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Sports

Both teams at full strength
By Bernie Wijesekera
Cricket enthusiasm again will run high in cricket crazy Sri Lanka with the 125th anniversary encounter between Royal and S. Thomas' played on March 11, 12 and 13, at the SSC grounds. It's the only three-day game in the schools cricket calendar. The stage is set for an absorbing contest.

On paper both teams have not performed well this season. Royal led by allrounder, Taraka Kottehewa is fortunate to have last year's most successful batsman at the 'Blues Battle' Ganganath Ratnayake. Ratnayake could not represent his school much due to national duty (Under-19 team). Ratnayake missed most part of the season along with Thomian skipper Kaushal Silva, a prolific run-getter and V. Balasubramaniam (the right-arm leggie). They were members of the national U-19 team.

Royal has played 17 games todate with an outright win over Dharmapala. They have won eight games on the first innings over Dharmasoka, Thurstan, St. Benedict's, St. Anthony's, Nalanda, Richmond, Mahinda, Wesley and no decision against St. Sebastian's. They suffered outright defeats against St. Joseph's and Prince of Wales. Lost on the first innings to Ananda, St. Peter's, Dharmarajah, Isipatana and Trinity.

The Reid Avenue School's batting has tremendous depth, but they have failed to prove their natural ability due to lack of concentration. Pencil-slim Naveen Dias leads the way with 1014 runs with two 'tons' - 162 n.o., against St. Anthony's and 122 n.o., against Isipatana. Besides he has five 50s to this credit - best 85 vs. Wesley. Dhanushka Eddusuriya has amassed 750 runs. Batting at No. 5, he has shown up well under pressure.

He has scored runs against 67 (Ananda), 83 (Dharmapala), 79 (St. Benedict's, 80 (Mahinda). Allrounder Heshan Morawake, a left-handed batsman and a wily left-arm spinner. He has scored 550 runs with a defiant 106 against St. Sebastian's and has two 5 wicket hauls against Mahinda 5 for 33 and 5 for 37 against Wesley.

Lanky Nadun Punchihewa, a left-arm dual purpose bowler, has been among the wickets - with 50 scalps. He bowled Royal to their solitary outright win over Dharmapala. He will open the attack with strongly built Chathuranga Somapala. Besides the opening bowlers fresher Dulanjaya Wijeratne, is a promising off-spinner.

Dimitri Siriwardene, a fresher with tremendous potential probably will open batting with Heshan Morawake, according to coach Nalliah Devarajan. A solid batsman was a member of the Under-17 national team.

Wicket-keeper, Janith Jayawardena is a sound batsman. Coach Devarajan said "we will play positive cricket. I am confident despite early setbacks. The boys are determined to deliver the goods. They have improved all round. But cricket is a funny game, the result is not known until the last ball is bowled. We don't believe in negative cricket. A three-day game has been brought about to make it result-oriented".

The Thomians this season suffered a couple of hiccups losing badly to Isipatana and Prince of Wales (outright). Also lost on the first innings to Dharmaraja, D.S. Senanayake M.V., St. Sebastian's, Ananda, St. Benedict's, St. Peter's, Wesley and St. Joseph's Darley Road. They won on the first innings against Richmond, Thurstan, Nalanda, and won outright over Dharmapala and Mahinda.

It's not a healthy record to crow about. But the Thomians are quite used to facing setbacks on and off the field. They have maintained their dignity and has punched gaping holes when they confront their arch-rivals Royal. They are confident of achieving it in the 125th anniversary game, said diminutive skipper Kaushal Silva. A third-year coloursman, a right-hand wicket-keeper batsman bats No. 4. His best effort is 129 against Nalanda. A mild-mannered player he said "the team is at full strength and will play the game hard and in the right spirit. No let up. It's always better to take the field as underdogs" he said whilst training at the SSC grounds.

There is batting upto No. 9. Five freshers are in the side. Openers, both left-handers, Navin Perera and Isuru Warnakulasuriya, the pair has scored over 650 runs. Allrounder Sanjeev Mendis, a middle- order bat has made over 600 runs and a right-arm fast bowler. He has been among the wickets. He has matured into a useful allrounder, Pramuditha Rodrigo is another useful allrounder. A middle-order bat, an effective medium pacer, who has captured 48 wickets todate.

Dhanushka Colombage, a right-arm off spinner, stubborn middle order bat and a fine fielder. Fresher Ashan Peiris, bats at No. 3. He has scored over 500 runs and is also a right arm fast bowler.

The bowling has variety. Nigel Adams (fresher) will spearhead the attack with Rodrigo. Both are quite accurate and will be supported by Sanjev Mendis and Kularatne.

Wrist-spinner V. Balasubramaniam, one of the best in the schools could bowl to a nagging line. He has improved the trade much with the assistance coming from national coach (spin) D.S. de Silva and Ranil Abeynaike.

According to Abeynaike, the team has moulded themselves to a well-oiled outfit for the big match a7nd have built their confidence with the return of the two seniors Kaushal and 'Bala'. The fielding is good, the bowling is adequate and the batting though they lack big names, but could wield the willow with gusto. They have the niche to make it a good contest. The Thomians last won in 1999.

Former Royal-Thomian cricketers dinner
Former Royal and Thomian cricketers will be gathering at a formal dinner on 10th March at the Hotel Taj Samudra from 7.30 pm onwards. This annual gathering by the old stalwarts, that too before the Battle of the Blues, is a much looked forward event among the old cricketers of the two institutions.

This traditional dinner will bring back nostalgic memories of the "Good Old Days". The likes of Bertie Wijesinghe, brothers Ronnie and Bradman Weerakoon, C.I. Gunasekera, Channa Gunasekera, Mahes Rodrigo, Gamini Salgado, P.I. Peiris, Anura Tennakoon, Neil Chanmugam, Michael Tissera, Duleep Mendis, Vijaya Malalasekera, Ranjan Madugalle, Asantha De Mel, Sumitra Warnakulasuriya, Sudath Pasquel, Manoj Mendis, Anura Gunawardena, Rochana Jayawardena, Naren Ratwatte, Malinda Thotiwilage to name a few who are expected to attend this inspirational gathering of Blue & Gold and Blue & Black stalwarts.

Those, who are interested to attend this dinner should contact: Neil Chanmugam - Tel: (O) 2698908, Ajita Pasqual - Tel: (O) 2456777, Lakshman Thalayasingham - Tel: (O) 2448306, Trevor Rajaratnam - Tel: (O) 2421547, Sashi Ganeshan - Tel: (O) 2300750, Anushka Polonnowita - Tel: (H) 2695527, Manoj Mendis - Tel: (O) 2300750, Anura Gunawardena - Tel: (O) 2456823, Michael Jayasekera - Tel: (O) 2446591 ext. 8371, Mahinda Halangoda - Tel: 0777 763606.

Tickets will also be available at the dinner. 125th Royal Thomian over forties & fifties game. The above two matches will be played on 7th of March at the CCC grounds, commencing at 9.30 a.m.

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