Battle of the Blues (Colombo): Difference between revisions

Battle of the Blues
Countries	Sri Lanka
Format	Test and One-Day
First edition	1879
Latest edition	2024
Next edition	2025
Number of teams	Royal College, Colombo ; S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia
Current champion	Royal College, Colombo
Most successful	Royal College, Colombo (36 titles) S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia (36 titles)
	144th Battle of the Blues

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The Battle of the Blues (Also known as Royal–Thomian Cricket Encounter) is an annual Big Match in Sri Lanka played between Royal College, Colombo and S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia since 1879. It is known as The Battle of the Blues due to the colours of the two school's flags i.e. blue, gold and blue of Royal College and blue, black and blue of S. Thomas' College.

History

The original match was played between the Colombo Academy and S. Thomas' College, Mutwal in 1879, with schoolmasters and schoolboys participating. Mr. Ashley Walker captained the Colombo Academy while Rev. S. J. Meyrick, a member of the staff played for S. Thomas' College, Mutwal. This encounter is not considered the first match as Masters played for both sides.^[1]^[2]^[3]^[4]^[5]^[6]

In 1880, only the students took part and this first official encounter between the Colombo Academy and S. Thomas' College, Mutwal in Modara was played at Galle Face Grounds, which is today the site of the Taj Samudra Hotel. The match commenced at 4.00 p.m. each day. The Beira Lake stretched up to the present railway line close to San Sebastian Hill and the two teams rowed across in boats to the Galle Face Grounds. The Academy made 110 in the first inning; and St. Thomas' 59. In the second innings the Academy made 35 and St. Thomas' 24.^[7] J. W. de Silva was the Academy captain and F. W. McDonnell the Thomian captain.^[8] In this first encounter Colombo Academy won by 62 runs.^[9]^[10]^[11]^[12]^[13]

At present, the match is played between Royal College, Colombo which is a public non-denominational school accommodating approximately 8,500 students and S. Thomas' College, Mt Lavinia which is a private Anglican school that has about 2500 boys on roll and a branch network of three constituent colleges with a total of over 5,500 students. It was the first schoolboy cricket match in Sri Lanka to be played over three days.

The Royal-Thomian is the second-longest uninterrupted Cricket series in the entire world, preceded only by the Cricket Intercol played between Prince Alfred College, Adelaide and St. Peter's College, Adelaide, whose first match was played in 1878.^[14]

Shield

This match is played for the prestigious D. S. Senanayake Memorial Shield. Incidentally, Rt. Hon. D. S. Senanayake, who became the first Prime Minister of Independent Ceylon, donned the Thomian cap in 1901 and 1902. This shield was first presented in 1928. If a match is drawn then the school already holding the shield retains it. Royal College is the current holder of the shield after winning the 144th Battle of the Blues in 2023.

Atmosphere

The "Battle of the Blues" is filled with pageantry, with decorated tents, flags and baila singing and dancing groups present all around the city and the ground itself during the match days and in the days leading up to it. The match is held on a Thursday, Friday and Saturday. By tradition, the schools are closed on match days to allow students to attend the Big Match. Souvenirs published by both the schools are sold on all three days, the duty of distribution entrusted to the souvenir committees. On the day before the match, the students of each school take a walk around the city in a "cycle parade" with bands and decorations and other colourful items showing support for their team. Overloaded cars with supporters singing and careering along the Colombo streets is a familiar sight during match days.

The match is looked forward to by both the young and old, male and female, and even those who have no connection with either school turn up and enjoy the celebrations. It is more of an occasion for the old boys and present students of both schools coming together for three days of revelry. It is quite normal to see elderly alumni from either school coming to the "Big Match" to relive old times and meet old friends. Some expatriates choose this time of year to return to Sri Lanka in order to relive their old school days.

A Royal flag at the 128th Royal-Thomian
A Thomian flag at the 129th Royal-Thomian

Venues

Galle Face Grounds (Home of Colombo Cricket Club) - 1880, 1882 to 1891, 1893, 1894, 1897, 1899, 1912
Gordon Gardens - 1881
Nomads Cricket Club (NCC) Grounds, Victoria Park - 1892
CCC Grounds, Maitland Crescent - 1895 to 1896, 1898, 1900 to 1911
Campbell Park - 1913 to 1915, 1917
NCC Grounds, Maitland Crescent - 1916, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1939, 1941
Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) Grounds, Victoria Park (current NCC grounds) - 1918 to 1934, 1938, 1940, 1942, 1944, 1946, 1948
Colombo Oval - 1943, 1945, 1947, 1949 to 1974, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1986 to 1988, 1991, 1992, 1993
SSC Grounds, Maitland Place - 1975, 1976, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1985, 1989, 1990, 1994 to Present

