• Sportsmanship at its best with declaration by Royal
• Diego gets historic hat-trick
• Both Vice Captains etch their names in history books

It was blue, black, and blue all the way at the SSC in Colombo yesterday (8) as S. Thomas’ College, Mt. Lavinia led by Kavindu Dias tasted a memorable victory after six years by defeating an honourable Royal College outfit led by Ramiru Perera by 5 wickets at the 146th ‘Battle of the Blues’ in a game that turned out to be a great show of sportsmanship, exemplifying the true values and ethos of the Royal-Thomian tradition.

Both teams, coached by two illustrious alumni – Gamini Perera (Royal) and Nilanka Peiris Jnr. (STC) – had a very positive approach towards the game, which led to a brave declaration by Royal and a gritty fightback from S. Thomas’ which paved the path for a result. 

STC regained the Rt. Hon. D.S. Senanayake Memorial Shield following Royal holding the silverware since their 2023 win under Dasis Manchanayake. The Thomians last won in 2019 under Sithara Hapuhinna.

It was a win to remember as the Reshon Solomons-Dineth Goonewardene duo steered the lads from Mount Lavinia to victory with their calm and talented batting in the last session with both scoring 50s. 

Fifteen-year-old fresher Solomons showed his composure and maturity amidst the massive crowd whilst his Vice Captain Goonewardene guided him in the middle.

Vice Captain Rehan Peiris (158) became the fifth Royalist to score 150 runs in an innings. Ramith Rambukwella (165) achieved the feat in 2010. Royal skipper Ramiru Perera became the first Royalist to bag a 5-wicket haul since 2018.

Thomian Vice Captain Goonewardene (119) broke an eight-year century drought for S. Thomas’. Rashmika Opatha (124) in 2016 excelled in a losing cause, which came after a sporty declaration by the Thomian skipper. 

Darien Diego ran riot with the ball as he took a historic hat-trick, becoming the third Thomian and fourth overall to achieve the feat since 1879.

At the end of the presentation ceremony, S. Thomas’ College Acting Warden Asanka Perera made the famous announcement: “Monday (10) is a holiday for STC!”

‘Battle of the Blues’ tally

• Played: 146
• Royal: 36
• S. Thomas’: 36
• Drawn: 74

Special awards – 146th ‘Battle of the Blues’

• Best Bowler: Darien Diego (STC)
• Best Batter: Rehan Peiris (RC)
• Best Fielder: Vimath Dinsara (RC)
• Man of the Match: Dineth Goonewardene (STC)

Royal College 2nd innings 

Rehan Peiris lbw b Diego 53

Hirun Liyanarachchi run out (Anzary) 37

Vimath Dinsara b Goonewardene 35

Isula Geeganage c Dias b Goonewardene 0

Ramiru Perera c Soysa b Diego 50

Thevindu Wewalwala c Goonewardene b Diego 13

Yasindu Dissanayake not out 17

Sehandu Sooriyaarachchi lbw b Diego 0

Ranuka Malaviarachchi b Diego 0

Sandul Abeywardene not out 1

Extra: 9 (b 5, lb 0, nb 2, w 2, pen 0)

Total: 215/8d (51) and 319/7d (78)

Bowling: Darien Diego (11-0-40-5), Dineth Goonewardene (11-0-51-2)

S. Thomas’ College 2nd innings 

Jaden Amaraweera b Perera 48

Avinash Fernando c Dinsara b Malaviarachchi 5

Mithila Charles lbw b Perera 26

Sadev Soysa c Dinsara b Perera 52

Dineth Goonewardene not out 50

Sachithra Gunasinghe lbw b Malaviarachchi 0

Reshon Solomons not out 50

Extras: 2 (b 0, lb 0, nb 0, w 2, pen 0) 6

Total: 233/5 (40.5) and 302/10 (103)

Bowling: Ramiru Perera (12.5-0-79-3), Ranuka Malaviarachchi (11-1-63-2)

Result: S. Thomas’ College won by 5 wickets

PHOTOS VENURA CHANDRAMALITHA