Openers Johann Pieris (100th Sri Lankan Roy Tho captain & son of racing maestro David Pieris; Singapore National Player) and Shantha Jayasekera (Rohan’s brother, Canadian National player) opened for the Old Thomians and after negotiating some tricky bounce, they put on 45 runs for the 1st wicket. Johann had one glorious drive for six and Shantha played some stylish strokes before having to retire debilitated with a pinched nerve on his back for 22. Channa Karunaratne (Canadian Poolist) joined Johann but the latter soon perished nicking one behind to Rohan off Manjula Jayasundera for 17. The Royal bowlers knew their spots and kept it very tight. The Old Thomians did take advantage of the few loose deliveries but none of them were able to settle down and score at will. Rukshan Mendis lofted one way past the longest boundary but perished for a quick 16. Lakshan Liyanage (Best batsman – Thomians) made a painstaking but determined 22. Former Sri Lankan cricketing great Michael’s son Dirk Tissera was very enterprising in his knock of 22 but perished when he dared the Royalists to catch a skier. Channa Karunaratne scored 22, Ryan Jayatileke got 17. However… the last 3 batsmen (Pujitha, Lalindra and George) struggled against the spin maestro – Aravinthan Wijayachandran (Best bowler – Royalists). He was up to the task and he was not to be denied this year. In past encounters, Royalist captains have baffled the masses by not entrusting more overs to Wijay. Rohan Jayasekera did and it paid rich dividends. His 4 for 31 stifled the slog overs of the Old Thomians and they ended their innings meekly at 169 for 9 in 40 overs.
The lunch saw the 2nd Annual Ladies, 7-a-side, 5 over challenge for the Adore Travels Trophy. Thomian Ladies Captain – Jeanie Mather (nee Page) won the toss and batted. Of the Thomian Ladies score of 54 for 2, Jeanie had 36 with 4 of them in sixes!!! She was one explosive cricketer as she slammed the Royal Ladies to all parts of the ground with husband Jonathan proudly cheering. The other Thomian Ladies lent their might. 2nd year “colorswoman” & last year’s captain Sonali Perera (nee Atapattu) 9 not out with 2 boundaries, Yeni Atapattu 0 not out, Shehani Peiris (nee De Silva) retired 3, Ruth Moonesinghe (nee Williams or Ebert – writer’s block) 1, Miss Sirimanne (Krishan’s daughter) did not bat, Miss Goonetileke (Sri Lanka Delight proprietor Mahen’s daughter) did not bat, and the sole son (one per team) – Dimi Kumarage (Son of Sriyal – Adore Travels co-chief) 5 with one boundary. If I missed or messed any names, please excuse and forgive.
The Royal Ladies were not allowed runs initially with all of the Thomian Ladies fielding brilliantly with gasping stops by the boundary. The Royalist Ladies captain Ianthi Meepe had other ideas, as she single handedly smashed the Thomian bowlers powerfully and almost saw the Royalists through. Sonali Perera and Jeanie Mather combined to stifle her and Ianthi’s 30 not out was not enough to prevent the Thomian Ladies emerging victorious by 10 runs. The Royalist Ladies were helped by many… and once again please excuse my writers block in incorrectly recalling names and messing them up! Sharmini Wijayachandran, Sadhana, Gayani, Saumya and others did their best and more! Sharmini was a top class over arm bowler but the Thomian Ladies were up to their task. Ianthi Meepe bowled superbly and batted even better but could not repeat their success as in the inaugural game last year. This Ladies game will be a top draw affair next year with… hopefully a 7-10 over game (per side) with a full squad of 11 representing both sides.
Soon after the Ladies game, the Old Thomians took the field quite determined to peg back the Royalists. Pujitha De Silva (5 for 33; Best bowler - Thomians) was on fire on this cloudy day! He bowled with much cunning and pace so much that some visitors were misinformed/confounded that Brett Lee was appearing for the Old Thomians!!! He first had Peshan Wadanaarachchi out and then had the Rohan Jayasekera plumb in front of the wicket – only to have umpire Reuben Arthur disallow it! The very next delivery Rohan stepped out and was adjudged lbw to a ball that might have missed the stumps. Since we do not have replays and camera equipment, we accept the umpire’s word… although certain sections of Royalists disagreed. The other initial Thomian bowlers were circumspect and runs flowed before stinginess set in.
While the game was being fought earnestly, there was the first ever tug of war between the Royal and Thomian supporters. The Thomians led by burly former Rugby great Charith Wikkremetileke had much muscle on their side with “dining hall-rice-fed” Thomians relishing to tug the “canteen-gourmet food fed” Old Royalists - double the distance required. The Old Royalists were led by that wise President – Prasanna. The best of 3 tugs were won easily by the Old Thomians in 2 consecutive sessions. The crowd enjoyed every minute of it.
It was back to the game where the Old Royalists suddenly found things tough with Romesh Weerackoon and other recognized batsmen back in the pavilion at 105 for 7. However, former Royal Captain Ruchira Jayasuriya (Best Royal batsman and Man of the Match) had other ideas as he batted patiently for a superb 60 not out. He could not have steered the old Royalists if not for 2 crucial partnerships with Johan Muller (26) and Hasitha Gooneratne (11 not out) Ruchira and Muller put on 40 for the 8th wicket and the 9th wicker pair had an unbroken 25… to lead the Royalists to a truly fantastic and tense 2 wicket victory even though they had almost 3 overs to spare.
The Old Thomians fought well, but lacked that extra oomph to push the Old Royalists over the edge. The Royalists on the other hand played brilliant cricket when fielding and almost gave it away when batting! However, that gentleman of cricketers – Ruchira once again delighted this old Thomian and many others with his level headed approach to wrest the cup away from the Old Thomians and bring the Old Royalists victory in this the 20th encounter. The tally now stands at 13 to 7 in favor of the Old Thomians.
While the game was being fought out in the middle, the kids had a 3 round putting (golf) contest and it has now been decided that the next year’s 21st cricket encounter be complimented by “Roy Tho Games.” The Ladies cricket challenge, will be accompanied by a Vintage men’s challenge. There will be tugs of war, putting contests, Roy Tho quiz and probably some relay challenges…. ending with a joint social for alumni and families of these two top institutions of Sri Lanka.
Ranesh “the voice” Peiris
Deshan Attapatu presents the trophy to Royal
Captain
Photo: Rashantha De Silva pinturu.com
Photo: Rashantha De Silva pinturu.com