By Don Juan Jonklas
The drawn annual 147th Royal-Thomian Battle of the Blues came together in a rhyming traditional family unison of fun and frolic, the riot of color, one from the other of blue, gold and blue representing the Reid avenue school. and blue, black and blue of the school by the Mt. Lavinia sea filling the air at the long infested Singhalese Sports Club Grounds that that great rivalry of bat and ball has unfolded in time immemorial bathed in over a century of years.
The Battle of the Blues. as it was largely belonged to the batting heroics of S. Thomas’ opening batsman Jaden Amaraweera who stroked his way to a dream Player of the Match century in the wake of his first innings half century. Not that Royal was not without theirs.
Ramiru Perera loomed a lone , battle hardened guard fronting the Royal motto by a fighting 82 followed by Rehan Peiris, an astute 63 that kept Royal in the game.
The traditional big match was complemented by the first dos of the opening ceremony as our pictures depict, followed by the rousing awards ceremony as the singled out players collected their awards.
PICTURES – HERBERT PERERA & Hirantha Withanage