Notable people who have played in the Royal Thomian Cricket Match

Source:^[15]

Royalists

Thomians

References

^ We will learn of books and men and learn to play the game
^ Unique stamp for a unique event
^ "Battle of the Blues". Archived from the original on 2014-04-27. Retrieved 2013-05-28.
^ "S. Thomas' College" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-04-26. Retrieved 2013-05-28.
^ Oldest Thomian Cricketer late Punchi Banda (Artie) Lankatilleke - JP
^ "A Tribute to C.E.L. ("Kalla") De Silva on his 100th Birth Anniversary". Archived from the original on 2014-04-26. Retrieved 2013-05-28.
^ "The Royal-Thomian spectacle: Potted history of the series | Daily FT". www.ft.lk. Retrieved 2020-01-17.
^ Colombo, Royal College (25 December 2012). "Cricket | Royal College". Retrieved 2020-01-17.
^ Ranjan Madugalle, A fine Cricketing Ambassador
^ So, Royal really lost 1885 match to S. Thomas'
^ The College History
^ OBA History
^ The Royal – Thmian - 130 Years on
^ Thornton, Katharine (2010). The messages of its walls and fields : a history of St Peter's College, 1847 to 2009. Wakefield Press. p. 63. ISBN 9781862549227.
^ The Royal Thomian Derby Archived June 16, 2008, at the Wayback Machine

External links

Official Royal Thomian Website
Multimedia coverage
Open Forum Archived 2011-07-08 at the Wayback Machine
The Royal–Thomian – 130 years on: The Battle of the Blues Steeped in tradition
Big Matches at ThePapare.com

[1] We will learn of books and men and learn to play the game

[2] Unique stamp for a unique event

[3] "Battle of the Blues". Archived from the original on 2014-04-27. Retrieved 2013-05-28.

[4] "S. Thomas' College" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-04-26. Retrieved 2013-05-28.

[5] Oldest Thomian Cricketer late Punchi Banda (Artie) Lankatilleke - JP

[6] "A Tribute to C.E.L. ("Kalla") De Silva on his 100th Birth Anniversary". Archived from the original on 2014-04-26. Retrieved 2013-05-28.

[7] "The Royal-Thomian spectacle: Potted history of the series | Daily FT". www.ft.lk. Retrieved 2020-01-17.

[8] Colombo, Royal College (25 December 2012). "Cricket | Royal College". Retrieved 2020-01-17.

[9] Ranjan Madugalle, A fine Cricketing Ambassador

[10] So, Royal really lost 1885 match to S. Thomas'

[11] The College History

[12] OBA History

[13] The Royal – Thmian - 130 Years on

[14] Thornton, Katharine (2010). The messages of its walls and fields : a history of St Peter's College, 1847 to 2009. Wakefield Press. p. 63. ISBN 9781862549227.

[royalthomian-15] The Royal Thomian Derby Archived June 16, 2008, at the Wayback Machine

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[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

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[14]

