With that familiar time of the year rolling in, Life Online caught up with a few people who reminisce and anticipate the Battle of the Blues. 

The Royal–Thomian Big Match or the ‘Roy-Tho’ as it is fondly called, is the annual cricket encounter between two of Colombo’s leading boys' schools, that of S. Thomas’ College Mount Lavinia and Royal College, Colombo.

 

 

This encounter is the second-longest uninterrupted cricket match series in the world, the oldest being between St. Peter's College and Prince Alfred College in South Australia. The Roy-Tho has been played continuously for 132 years, making it even older than the Ashes.

 

As history states, the original match was played between the Colombo Academy (now Royal College) and S. Thomas' College in 1879. This first match saw schoolboys as well as their schoolmasters participating in the game. However, from 1880 onwards, only schoolboys were allowed to play in the match. 

 

During our schooling days, we would look forward to the cycle parade as that would mean boys jumping into school… This meant two things: schools activities were interrupted for a while and of course, we would get to ogle at the boys! This was a long time ago, but now, for us, it is something of a tradition to be part of the Roy-Tho where you meet friends you’ve made over the years from both schools some of who you meet only on those three days. For us, the fairer sex, it is the atmosphere that brings us to the Roy-Tho, year in and year out and it is something you have to be a part of at some point as not only are you participating in something historic but you are also guaranteed to have a fabulous time.  

 

We do know how special this encounter is, in terms of the history of the game and the fun involved, but we wanted to know what a few Royalists and Thomians as well as a few ardent followers of the Roy-Tho had to say about this historical encounter.

 

Dilukshan (Thomian)

 

The Roy-Tho is the event we wait for at the beginning of the year to have fun and meet our friends. The excitement of witnessing the best and the oldest cricket match in the world, while being part of its history is amazing. 

 

Over the years it has been special to be at the Roy-Tho as we were able to see our friends play and make history while this year is extra special for me because my brother is playing for Thora. Seeing my brother wear the cap with the College colours and going onto the field and representing our family and friends is a very special moment and one that will bring tears of joy to my eyes. It will be even more memorable if he scores a fifty or… a… hundred! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shehan (Royalist) 

 

As a kid in school it was a fun few days out with our good school mates supporting our school hoping they can add another win to the tally and give us a year’s bragging rights over our arch rivals. But 10 years after leaving school it is mostly about meeting your old school mates you hardly meet now. That does not mean the result is not important. As to why it is so special, well, it’s world history! Nuff said!

 

The highlight of the Roy-Tho for me as a spectator I guess, is the atmosphere with all the bands, singing and generally seeing happy people, while the occasional tiff, adds colour to the occasion! 

Sadly I will be missing my second Royal-Thomian in 23 years as I won't be in Sri Lanka. This does get me very emotional.

 

Ashan (Thomian)

 

 

Hmm....where can I actually start when it comes to the Roy-Tho? The atmosphere along with the papare and the crowd is just amazing. I guess I can say I know about all the emotions that go along with it as the three years I was a part of the team we lost, won and drew our matches respectively. All the traditions embedded to the Roy-Tho are simply an experience you would never forget but nothing tops the feeling that you get when you wear that ‘Colours’ blazer for the first time. It is like a dream fulfilled and a goal achieved. That however was back in the day while now it is a three day party with friends, spirits and all the things that come along with it… it is something we look forward to, from the beginning of the year. This year is even more special as my cousin is captaining S. Thomas’. I wish him and his team all the best and I am hoping for a Thora Victory!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sean (Thomian)

 

Well most Thomians and Royalists get together almost a week before the match and start partying. Traditionally the match has a lot of significance to the players but for the spectators it is mostly a massive party. To be honest, in our day we didn't think much of the cricketers and I am yet to see a wicket fall at the Roy-Tho since 1979! So for me it is a big party where I meet fellow Thomians and Royalists and have a great time. The match itself is a big excuse to have some good fun, what happens to the match is immaterial! 

 

Dilhan (Thomian)

 

 

Well, for me, it is about being in ‘high spirits’ for three whole days! 

