The city of Galle is all festive with flags in every corner ready for the most anticipated cricketing rivalry of the town, the Lovers Quarrel.
The 108th ‘Lovers Quarrel’ between the traditional lovers Richmond College and Mahinda College Galle is to be held as on schedule on the 22nd and 23rd of this month at the Galle International Cricket Grounds. The whole city is infected with the big match fever and everyone from the young students to the old boys are totally into the quarrel displaying the colors of their schools from their wrists till their vehicle and also properties. The main attraction of the quarrel, the parades, are also on roll with flying colors !
Being two of the most well known cricket teams of the nation the battle between these two ‘lovers’ has been elegant and very competitive. The Quarrel began in 1905 however the matches were not played for some time thereafter. In the 39 year long history of this encounter Richmond College has won it 23 times and Mahinda College 21 which gives a clear idea how competitive it has been. Mahinda College won it in 2008 and since it has been back to the draws. Both teams believe the time is up for a game with a result.
These two colleges have done exceptionally well in the current season. But the Richmond team hold an edge having fared stupendously well throughout this season playing 15 matches and winning 11 of them outright remaining unbeaten in the others or ending with draws. They also head the list for the best School Cricket team award this season. Richmond boasts of an astonishing line up of 5 batsmen passing the individual score of 600 for this season Sithara Gimhana, Hasitha Madushan, A.K.Tyron, Kalum Nanayakkara and Charith Asalanka have their arms stretched and will be full throttle to bang the ball.These five classy batsmen are in top form and the Mahindians might have to think about how to bowl at them. Considering the bowling side of the Richmondites, a strong set of bowlers are already swinging their arms and spinning the ball and it will be a good tussle to watch.
A.K.Tyron has successfully taken 85 wickets in 15 matches along with Saveen Nanayakkara and Bhanuka Madupriya having passed their individual marks of 50 wickets. The performances by A.K.Tyron and Saveen Nanayakkara took them to represent the U-19 SriLankan National team making their College proud. Bowlers like Prabath Nishantha and Chamod Piyumal have given their support and helped at many occasions in breaking down strong partnerships and taking important wickets throughout the season.
The Mahindians are also in good form where they have Nirwantha Thikshila passing 800 runs in the current season holding the record for the 1st century in school T-20 in 2012. Two of his team mates follow his lead Indeera Gallage and Chalana De Silva having passed 600 runs individually which shows that the Mahinda side is also in good batting form. It should be definitely mentioned that Chalana De Silva has shown up with some amazing bowling during the season taking 80 wickets. Malith Mahela has also come to the reckoning with 45 wickets for this season which makes the Mahinda bowling squad verystrong. This had led to the Mahindians winning 3 of the 17 matches played in the season. It is such a situation where both the teams have to concentrate on their play in order hold the upper-hand.
A.K.Tyron Needs Attention :
Representing the U-19 national team Tyron who has scored more than 600 runs will be one to look out for at Mahindians. He has scored 83 against Dharmapala College, 67 against Royal College and 5 more half centuries. Tyron being an all-rounder, his bowling attributes has shown up tremendously with 85+wickets with his astonishing spin. He has been able to take 10 wickets in both innings against Ananda College and Rewatha College , 6 wickets against Dharmashoka and 3 to 4 wickets in the rest of the matches. He is now the vice captain of the Richmond team and he hopes to play at his best at the 108th lovers quarrel putting out all of his energy and experience into bringing home victory along with his team .
Chalana De Silva into show :
This Mahindian has showed up his cricketing skills playing well in the current season. Being an all-rounder Chalana has passed the 600 run mark along with 2 of his other team mates scoring a magnificent amount of 80 runs against Royal College. Talking about his bowling performance, he has taken a total of 80 wickets for the season with two extra ordinary efforts of taking 10 wickets in 2 innings against both Maris Stella College and Dharmapala College. This figure shows a tremendous piece of work and he will be looked upon to help his team gain advantage. The Richmondites will have to look him over.
ThePapare.com spoke with Richmond captain Hasitha Madushan who had this to say on the big match“Like all other matches, this Quarrel is not a Big match but a normal match like which we often play with different teams at different grounds. Me and my team look forward to play this game as a normal cricket game without taking pressure in mind and play in such manner to bring home victory “and the Richmond coach Dhammika Sudarshana stated “Its nothing special about this big match after winning successfully from match to match in the games played. I have faith that my team would play in a good manner making me a proud coach and achieving their goal , victory. I wish them all the very best and will coach them until the last minute of the game “
Nirwantha Thikshila (captain) Mahinda strangely articulated the same sentiment “ I’m not excited about this big match. According to my point of view I take it as another match in our season against our fellow Richmondites. But I will guide my team with extra effort to be dropped in while playing and hope to win “ Further to ThePapare question on what he feels about the match, Hasitha Rajapakshacoach of Mahinda simply said“ the team has improved since my coaching period for Mahinda College and the team has showed satisfying success. Being with the team , I have a positive feeling about their cricket and actually im trying my best to bring my team upto a certain climax “.
Teams –
Richmond College – Hasith Madushan (Captain), A.K.Tyron (Vice captain), Sithara Gimha, Bhanuka Madupriya, Saveen Nanayakkara, Kalum Nanayakkara, Charith Asalanka, Wanidu Hasaranga, Chamod Piyumal, Sahan Romesh, Manula Gunawardhana, Waruna Deshapriya, Kamindu Mendis, Pasindu Bimsara.
Mahinda College – Nirwantha Thikshila (Captain), Indeera Gallage (Vice Captain), Chalana De Silva, Malith Mahela, Binuka Waduge, Ishara Akalanka, Nilantha Laksiri, Eranga Sangeeth, Dulas Udayanga, Thamith Kalhara, Chanuka Udara, Yashodha Kaushan, Pasindu Dilshan, Thithira Sanuka, Yohan Dilshan.
