The Royal-Thomian is the most looked forward to sporting and social event in the calendar of present and past students of the two most renowned schools in Sri Lanka. The Battle of the Blues is one of the most celebrated Sports rivalries in Sri Lankan sports history.
The Battle of the Blues is an undeclared holiday for the young and old of both schools. Many a great story has been told and will continue to be told about one’s or the team’s exploits on and off the field.
Coach, back to bring back Glory
ThePapare.com caught up with a few Thomians to share their experience about the “Big Match.” One of them is the current Thomian 1st XI coach and old boy Mr. Dinesh Kumarasinghe, who is in his second stint as the coach of S.Thomas’. Mr. Kumarasinghe coached S.Thomas’ from 1988 to 2003 where he guided them to two famous Battle of the Blues victories in 1997 and 1999.
“It is great to be back at S.Thomas’. I started as a coach soon after my playing career at college. I’ve had experience playing, coaching as well as a spectator at the Big Match; three totally different experiences. As a coach you are more focused on the match, with preparations and tactics”
“1997 was a memorable year. We lost the shield in 1991 and wanted to bring back the shield desperately. In ’97 we had a great team which included Upeka Fernando, Bathiya Karunarathna, Nilanka Peiris, Roshan Mapatuna, Naren Ratwatte to name a few. Nilanka and Bathiya got hundreds and Mapatuna got a hat-trick and ended with a six wicket haul in the first innings. Royal had Jehan Mubarak but he failed in both innings. We brought back the shield in record breaking style and we hope to do exactly that this year too.”
Three results in three years
In 2005 S.Thomas’ won. A year later Royal won it back. And in 2007 there was one thing Captain Ashan Peiris and his team had in mind, “To bring the shield back!”
“The loss in 2006 shook us really hard as individuals and a team. There were certain challenges with some players going abroad who could have played that year and gaps in terms of consistency. However physical and mental preparation was intense and looking back I am proud of the boys as to how they approached both the big match and the Mustangs trophy that year. The experience at the big match that year was phenomenal; we dominated from the start and didn’t let the grip off till the end. Being able to emulate the win in 2005 which too was by innings and an early end on the 3rd day was a pleasant surprise.”
Thomian Grit
A story about S.Thomas’ College or The Battle of the Blues is never complete without a mention about the legendary ‘Thomian Grit.’ Many a Thomian or a Royalist would know about the heroics of Mahinda Halangoda and C.P. Richards in the Centenary match in 1979. Following on to the Royal score of 312/8 S.Thomas’ on day three were 127/7 when Halangoda went into bat, still 31 runs behind to avert an innings defeat. At tea they were 161/8. Royal led by Ranjan Madugalle had a ferocious attack which included Sudath Pasqual and Asantha de Mel and Ramesh de Silva but Halangoda and Richards batted on till dusk to finish with 254/8 with scores of 70* and 20* respectively to save the centenary game.
In 2009 in the 130th Battle of the Blues another duo eclipsed that feat. Batting first a star studded Royal which included Captain Banuka Rajapaksa, Kusal Perera, Kithuruwan Vithanage and Ramith Rambukwella blasted 313/9. By lunch on day two, S.Thomas’ were 21/2, not in their first inning but in their second inning! A Royal victory inside two days was on the cards. But Captain Ravinthiraraja Nirrushan and Faahim Saleem had other ideas. By the end of day 2, both had scored centuries and the score was 220/2. Nirrushan got out early on day 3 but Saleem continued his marathon inning and went for 165 after lunch. He was ably supported by fresher Sachin Peiris who scored a half century and gave Royal a target of 200 in 20 overs. S.Thomas’ who were bowled out for 99 in the first inning had scored a mammoth 411. The Royal stars faulted losing Banuka, Kusal and Kithuruwan and finally took bad light with the score on 42/3 after 7 overs.
“After lunch we went into bat with a simple plan and a clear mind. We told ourselves that we just had to bat as long as possible. We spoke to each other after every ball, concentrating as hard as possible to bat long. What followed after that is history…”
That is a sneak-peak into that amazing story of the Thomian Grit by Ravi Nirrushan. Be sure to read the whole story in this year’s Thomian Souvenir.
Before one becomes a coloursman you are a fan of the Battle of the Blues. It is the same for Nirrushan.
“My memories of my earliest big matches span from 1996 to 2003 because from 2004 onwards I was part of the squad and never witnessed a big match as a pure spectator. Covering myself in ‘blue and black’ with wristbands, college t shirts and taking my monumental college flag and getting to the SSC with my boys tent tickets. I enjoyed the free flowing nature of the boy’s tent with no seats and that I could also climb on the fences be as close as possible to the action. I also remember making efforts to familiarize myself with the names of the ‘aiyas’ who were playing the big match and trying to figure out what their roles were.”
“As a spectator the experience can be summed up as ‘fun, more fun and even more fun’. As a spectator you enjoy every moment of the match knowing very well that you are witnessing history being written. Your priority is to have as much fun as possible while extending your support to the teams by occasional chants of ‘Thora, Thora…..’ You try your best to keep up with the match, but the priority is almost always given to having fun except at significantly crucial phases of the game.”