 

Kanishke (Royalist) 

 

 

I was out of the island for 13 years and therefore have not been to the Big Match in over 13 years. For me, it has never really been about the game going on in the middle as it is about meeting old friends and having some good fun for three days. This year is obviously special as it has been a long time since I have been to a Roy-This and I’m bound to have a lot of catching up to do! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ashwin (Thomian)

 

 

The Big Match is not merely a cricket match. It's an experience. From meeting up with semi-inebriated friends in the stands or the middle of the field, to trash-talking the other school, to singing and dancing in the tent, or charging on to the field to celebrate a milestone, there are a wide variety of unique experiences on offer. And for the purists, the cricket on show isn't half as bad either. It's definitely an addictive experience and I try to schedule the month of March around the 2nd weekend. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Laknath (Royalist) 

 

 

I think it’s probably the craziest and most entertaining event in the history of any sport. It’s three days of madness, beverage and the finest of school cricket. Of course, I haven't missed a Big Match in the last 10 years. I can still remember going to the Roy-Tho as a grade 5 kid, and running around the boys’ tent with a royal flag. The hype is crazy and outta control; Trucking Cycle Parade, girls in school vans from Boyd place and Flower road.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Afshan (Royalist) 

 

 

It’s the best match in Sri Lanka. A good place to meet up with all the old classmates. It’s a tradition all Royalists and Thomians look forward to every year. In terms of trucking and jumping into girl schools, I think it’s just harmless fun kids have to enjoy themselves. Don't think the cops should make such an issue over it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dilini (fan of the Roy Tho)

 

 

The Roy - Tho is more than just a cricket match because my dad's a Royalist and my fiancé is a Thomian. Clash of interests indeed! I've attended around 7 big matches (3 of which I missed since I wasn't in the country). We go every year to meet family and school friends and just party it up for 3 whole days. It's definitely a family affair and after all the hype, hat collections and cycle parades, the match does NOT disappoint (whenever we do watch it that is).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nithya (fan of the Roy Tho)

 

I have found that it is an annoying yet exhilarating time to be in Colombo. The atmosphere in Colombo during this season is entertaining.  Trucking & Hat collection plays a great part in spreading out the pre- battle jitters. Teachers become the mighty dragons guarding the girl school gates from the rebellious truckers. Suddenly the Battle of the Blues fever takes over the media, teens, parents, glamorous girls and especially the old boys who are diehard fans of the game. And the best part is you don't even have to be a cricket buff to enjoy this spirit! It’s just that time of the year to pick the colours, “Blue & Gold” or “Blue & Black”?

 

Adnaan (Royalist) 

 

For me, the RoyTho is a time when we basically go back to being ‘school boys’ (undoubtedly the best times of our lives). Meeting old friends (both Royalists and Thomians), going back to school days, catching up with what’s happening, cheering our team and jeering the Thomians (with them right next to us, doing the same for their team), dancing and singing to the Papare’ etc etc etc.

 

It is so special because…, the atmosphere (absolutely electric), the camaraderie (truly amazing), the sound (really deafening). You just walk in there and it feels like you walked through some kind of ‘portal’, in to a parallel universe or something. Even the air around you feels different. It’s absolutely fantastic. You really have to be there to know. To really feel it!

 

Well, the highlight will (hopefully) be a Right Royal Victory, beating those beach boys from Mount Lavinia, Black ‘n Blue. But irrespective of that, I just look forward to going there and having a great time.

 

Additionally, we (the Royal College Group of '98), with the Group of '99 have been organizing an exclusive tent / enclosure (SLC Down), for the last 4 years, this being the 5th consecutive year. Having been on the committee from the inception, this year is special for us, as it is a landmark for this event, one of the key and most anticipated events on our batch calendar. So this year we plan to make it a little 'extra special', to celebrate this momentous occasion, keeping the College Flag flying higher and the cheers louder than ever before.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The 133rd Battle of the Blues is set to kick off on 8 March and continue till 10 March at the Sinhalese Sports Club

 

(Text by Natasha Fernandopulle and Sherwani Synon)