Matara's 109th Battle of the Blues from March 20 to 22 :

St. Thomas and St. Servatius out to bring about a decision

A.W. Gunawardhana Matara Central Corr.

The annual cricket encounter between St. Thomas College, Matara and St. Servatius College, Matara will commence on March 20, 2009 and will continue till March 22 at the Uyanwatte Stadium, Matara.

This annual event is considered to the greatest one celebrated to the city of Matara by the young and old alike.

The two colleges situated in the heart of the town are the oldest educational institutions in the Southern Province. Of the 108 encounters played so far 32 have been won by St. Thomas and 27 matches were won by St. Servatius.

The last victory of this annual match was recorded by St. Servatius in the year 1971 - 38 years ago, while Thomians had their last success in the year 2007. (107th encounter).

In the year 1988 Sanath Jayasuriya captained his alma-mater another member of the Sri Lanka cricket team Indika de Saram captained St. Thomas in the year 1994. Both games captained by these two ended in tame draws.

Both Colleges have produced test players, Sanath Jayasuriya, Ruchira Palliyaguru and Tharanga Lakshitha from St. Servatius while Indika de Saram Prabath Nissanka and Rasika Piyadarshana from St. Thomas.

The highest individual score of the series 207 not out scored by Servatian Gratiaen Liyanage in 1982 still remains as the "Big Match" record and Uyanwatte stadium record.

St. Thomas' played 12 games during this season and registered eight first innings wins three matches were won outright and one match lost.

St. Servatius played 12 games during this season and registered six first innings wins, three lost and others ended in draws. As both teams are equally balanced the likely result expected is a draw. This encounter is being played as a three day game since the year 2000 - the centenary year.

The 09th limited overs match between these two colleges will be played on March 28th at 10 a.m. at the same venue.

St. Thomas -

The Thomians are captained by 4th year coloursman - Madunka Ekanayake opening right arm medium pacer who opens the bowling, and reliable middle order batsman.

Asantha Sameera (vice captain) 3rd year coloursman who represents Matara SC. He is the opening batsman of the team.

Nipun Ranga Jayaweera 2nd year coloursman- Janitha Ranasingha 2nd year coloursman. Middle order batsman. He is keeping wickets as well.

Kasun Attanayake 3rd year coloursman who represent Matara SC too. He has scored 3 half centuries this season. Dinusha Jayasanka is a fresher right hand batsman.

Nisal Ranasingha, Jayanga Nirman de Silva, Ashan Ranasingha, Asanka Iudupushpa and Suresh Kumara all are freshers.

St. Servatius

Servatians are led by Chathura Jayan 3rd year coloursman and a useful right hand batsman and bowls occasional right arm-leg spinners and a fine fielder. He has captured ten wickets and scored 457 runs this season.

Ayesh Dilanka (Vice Captain) - 4th year coloursman left hand batsman and a good fielder.

He has scored 250 runs this season.

Ocean Kalhara - 4th year coloursman and right hand batsman. He is a good fielder too.

Sanidu Keshawa - 3rd year coloursman opening batsman and the wicket keeper of the team.

U.H. Ashan - 3rd year coloursman all rounder. He has scored 525 runs in this season. Tharidu Dharshana - 2nd year coloursman opening bowler. He has captured 25 wickets and scored 340 runs in this season.

Lahiru Kokila - 3rd year coloursman - bats right hand and bowls right-arm medium pacers and a good fielder.

Kasun Madusanka, Insam Mohammed, Nimantha Madusanka and Gihan Nimsara are the freshers of the side.

St. Thomas are coached by Charitha Palliyage and Sisira Weerasingha is master-in-charge.

St. Servatius are coached by P.B. Buddhika and Yeshika Saman Kumara is Master-in-Charge.