Thomians out to regain Mustangs Trophy

S Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia will be determined to regain the Mustangs Trophy when they confront traditional rivals Royal College in their annual limited over match to be played at SSC grounds, Maitland Place today.

Royal are the holders of the trophy having emerged victorious by five wickets (2009) and 133 runs (2010) but face a fierce challenge from the Thomians who last won the trophy in 2008 by edging out Royal by two wickets at the Sara Stadium.

Of the 35 matches played in the series Royal have won 18 while Thomians have triumphed 16 times with the 2002 match ending in a tie.

Both teams field formidable batting line ups but where the Thomians have a distinct advantage is in fielding having given a fine display in the Big Match. Royal's ground fielding and catching left much to be desired and they will have to give a much better display if they hope to make it three in a row today.

Skipper Ramith Rambukwella who top scored for his school with 83 and 79 in the Big Match, Sri Lanka Under-19 skipper Bhanuka Rajapakse, Varuna Dissanayake, Supun Subasinghe, Imal Liyanage (who has scored 971 runs this year), Milan Abeysekera and 17 year old fresher Heshan Kumarasiri (who reached the 1,000-run mark with four centuries) will provide the batting sparkle for Royal.

The experienced Nuwan Kavinda (who passed the 1,000-run mark during the Big Match), skipper Chamod Pathirana, Asiri Wickremanayake, Kavindu Perera, Javed Bongso and vice captain Sachin Peiris (who scored an elegant 77 not out) will provide the batting sparkle for the Thomians.