Wednesday 11th March, 2009 15

eters, A. C. Amath, D. L. De Senanayake played for S. Saram, S. Saravanamuttu, Thomas’ in 1927, ‘28 and ‘29. Y FM looking forward Vernon Prins, Michael Tissera, National hero Edward Pedris Dr. B. G. Reid, Anura Tennekoon turned out for S. Thomas’ in The first schoolboys only College vs Academy and - have cap- 1907, while the only Ceylonese to to long term deal tained, Ceylon, or All-Ceylon or be awarded the Victoria Cross match was in 1880. The result was a 62 run win against foreign teams. for Valour, Basil Hosfall was a with SLSRFA The first All-Ceylon bit unfortunate to be named the for the Academy. J. W. de Silva captained the captain Douglas Lee De Saram 12th man, in the Thomian team. by Ravi Nagahawatte (1922) who’s also the first Not many know that the Academy and F. W. McDonnnell led S. Thomas’. Ceylonese to get his name in the time-honoured match is played Y FM is on the verge of striking a cricketers ‘Bible’ the Wisden for the most coveted D. S. sponsorship deal with the Sri Lanka (1912), played for S. Thomas’ Senanayake Challenge Shield. Schools Rugby Football Association from 1898 to 1902. W. T. Greswell So after 129 ‘Battles’, the (SLSRFA) in connection with the has said in an interview: “if the score according to Royal records upcoming Inter-school Under-19 by Gayathra Mahamendra League Rugby tournament for 2009. Director Sales MBC Network, Sujith (Life member, Royal College Silva told ‘The Island’ that discussions Union and the Group of ‘76) held so far with the SLSRFA have been positive. The most looked forward to “We are looking forward to sponsor- sporting and social event in the ing the inter-school league rugby tour- There’s no Royal without nament this year. Certain aspects calendar of both past and pres- ent Royalists and Thomians, the regarding the sponsorship deal need to Royal-Thomian , also be confirmed at both ends. Y FM is known as the ‘Battle of the looking forward to a long term spon- blues’ will be played for the 130th sorship deal with the SLSRFA,” said time on 12, 13 and 14 March at Silva. the SSC grounds, in . S. Thomas’ and no STC SLSRFA Secretary, Kumar Rodrigo S. Thomas’ College Mount said that negotiations with the MBC Lavinia, a private Anglican Network had been fruitful and a deal school, has about 2400 boys on between the two parties should be roll and Royal College Colombo, struck soon. a government run non denomi- According to the SLSRFA, the slot national school has approxi- without Royal! for a sponsor for the senior schools mately 8000, thus making it the league rugby tournament fell vacant largest school in the country. after Singer Sri Lanka had informed History records S. Thomas’ those initial years. recorded as a win for the college them that they wouldn’t be sponsoring A pioneer of cricket in team by an innings and three players are understudying their stands at: Royal College with 33 the rugby tournament this year. College Colombo (in Mutwal, popular idol D. L. De Saram, they wins while S. Thomas’ has won later Mount Lavinia) as the first Ceylon, Rev.Falkner coached the runs. The second match in 1879 Silva, elaborating on the probable college boys and was the ended in a win for the Academy should continue to do so. No bet- 34 matches. But according to S. sponsorship deal, said that they had school to play cricket in Ceylon ter model cricketer or sports- Thomas’ College statistics, the (as Sri Lanka was then known). Thomian cricket captain for sev- team by 56 runs. But both these picked schools rugby because it blend- eral years. matches are not taken into man ever donned flannels in tally is: Royal College (33) and S. ed well with its programmes, which In 1864, S. Thomas’ played Ceylon.” Thomas’ 35 wins! the first match against the small Asbly Walker, also a account as masters played in revolve around youth activities. S. P. Foenander has said: “D. The difference is obviously Pass Cricket Club in Colombo. Cambridge ‘Blue’, arrived in both teams. “Apart from the commercial aspects L. De Saram is the finest all- due to the controversial match The result is recorded as an Ceylon in January 1877 to take The first schoolboys only that such a deal will be associated up duties at the Colombo College vs Academy match was round cricketer and the most played in 1885. The Royalists say with, our company is also interested in eight run victory for the college. popular in the history of the Academy in the Pettah (later in 1880. The result was a 62 run the match was drawn, but the fostering positive values. Y FM also More importantly, this 1864 game in Ceylon. For sheer stroke renamed Royal College and shift- win for the Academy. J. W. de Thomians record it as a win! plans to promote leadership, education match has