have been to attend S.Thomas’ and run out on to the fields adorning the colours cap as many times as I did.
At present as an old boy the glory days are past, the memories are fresh and the camaraderie which was built around the Big Match I believe will last the test of time. To date, now and again when life seems to be more than which is bearable I search out the colours cap from my closet to find that still those joyous memories hold way over me and make the burdens of life less heavy giving me hope. Alas this is my attempt to share with you the pleasure and privilege that was to represent S. Thomas’ Mt. Lavania at the Annual Royal-Thomian Cricket Encounter.
