There is a time in March where there is a serious epidemic which is highly contagious but accepted with glee by thousands of joyous school boys. Known as “Big match Fever” it has been found that there is no cure but to enjoy the week of infection !

From every little Thomian earnestly chanting the phrase “Tho…ra” or the more emphatic senior students who seem to have created newer slogans unmentionable here, have this spirit in them as they head over to watch the much awaited event of the year.

The Pre match extravaganza is always a unique feature in the Battle of the Blues where the parading of schools better known as ‘trucking’ takes place with boys treading the sacred grounds of girls’ schools with the motive of collecting a few rupees for the match. This is an excellent opportunity for some to relieve their stress and frustration and for the Athletics team to recruit fresh talent in the fields of High jump and 100m dash !

Then this year we had the traditional cycle parade after a year’s absence. Here the boys manage to ride exclusively decorated bikes through the streets of Colombo with the sincere motive of encouraging our team. (Whether this is true nobody knows !)

Then we come to the main complication of the fever; which of course is the match itself (for most) where the big match memorabilia is sold for ten Rupees by vendors at the gate and the gallant Thomian supporter covers himself with blue and black and maybe a bit of Blue and Gold.  Enter the match and the thrill of the match enters your soul even if your team is down and you are now enslaved to this grand gala and there is no place you’d rather be. True cricket fans will watch the match ball by ball while some others appreciate the simpler things in life with great joy and usually by the end of the first day you go home optimistic of a victory.

The next few days are to be enjoyed fully and there is much, much more than Cricket to enjoy.  The Food, The Beverage (Selected types), having a great time with your friends, screaming your heart out for your team and of course entertaining the ladies who happen to crowd the gentleman’s game.

Another enjoyable sight at the match is of course the adult generation in top gear. The sight of an old Thomian heartily waving the Royal College flag while croaking out lyrics never before heard by any of us is another classic sight to enjoy.

While the match goes on a another battle may also occur in the  name of the Battle of the Chairs and Bottles which no one seems to win, so next time try not to join this feature, please! Nobody would want to watch the match on a stretcher.

Eleven young shoulders share the hopes, ambitions and dreams of the whole Thomian family eagerly awaiting the next wicket or the next boundary to cheer. Months of hard work go into this match and despite the result it is most appreciated by all as it is the game of cricket where anything can happen.

The Big Match: words cannot explain what it means to the Thomian family. We enjoyed these few weeks even though it didn’t give the result we yearned for. Here, is a brief summary of what happened at the match;

On the first day, S. Thomas’ won the toss decided to bat first. The Thomians were able to make 278 for 8 throughout the day. Naveen Perera (58) and S. Gnanaskandan (57) got their half centuries, while N. Mazahir made 47.

After the Thomians declared, the Royalists toiled hard for a massive score. Batting throughout the second day, they piled up 432 for 7 wickets. They were able to re-establish few records on the way. S. Senaratne (104) and M. Malgaspe (140) did most of the work for the Royalists.

Coming onto the field at the last few minutes of the second day, the Thomians were able to get 296 allout after tea. Shashrika Pussegolla (71) and D. Colombage (83) made a stunning show. Yet the most exciting innings were of the tail ender, Jehaan Thahir’s fifty, which was like a bolt from the blue.

With all the effort put in, the Royalists were able to get the 144 runs needed for the victory few minutes before the end of play. (A rare phenomena indeed!)

Notwithstanding their defeat, the Thomians convincingly beat the rivals at the limited overs. The Thomians batting first, made a splendid 217 for 8. the skipper, Naveen formed the foundation with a 66, while Shashrika(32), Mazahir(24), and Ashan(22) made their contributions.

Due to a splendid bowling and fielding performance the Thomians were able to restrict them to mere 180 and clinch the Mustangs Trophy.

We congratulate on their comeback