gone down in history production and power, he has as the first recorded Ceylonese ed to Reid Avenue). Walker start- Silva captained the Academy Since then, the fierce tussle for and also help the public, players, par- never been surpassed and his ents and spectators to be familiarised cricket match played in the ed coaching the academy boys and F. W. McDonnnell led S. supremacy between the arch- and organised the first Academy Thomas’. presence in the cricket field with the IRB code of conduct,” Silva country. From 1864 to 1877, S. rivals has brought out the very cricket team in 1878. Since the 1880s, these two made him a cricketer second to further said. Thomas’ has continued to play best in ‘Royal courage’ and the The very first ‘College vs great schools - the most presti- none in the history of the game Silva said that a press briefing matches against clubs, including in the island.” famed ‘Thomian grit’ on the field the elitist European dominated Academy’ cricket match (as the gious in Sri Lanka - have would be held to notify the rugby fra- Even Sri Lanka’s national and off it as well. Colombo Cricket Club. As there Royal-Thomian was then called) churned out world class crick- ternity as soon a deal is struck leaders have played in the ‘Battle When asked to comment on was no other school playing was played in 1878. eters. Famous Royal cricketers - between Y FM and the SLSRFA. Incidentally, this was the Dr. C. H. Gunesekera, Sargo of the blues’. President J. R. the relationship between the two As many as 48 schools are expected cricket during that time in Jayewardene played for Royal in first cricket match played by the Jayawickrema, Col. F. C. De schools, former Royal College to benefit from the sponsorship deal if Ceylon, the Sub-Warden of the 1925. The ‘father of the nation’ D. Colombo Academy, thus becom- Saram, Sathi Coomaraswamy, C. Principal, Bogoda Premaratne it comes through. college, Reverend Felton S. Senanayake played for S. Falkner, a Cambridge ‘Blue’ has ing the second school to play I. Gunesekera, Gamini had this to say: “There is no SLSRFA secretary Rodrigo said that Thomas’ in 1901 and ‘02. he expected all popular rugby playing rendered a great service to devel- cricket in Ceylon. Although the Goonesena, Royal without S. Thomas’ and no scores are not given, the result is and renowned S. Thomas’ crick- Sir John Kotelawala played schools to cooperate with the new op cricket at S. Thomas’ during S. Thomas’ without Royal!” for Royal in 1914 and ‘15. Dudley sponsor, when the deal is confirmed. Last year, Kingswood won the Division 1 Group A segment of the tournament while St. Joseph’s won the Group B segment.

Samantha to the fore in Kalutara thriller by M. N. Pushpakumara

Samantha Sooriyaarachchi’s unbeaten 46 runs helped Kalutara Vidyalaya beat Tissa MMV in an old boy’s encounter (over-40 years) played at Kalutara Cricket grounds last Saturday. Ruawan Jayaweera and Mahinda Ratnayaka contributed 28 and 18 respectively for the winners in the 20 overs encounter. Samantha guided the old boys of Kalutara Vidyalaya to a thrilling win, with two balls to spare. Meanwhile, Milan Sampath’s 58 for Tissa MMV proved to be in vain. Palitha de Silva and Anura Abeysekara scored 10 and 19 runs for Trinity College, , First XI cricket squad 2008-2009 the losers respectively, as they were or seven and added to match bags of ten was impressive with the ball capturing 7 restricted to 136 runs. against St. Anne’s and the Wesleyites, for 47 against the Royalists. Scores: and 11 against Royalists and 12 against Fifteen-year-old Niroshan Dikwella, Tissa MMV 136 for 7 (Milan Trinity youngsters Isipatana. who produced an unbeaten ton and two Sampath 58, Anura Abeysekara 19, His performance with the bat has half tons is a yet another youngster who Palitha de Silva 10; N. Weerasekara 2- also been impressive. He has made over has distinguished himself. 12, R. Paranawithana 2-2) 500 runs this season. Dinuk Weeraratne, who has topped Kalutara Vidyalaya 137 for 9 (19.4 Last year’s skipper Dilan Gangoda 450 runs is a also the substitute wicket- overs) (Samantha Sooriyaarachchi 46 attempt to emulate has been the most successful bat with keeper who is playing in his second year, not out, Ruwan Jayaweera 28, Mahinda three centuries to his credit. He is while Dushan Ranasinghe, Keheliya Ratnasuriya 18; A. Abeysekara 2-23, D. among one of the few to go beyond the Atugoda, Travin Ratnayake, Kavinda Weerakkodi 3-17) 1000 run mark this season. The sixth Jayasooriya, Madushan Basnayake and player has also has accounted for over 60 Janishka Premasinghe have also played new skipper Sanga victims behind the stumps and is one of useful roles, both with bat and ball, their most versatile players. when the