Old Royalists representing the UK Alumni association (ORAUK) went on to win the Royal-Thomian game, Royal Thomian over-40 game and the Festival of Cricket (the main cricket event among Sri Lanka schools in the UK), thereby winning the triple once again.
The Royal-Thomian game was held at Richmond Cricket Club on July 17. The event was once again organized with the usual fanfare this year, hosted by ORAUK, however with the usual cordial support from Old Thomians Association, UK (OTAUK). The day turned out to be a massive success with large number of Thomians, Royalists and their friends enjoying a great day.
The success of the event was largely due to the brotherly relationship both associations have been enjoying and continuing under the current leadership of Dimuthu Ratnayake (President OTAUK) and Sujith Wijesena (President ORAUK).
The games were keenly contested in the true Royal Thomian spirit.
The Thomians won the toss and scored 188 in 40 overs. The Thomian score was propped up by Nirru (former Thomian skipper Nirrushan Raveenthiraraja) and coloursman Yohan Mendis who went on to score 68 runs.
Last year’s Royal paceman Sonal Amerasekera grabbed the bowling honours, well supported by the spinners Malinda Thotiwilage, Heshan Morawake and skipper Pasindu (Chamikara) Jayasekera.
In return, Malinda Thotiwilage once more steadied the Royal innings, after few initial scares well supported by Sameera Perera and the skipper in the end, who put on an unbeaten partnership to win the game. For Thomians, 15 year old school boy, Chrishen Warnasuriya bowled a fantastic spell of left arm spin, taking 3/28, impressing everyone present at the game. Malinda was awarded the Man of the Match trophy for his all-round effort.
The over-40 game was well contested too. It was good to see Johann Peiris (Thomian skipper of the Centenary Royal Thomian) and Romesh de Silva (deputy to Ranjan Madugalle in the 99th Roy-Thomian) taking part in the game.
The Thomians won the toss and batted again, scoring 108 runs off 15 overs, with Michael Arnold top scoring for them. For Royal, Dr. Krishantha Jayasinghearachchi took the bowling honours taking three wickets. In return, Royal had a solid opening stand between Dr Hemantha Abeywickrema (27 runs) and Hemantha Edirisooriya (50 not out), well supported in the end by a quickfire 25 runs from Dr. Krishantha Jayasinghearachchi, who had a memorable game with both bat and ball. Hemantha Edirisooriya was awarded the Man of the Match trophy for his batting effort.
Week before the Royal Thomian, the Festival of Cricket was held in London on July 10. On their way to the finals, the Royalists got the better of the strong Nalanda side, St. Thomas, Matale and St. Aloysius, Galle. In the second round, they went on to beat Dharmashoka and Prince of Wales and qualified for the final against St Joseph’s.
Over the last five FOC events, Royal reached the final on two occasions, losing out narrowly to St Peter’s and St Joseph’s. Surprisingly this time, the final was a lop-sided affair with Royal completely dominating the Joes. Batting first the strong SJC side only 34 runs and the bowling honours for Royal shared by Sonal Amerasekera and Malinda Thotiwilage. In return Royal openers Malinda Thotiwilage and Hashen Ramanayake easily finished the game in three overs. Sonal was awarded the Man of the Match trophy for his bowling effort.
SCORES:
STC 188 all out (Nirrushan Raveenthiraraja 45, Yohan Mendis 68, Sonal Amerasekera 3/22, Heshan Morawake 2/13, Pasindu Jayasekera 2/31, Malinda Thotiwilage 2/39)
RC 192/6 (Malinda Thotiwilage 63, Roanaka Ahangamage 17, Sameera Perera 25 no, Pasindu Jayasekera 29 no, Nirrushan Raveenthiraraja 2/55, Chrishen Warnasuriya 3/28)