Royal–Thomian rivalry

Royal College Main Building, the iconic symbol of Royal College Colombo

Royal–Thomian Rivalry refers to the competition, both in academics and sports between Royal College Colombo and S. Thomas' College, Mt Lavinia. Both schools have rich histories of academic excellence, as well as sport competition and school pride. Both were founded in the 19th century, and between them they have produced a large number of Sri Lanka's most prominent scientists, writers and politicians, as well as noted figures in many other fields.

Background

Royal College, Colombo is a government-funded public school that accommodates approximately 8,000 students. S. Thomas' College, Mt Lavinia is an Anglican private school that has about 2,500 boys on roll and a branch network of three constituent colleges in Kollupitiya, Guruthalawa and Bandarawela with a total of over 5,500 students. Royal and S. Thomas' have been careful to preserve many parts of their proud history, retaining a number of traditions.

Cricket

"There is no Royal without S. Thomas' and no S. Thomas' without Royal!"

— Bogoda Premaratne, former Principal of Royal College^[1]

Royal–Thomian (the Battle of the Blues)

Main article: Royal-Thomian

Known simply as the Royal-Thomian, the cricket match has been played by the schools since 1879. This annual cricket match is played for the D. S. Senanayake Memorial Shield, and is affectionately known as the Battle of the Blues due to the colours of each school's flag. The first match was played between the Colombo Academy and St Thomas' College in 1879, thus was known as the Academy College match till 1881. The first match was played with schoolmasters participating as well as schoolboys. From 1880 onwards, only schoolboys were allowed to play in the match.^[2]

As of 2016, the tally stands as Royal having 35 wins and S.Thomas' with 34 wins. This is regarded as the most prestigious cricketing event in the country. The match itself is preceded by many activities including the legendary Cycle Parade which usually happens on the day before the big match, with the official objective of visiting the captain's house to encourage him.

Mustangs Trophy

Following the annual three-day match, known as the Big Match, the schools meet a week later for the limited overs match. Played since 1975, for the Mustangs Trophy, from which it gains its name.^[3]^[4]

Twenty-20

In 2010, as part of Royal College's 175th anniversary celebrations the first ever Royal Thomian Twenty20 Cricket Encounter organized for the J. R. Jayewardene Trophy at the P. Saravanamuttu Stadium (The Oval).

Rugby

The Royal Thomian rugby encounter held annually in the Michaelmas Term of S. Thomas and between the two sessions of Bradby Shield Encounter of Royal since 1955. Second only to the Bradby Shield Encounter (between Royal and Trinity) in prestigious rugby match in the country. It is played for the Michael Gunaratne Trophy.

Basketball

Since 2002, The annual Royal Thomian basketball encounter is played for the prestigious D.S Senanayake Trophy. Every year an old boys match is also played. S. Thomas' won the first match for the D.S Senanayake trophy. As of 2015, the tally stands as Royal having 5 wins and S. Thomas' with 8 wins.

Since 2012 an U 15 match is also played. Royal College won the first U 15 match. As of 2015, the tally stands as Royal having 2 wins and S. Thomas' with 2 wins.

Water Polo

In the recent past this Encounter has attracted massive crowds and definitely has turned out to be one of the most eagerly awaited encounters for both schools. Played for the Dr R.L. Hayman Trophy(Former sub warden at S.Thomas' College) since 1992, the waterpolo encounter is held in two sessions(Legs), initially played in both schools (at the Royal College pool in Colombo and at the S. Thomas' College pool in Mt Lavinia) and now played in a neutral venue (Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium) due to crowd control issues. S.Thomas' College so far has dominated the encounter with 15 wins Royal 7 wins & 2 Draws ^[5]

Boxing

The Senator Sir Cyril de Zoysa Shield of boxing is one of the most coveted boxing tournaments in the island. The shield was presented in memory of Sir Cyril de Zoysa former President of the Senate of Ceylon.

Tennis

Though tennis has been played at both schools for over fifty years, the first inter-school annual tennis encounter was organized between Royal and S. Thomas in 2003. It is played for the E F C Pereira Memorial Cup.^[6]^[7]

Swimming

In 2009 both schools have agreed to begin an annual Royal-Thomian Swimming Championship, with the inaugural to being in May 2009. The even is due to be held at the swimming pools of each school on alternate years. Overall champions of the meet will be awarded the Creon Corea Memorial Challenge Trophy named after the late swimmer who represented Royal College in the early 1980s. A unique feature of this meet will be the relay events included for old boys of the two schools and the champions will be awarded the OTSC Challenge Trophy.^[8]

Regatta

The T. N. Fernando Trophy, awarded annually to the overall winner of the Regatta

Main article: Royal Thomian Regatta

The Royal-Thomian Regatta is the annual regatta between the two schools. The Boat Race which is a coxed fours event initially began in 1962 and by 1966, it broadened out to give rise to the regatta having a card of six events, made up of 2 Single Sculls, 2 Coxless Pairs and 2 Coxed Fours which the 'Boat Race' is the most prestigious. The events take place at the Beira lake (alongside the Colombo Rowing Club) in Colombo around October each year with the T. N. Fernando Trophy awarded to the overall winner

Debates

Other competitions

Hockey – Orville Abeynaike Trophy
Rifle Shooting – Old Boys Shield

References

External links

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