opportunity arose. Letter Mohamed Sajid, the deputy skipper by Rukshan Razak tories under their belt, all against for- Due to a shortage of quality fast midable outfits. and a left hand middle-order batsman Over the years, the Trinitians have with a couple of half tons has made his bowlers the Trinitians have had to rely Urgent requirements contributed their share of cricketers to They beat Sri Rahula, St. Anne’s, to a great extent on their spinners. Kegalu Vidyalaya, Dharmapala while presence felt with an aggregate of 600 the National team and will be proud of runs, while opener Kithmal The ‘Lions’ will warm up when they The presence of a right arm leg spin- the fact that, has the high point was when they beat home play against Price of Wales College, town rivals, Dharmaraja College. Wimalaweera also has made impressive ner in the Sri Lanka team is a sine qua been appointed captain of the Sri Lanka Moratuwa at Asgiriya Stadium before But they had their share of disap- strides lately with a few half tons. non. cricket team. their 93rd ‘Big Match’ (against St. pointments too, when they had to suc- Playing in his third year, Kithmal, It will mean that two pace bowlers Following in the footsteps of such who has topped 500 runs, is also a lively Anthony’s College, Katugastota) on will not wallow in no-balls and wides, predecessors are their present young- cumb to three defeats at the hand of three Colombo schools, St. Peter’s, Royal fielder in the covers. March 13 and 14 at Katugastota. frequently. sters, who are shaping up well with the Another player who stole the lime- Even the 11th player should be one dream of reaching such heights in the and Isiaptana. Evidently, good teams learn from light in many an outing is Shameera Trinity College 1st XI cricket who can stand steadfastly on his own, national cricketing arena. Wijesuriya, who has a number of half playing with a straight bat. Trinity College, this year,has turned their mistakes and bounce back well, team from: which the ‘Lions’ did learn and per- tons against his name and has scored Rushan Jaleel (Captain), Mohamed It is high time we gave up the slavish out to a forceful outfit. Part of the credit over 600 runs. mentality of looking for foreign cricket for the good performances produced by formed impressively in the matches that Sajid (Vice Captain), Dilan Gangoda, followed. Off spinner, Akila Jayasundara who coaches. In fact, our coaches are in the young lads should go to their new has many years left in his schooling Kithmal Wimalaweera, Shameera demand in foreign countries! coach, Sampath Perera, who took over Skipper Jaleel, a fine all-rounder career, has had a booming season due to Wijesooriya, Akila Jayasundara, Suresh The Sri Lankan cricket coach should the reins at the commencement of the will have fond memories of the season slight changes in direction and varia- Wickrama, Niroshan Dikwella, Dinuk be one who possesses the minimum level season and to the Trinity College in his penultimate year, especially with tions. Weeraratne, Chinthaka Gokula, Dushan specified for cricket coaches, together Cricket Foundation headed by Kumar the ball. He has captured 120 wickets so This has enabled him to reach the Ranasinghe, Keheliya Atugoda, with a history of having excelled as a Sangakkara supported by some of the far and is just a few wickets away from 100 wicket mark behind his skipper, batsman and bowler, and a knowledge- finest cricketers produced by the school. being the most effective bowler of the Mohamed Shehan, Travin Ratnayake, despite missing a couple of matches due able captain, during his day. Their efforts have borne fruit this sea- season. Kavinda Jayasooriya, Thushara to an injury. Schools should be dissuaded from son under the guidance of their Acting He is capable of reaching this feat Gunatissa, Janishka Premasinghe, His figures of seven and eight and participating in six-a-side and Twenty-20 Principal, Brigadier Udaya Ariyaratne with two more matches left before they Yasiru Ratnayake, Madushan best figures of 13 for 110 against St. cricket. who himself was a fine sportsman. wrap up affairs this year. Basnayake, Sampath Perera (Head Sylvester’s College are signs of his Finally, Mahela should be persuaded The ‘Lions’, led by third-year- His best figures were against the Coach), Sajith Hirimuthugoda Royalists when he came up with a magi- immense talent. to withdraw his resignation as captain. coloursman, Rushan Jaleel have had a Suresh Wickram, in his third year, (Assistant Coach), Indrajee de Zoysa successful season with six outright vic- cal spell to capture 9 for 90. This diminu- Edmund Dissanayake, tive lad has produced several bags of six despite being a bit mediocre with the bat (Master-in-Charge). Talawatugoda.