'Blues battle' biggest social gathering

Today is the second day of the 131st Battle of the Blues cricket encounter between Royal College and S. Thomas' College. It is not just another inter-school cricket match but an annual meeting that has played a significant role in Sri Lanka cricket and an event which has turned out to be one of the most important events in the local sports calendar.

What is unique in the Battle of the Series, the second oldest inter-school cricket match in the world, is that this great series had not been disturbed by the two World Wars.

When it comes to Royal-Thomian, its totally a different culture, forgetting the rivalry and playing the game in its true spirit. Over the past 13 decades, the Battle of the Blues has made its mark as one of the biggest social gatherings in local history.

Unlike in most other sports encounters in the world, the Royal-Thomian has always been played in its true spirit in a friendly atmosphere. As taught in one of the basics in objective of sport, it's not the winning or losing that matters but how played the game.

It is exactly this vital principle that the Royalists and Thomians, young and old, and their supporters have richly practised during the past 130 years.

Ever since its inception in 1879, almost 70 years before Sri Lanka gained independence from the British, the Royal-Thomian has come a long way to be the premier inter-school cricket encounter not only in Sri Lanka but in the world too.

During the rich history of 130 long years in the Battle of the Blues, the series has produced many cricketing greats, playing a significant role in determining the destinies of Sri Lanka cricket.

Former Sri Lanka captains Ranjan Madugalle and Duleep Mendis are undoubtedly two of the greatest cricketers the Battle of the Blues series has produced.

My association with the Royal-Thomian series goes back to 1977, the year in which I had the privilege of entering the 'best school in the world' at Reid Avenue, as adjudged by a recent survey/competition by the world-renowned IT giant Microsoft.

I could still remember those memorable days we had and witnessing the Centenary Battle of the Blues in 1979 as junior schoolboys and the carnival at Royal grounds to mark the event. It was Madugalle, the current ICC Chief Match Referee, who led Royal in this 100th Royal-Thomian encounter, from which the series was 'upgraded' to be a three-day affair.

As senior prefects, led by the 'head' Ajith Pathirana, it was we who originated the Royal-Thomian prefects cricket and rugby encounters in 1985 - the 150th year of Royal College. My mind goes back to some of the greatest innings I have witnessed - a magical 197 by Sumithra Warnakulasuriya and that match-winning unbeaten 145 by Rochana Jayawardena, not forgetting the innings played by my parallels (both former Royal captains ) - Roshan Jurangpathy, the former Sri Lanka Test spinner, and Chandana Jayakody, who will be contesting the forthcoming general elections from the UPFA in Gampaha district.

My affection with Royal-Thomian became even greater when I chose a career in journalism and ever since, I have been reporting the Royal-Thomian for the Daily News for the past 23 years.

My love for sport and passion for sports writing has inspired me to continue covering the Battle of the Blues, even after I reached the pinnacle of my career by becoming the Editor-in-Chief of the flagship English newspaper in Sri Lanka - the Sunday Observer, in 2006.

The Royal-Thomian now gives me an opportunity to go back to a reporter's job even once a year.

Most Royal-Thomian games during those days were played at P. Saravanamuttu Stadium but many of us did not like the surroundings and the route we had to take to reach the oldest Test venue in Sri Lanka.

But since 1994, the Battle of the Blues has been played at the SSC grounds. Hence, this will be the 17th consecutive year that the Mecca of Sri Lanka cricket will be hosting the Royal-Thomian cricket encounter.

However, the Royal-Thomian was first played at the SSC grounds way back in 1975. Overall, the SSC has hosted 24 Royal-Thomian encounters, including the centenary encounter in 1979.

Sri Lanka's first Prime Minister D.S. Senanayake and the first executive president J. R. Jayewardene too have figured in the Battle of the Blues. Until his death, 'JR' used to grace the Royal-Thomian. Ranil Wickremesinghe too has been a regular spectator at the match when he was the Prime Minister and now as the leader of the Opposition.

Many prominent politicians take a couple of days off from their busy schedules to witness the action and also for recreation with their old schoolmates. The famous Mustangs tent is their favourite gathering place and that keeps them to the true big match atmosphere with a 'papare' band.

Politicians both in the government as well as in the Opposition will sink their differences to share the excitement that is generated at the Royal-Thomian which has turned out to be the annual meeting place for the Royalists and Thomians young and old and their supporters.

Many old boys of the two schools domiciled in different corners of the globe, make it a point to come to Sri Lanka almost every year to catch the excitement and share those glorious memories at Royal and S.Thomas'.

With a slightly better team on paper, the Reid Avenue boys are determined to level the series this time around and a clue on the outcome of the game could only be known after today's second day's play.

Of the 130 encounters played, S. Thomas' takes a lead with 34 wins to Royal's 33 with the rest drawn.

Irrespective of the outcome of the game, one thing is assured for the packed stadium, that they would enjoy a great game of cricket played in its true sprit under entertaining conditions.