St John's and Panadura Royal clash on March 15 and 16

The annual 21st big match between St John's College, Panadura and Royal College, Panadura for the 'Battle of the Greens' will be worked off on 15th and 16th of March 2013, at Panadura Esplanade and the Limited over match will be played on the same venue on 17th March 2013.

Royal College, Panadura cricket team Seated (from left) H.A. Sumith Prasanna (MIC and Coach), Yasith Chamod, Damindu Ashanb, Madava Nimesh, Thenuka Dananjaya (Captain), H. Sarathchandra Silva (Principal), Dulith Gayan (Vice Captain), Ashan Padmakumara Akila Lakshan, Asitha Fernando, T.W. Mahindara (Present of Games). Standing (from left) Ravin Lakshan, Pavan Edirisinghe, Deshan Sandeepa, Rusiru Ravisanka, Nimesha Ranganath, Vimukthi Madushan, Hasitha Dananjaya, Pathum Nirmal, Hashan Vimukthi, Bashitha Lakshan, Gihan Sudarshan.

St. John’s College cricket team Seated (from left) Ushantha Gunarathne (Senior Coach), Traindu Rusith, Chamila Janaka, Lahiru Sanjaya (Captain), Sarath Pemsiri (Prefect of games), M.N.H.T.P. De Silva (Principal), K. Siripala (MIC), Pramoda Madushanka (Vice Capitan), Akila Shayaminda, Vidura Sapumal, Erajga Gunaratne (Junior Coach). Standing (from left) Sanju Maheesha, Nadun Dharshana, Harsha Chandrashan, Sithum Prmaod, Yasiru Navoid, Kavindu Hashan, Nuwan Lakshan, Sandika Dilruksha, Thanuja Akalanka, Rusiru Sanjaya, Malith Madushanka, Thimira Sudeepa, Gihan Anuradha, Danusha Deshan (Picture by Dilwin Mendis Moratuwa Sports Correspondent).

Out of the twenty encounters so far played Panadura Royalists are leading with four and Johnians one and rest were drawn.

This encounter is the brain child of former member for Parliament for Panadura Mervyn Joseph Cooray and the inaugural match was played in 1992.

St Johns has a proud history not only in education but in the sphere of sports and especially cricket. Prince of Wales have commenced playing have met Johnians for the first time and St Johns have beaten Cambrians by innings and eleven runs. The scores being Prince of Wales 35 and 49 and St Johns 95 and this year Cambrians have played against Royal, St Thomas' and St Johns. Later due to unforeseen reasons Johnians cricket had ups and downs and it is good that the Present Principal M N H T P de Silva taking a keen interest to bring the past glory.

In the other hand Royalists are too coming up and there is so many achievements and records under their belt with producing cricketers any so many level and special mention should be made of their only Test and ODI player Chamara Silva. Their Present Principal H Sarathchandra Silva is taking every effort to uplift the standard of cricket at Royal with the help of master-in-charge and coach Sumith Prasanna, the prefect of games T W Mahindarathne, old boys and the parents.

Incidently when Royalists commenced cricket H Sarathchandra Silva was the master-in-charge of cricket.

This year Panadura Royal has played ten matches and they are unbeaten and they have registered four outrights and beat formidable Ananda, St Benedicts and Dharmarajah on first innings. In the meantime Johnians have played 13 won eight and lost five matches.

They are coached by Ushan Gunarathne and their deputy coach is Eranga Gunarathne while the master-in-charge is K Siripala.

The Royal team will be led by fifth year coloursman and left arm leg spinner Tharaka Dananjaya and his deputy will be Dulith Gayan while Lahiru Sanjaya will lead the Johnians with Promoda Madushanka as his deputy.

Royal team consists of experienced players like the wicket keeper and and opening bat Damindu Ashan, Madava Nimesh, Akila Lakshan, Yasith Promod, Ashan Padmakumara and Asitha Fernando.

Johnians are strengthen with Harsha Chandranath Salgado, Chamila Janaka and Nadun Darshana.

Few freshers will be an asset to the skipper. Two of their cricketers have represented Sri Lanka in Tests and ODI's and they are Ravindra Pushpakumara and Charitha Buddhika.