[15]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Other uses|Battle of the Blues (disambiguation){{!}}Battle of the Blues}}
 {{short description|Annual School Cricket Match Series}}
+{{Infobox cricket tournament main
-{{redirect|Battle of the Blues}}{{Infobox cricket tournament main|name=Battle of the Blues|country=[[Sri Lanka]]|cricket format=[[Test cricket|Test]] and [[One-Day cricket|One-Day]]|first=1879|last=[[2023 Big Matches|2023]]|next=[[2024 Big Matches|2024]]|participants=[[Royal College, Colombo]]<br>[[S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia]]|TV=[[Dialog TV]]|current=[[2023 Big Matches|144th Battle of the Blues]]|website=[http://www.thepapare.com ThePapare.com]}}
+| name = Battle of the Blues
+| country = [[Sri Lanka]]
+| cricket format = [[Test cricket|Test]] and [[One-Day cricket|One-Day]]
+| first = 1879
+| last = [[2024 Big Matches|2024]]
+| next = [[2025 Big Matches|2025]]
+| participants = [[Royal College, Colombo]] <br> [[S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia]]
+| champions = [[Royal College, Colombo]]
+| most successful = [[Royal College, Colombo]] (36 titles)
+[[S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia]] (36 titles)
+| most runs =
+| most wickets =
+| current = 144th Battle of the Blues
+| website =
+}}
 The '''Battle of the Blues''' (Also known as '''Royal–Thomian Cricket Encounter''') is an annual [[Big Match]] in [[Sri Lanka]] played between [[Royal College, Colombo]] and [[S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia]] since 1879. It is known as ''The Battle of the Blues'' due to the colours of the two school's flags i.e. ''blue'', gold and ''blue'' of Royal College and ''blue'', black and ''blue'' of S. Thomas' College.
 == History ==
-The original match was played between the [[Royal College, Colombo|Colombo Academy]] and [[S. Thomas' College, Mutwal]] in 1879, with schoolmasters and schoolboys participating. Mr. Ashley Walker captained the Colombo Academy while Rev. S. J. Meyrick, a member of the staff played for [[S. Thomas' College, Mutwal]]. This encounter is not considered the first match as Masters played for both sides.<ref>[http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=56783 We will learn of books and men and learn to play the game]</ref><ref>[http://www.sundaytimes.lk/040222/funday/4.html Unique stamp for a unique event]</ref><ref>[http://www.royalthomian.info/articles_pages/STC-04/The%20Royal%20Thomian%20-%20125%20years.html Battle of the Blues]</ref><ref>[http://www.thesundayleader.lk/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/28-29-Review-Page2.pdf S. Thomas' College]</ref><ref>[http://www.island.lk/2003/05/12//sports04.html Oldest Thomian Cricketer late Punchi Banda (Artie) Lankatilleke - JP]</ref><ref>[http://www.royalthomian.info/articles_pages/STC-02/CEL%20Kalla%20de%20Silva1.html A Tribute to C.E.L. ("Kalla") De Silva on his 100th Birth Anniversary]</ref>
+The original match was played between the [[Royal College, Colombo|Colombo Academy]] and [[S. Thomas' College, Mutwal]] in 1879, with schoolmasters and schoolboys participating. Mr. Ashley Walker captained the Colombo Academy while Rev. S. J. Meyrick, a member of the staff played for [[S. Thomas' College, Mutwal]]. This encounter is not considered the first match as Masters played for both sides.<ref>[http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=56783 We will learn of books and men and learn to play the game]</ref><ref>[http://www.sundaytimes.lk/040222/funday/4.html Unique stamp for a unique event]</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.royalthomian.info/articles_pages/STC-04/The%20Royal%20Thomian%20-%20125%20years.html |title=Battle of the Blues |access-date=2013-05-28 |archive-date=2014-04-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427010118/http://www.royalthomian.info/articles_pages/STC-04/The%20Royal%20Thomian%20-%20125%20years.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.thesundayleader.lk/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/28-29-Review-Page2.pdf |title=S. Thomas' College |access-date=2013-05-28 |archive-date=2014-04-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140426234458/http://www.thesundayleader.lk/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/28-29-Review-Page2.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>[http://www.island.lk/2003/05/12//sports04.html Oldest Thomian Cricketer late Punchi Banda (Artie) Lankatilleke - JP]</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.royalthomian.info/articles_pages/STC-02/CEL%20Kalla%20de%20Silva1.html |title=A Tribute to C.E.L. ("Kalla") De Silva on his 100th Birth Anniversary |access-date=2013-05-28 |archive-date=2014-04-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140426235214/http://www.royalthomian.info/articles_pages/STC-02/CEL%20Kalla%20de%20Silva1.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
-In 1880, only the students took part and this first official encounter between the Colombo Academy and [[S. Thomas' College, Mutwal]] in [[Modara]] was played at Galle Face Grounds, which is today the site of the [[Taj Samudra]] Hotel. The match commenced at 4.00 p.m. each day. The Beira Lake stretched up to the present railway line close to San Sebastian Hill and the two teams rowed across in boats to the Galle Face Grounds. The Academy made 110 in the first inning; and St. Thomas' 59. In the second innings the Academy made 35 and St. Thomas' 24.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ft.lk/sports/The-Royal-Thomian-spectacle--Potted-history-of-the-series/23-674079|title=The Royal-Thomian spectacle: Potted history of the series {{!}} Daily FT|website=www.ft.lk|language=English|access-date=2020-01-17}}</ref> J. W. de Silva was the Academy captain and F. W. McDonnell the Thomian captain.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://royalcollege.lk/pages/life-at-royal/sports/cricket/|title=Cricket {{!}} Royal College|last=Colombo|first=Royal College|date=25 December 2012|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-17}}</ref> In this first encounter Colombo Academy won by 62 runs.<ref>[http://www.dailynews.lk/2011/06/11/spo26.asp Ranjan Madugalle, A fine Cricketing Ambassador]</ref><ref>[http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2004/02/01/spo08.html So, Royal really lost 1885 match to S. Thomas'] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605113817/http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2004/02/01/spo08.html |date=2011-06-05 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.stcmloba.org/the-college-history/ The College History]</ref><ref>[http://www.stcmloba.org/the-oba-history/The OBA History]</ref><ref>[http://www.sundaytimes.lk/090308/Sports/sp206.html The Royal – Thmian - 130 Years on]</ref>
+In 1880, only the students took part and this first official encounter between the Colombo Academy and [[S. Thomas' College, Mutwal]] in [[Modara]] was played at Galle Face Grounds, which is today the site of the [[Taj Samudra]] Hotel. The match commenced at 4.00 p.m. each day. The Beira Lake stretched up to the present railway line close to San Sebastian Hill and the two teams rowed across in boats to the Galle Face Grounds. The Academy made 110 in the first inning; and St. Thomas' 59. In the second innings the Academy made 35 and St. Thomas' 24.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ft.lk/sports/The-Royal-Thomian-spectacle--Potted-history-of-the-series/23-674079|title=The Royal-Thomian spectacle: Potted history of the series {{!}} Daily FT|website=www.ft.lk|language=English|access-date=2020-01-17}}</ref> J. W. de Silva was the Academy captain and F. W. McDonnell the Thomian captain.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://royalcollege.lk/pages/life-at-royal/sports/cricket/|title=Cricket {{!}} Royal College|last=Colombo|first=Royal College|date=25 December 2012|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-17}}</ref> In this first encounter Colombo Academy won by 62 runs.<ref>[http://www.dailynews.lk/2011/06/11/spo26.asp Ranjan Madugalle, A fine Cricketing Ambassador]</ref><ref>[https://archives.sundayobserver.lk/2004/02/01/spo08.html So, Royal really lost 1885 match to S. Thomas'] </ref><ref>[http://www.stcmloba.org/the-college-history/ The College History]</ref><ref>[http://www.stcmloba.org/the-oba-history/The OBA History]</ref><ref>[http://www.sundaytimes.lk/090308/Sports/sp206.html The Royal – Thmian - 130 Years on]</ref>
 At present, the match is played between Royal College, Colombo which is a public non-denominational school accommodating approximately 8,500 students and S. Thomas' College, Mt Lavinia which is a private Anglican school that has about 2500 boys on roll and a branch network of three constituent colleges with a total of over 5,500 students. It was the first schoolboy cricket match in Sri Lanka to be played over three days.
@@ Line 35: / Line 51: @@
 * [[Sinhalese Sports Club Ground|SSC Grounds]], Maitland Place - 1975, 1976, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1985, 1989, 1990, 1994 to Present
-==Notable people who have played in the Royal Thomian Cricket Match<ref name="royalthomian">[http://www.royalthomian.info/HTML/More%20info.html The Royal Thomian Derby] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080616114524/http://www.royalthomian.info/HTML/More%20info.html |date=June 16, 2008 }}</ref>==
+==Notable people who have played in the Royal Thomian Cricket Match==
+Source:<ref name="royalthomian">[http://www.royalthomian.info/HTML/More%20info.html The Royal Thomian Derby] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080616114524/http://www.royalthomian.info/HTML/More%20info.html |date=June 16, 2008 }}</ref>
 {{col-begin}}
@@ Line 48: / Line 64: @@
 * [[B. R. Heyn]]
 * [[B. W. Bawa]]
-* [[P.B. Bulankulama]]
+* [[P. B. Bulankulame]]
 * [[Eran Wickramaratne]]
 * [[Ranjan Madugalle]]
@@ Line 104: / Line 120: @@
 ==See also==
+*[[Big Match]]
 *[[Royal-Thomian rivalry]]
 *[[Royal Thomian Regatta]]
@@ Line 113: / Line 130: @@
 *[http://www.royalthomian.info Official Royal Thomian Website]
 *[http://thepapare.com/index.php?/cricket/battle-of-the-blues/ Multimedia coverage]
-*[http://cityhits.blogspot.com Open Forum]
+*[http://cityhits.blogspot.com Open Forum] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708031229/http://www.cityhits.blogspot.com/ |date=2011-07-08 }}
 *[https://web.archive.org/web/20090316203202/http://www.dailynews.lk/2009/03/13/fea16.asp The Royal–Thomian – 130 years on: The Battle of the Blues Steeped in tradition]
+* {{URL|https://www.thepapare.com/march-madness/|Big Matches}} at ''ThePapare.com''
-{{DEFAULTSORT:Royal-Thomian}}
 [[Category:Big Matches]]
 [[Category:Royal College, Colombo]]
@@ Line 124: / Line 141: @@
 [[Category:Sri Lankan cricket in the 21st century]]
 [[Category:Student sport in Sri Lanka]]
+[[Category:Sri Lankan domestic cricket competitions]]
+[[Category:Schools cricket matches]]