Royal-Thomian rivalry
Encyclopedia
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 nineteenth century, and between them they have produced a large number of Sri Lanka's most prominent scientist
s, writer
s and politician
s, as well as noted figures in many other fields.
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.
has been played by the schools from 1838 onwards. The annual cricket test match
is the longest uninterrupted cricket match series in the world, played for the D. S. Senanayake Memorial Shield, and is affectionately known as the Battle of the Blues due the college colours. The original 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.
As of 2009 the tally stands as Royal having 33 wins and S.Thomas' with 34 wins.This is regarded as the most prestigious cricketing event in the country. This is also preceded by 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.
Cricket Encounter organized for the J. R. Jayewardene Trophy at the P. Saravanamuttu Stadium (The Oval).
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.
encounter held annually in the Michaelmas Term of S. Thomias and between the two sessions of Bradby Shield Encounter
of Royal since 1955. Second only to the Bradby Shield Encounter in prestigious rugby match in the country. It is played for the Michael Gunaratne Trophy.
is one of the most converted boxing tournaments in the island. The shield was presented in memory of Sir
Cyril de Zoysa
former President of the Senate of Ceylon
.
Royal College Colombo
The Royal College of Colombo was founded in January 1835 in Colombo. It is considered to be the leading Public School in Sri Lanka...
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 nineteenth century, and between them they have produced a large number of Sri Lanka's most prominent scientist
Scientist
A scientist in a broad sense is one engaging in a systematic activity to acquire knowledge. In a more restricted sense, a scientist is an individual who uses the scientific method. The person may be an expert in one or more areas of science. This article focuses on the more restricted use of the word...
s, writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
s and politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
s, 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 a Anglican private schoolPrivate school
Private schools, also known as independent schools or nonstate schools, are not administered by local, state or national governments; thus, they retain the right to select their students and are funded in whole or in part by charging their students' tuition, rather than relying on mandatory...
that has about 2,500 boys on roll and a branch network of three constituent colleges in Kollupitiya
Kollupitiya
Kollupitiya is a major city in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The name Kollupitiya comes from the name of a chief from Kandy who had unsuccessfully attempted to dethrone the last king of Kandy. During the period of British and Dutch administration, a brewery had commenced in Kollupitiya which converted...
, Guruthalawa and Bandarawela
Bandarawela
Bandarawela is the second largest city in Badulla District which is 28 km away from Badulla. Due to higher altitude, Bandarawela has a mild weather condition throughout the year hence, it is popular among the citizens to spend the vacations with their family members...
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
Royal-Thomian (the Battle of the Blues)
Known simply as the Royal-Thomian, the cricketCricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
has been played by the schools from 1838 onwards. The annual cricket test match
Test cricket
Test cricket is the longest form of the sport of cricket. Test matches are played between national representative teams with "Test status", as determined by the International Cricket Council , with four innings played between two teams of 11 players over a period of up to a maximum five days...
is the longest uninterrupted cricket match series in the world, played for the D. S. Senanayake Memorial Shield, and is affectionately known as the Battle of the Blues due the college colours. The original 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.
As of 2009 the tally stands as Royal having 33 wins and S.Thomas' with 34 wins.This is regarded as the most prestigious cricketing event in the country. This is also preceded by 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 long Test match, known as the Big Match the schools meet two weeks later for the limited overs match. Played since 1975, for the Mustangs Trophy, from which it gains its name.Twenty-20
In 2010, as part of Royal College's 175th anniversary celebrations the first ever Royal Thomian Twenty20Twenty20
Twenty20 is a form of cricket, originally introduced in England for professional inter-county competition by the England and Wales Cricket Board , in 2003. A Twenty20 game involves two teams, each has a single innings, batting for a maximum of 20 overs. Twenty20 cricket is also known as T20 cricket...
Cricket Encounter organized for the J. R. Jayewardene Trophy at the P. Saravanamuttu Stadium (The Oval).
Regatta
The Royal-Thomian Regatta is the annual regatta
Regatta
A regatta is a series of boat races. The term typically describes racing events of rowed or sailed water craft, although some powerboat race series are also called regattas...
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.
Rugby
The Royal Thomian rugbyRugby football
Rugby football is a style of football named after Rugby School in the United Kingdom. It is seen most prominently in two current sports, rugby league and rugby union.-History:...
encounter held annually in the Michaelmas Term of S. Thomias and between the two sessions of Bradby Shield Encounter
Bradby Shield Encounter
The Bradby Shield Encounter - commonly known as "The Bradby" - is the blue ribbon of Sri Lanka's school rugby union season. It is played annually between traditional rivals Royal College, Colombo, and Trinity College, Kandy. The encounter consists of two legs, one being played in the Royal College...
of Royal since 1955. Second only to the Bradby Shield Encounter in prestigious rugby match in the country. It is played for the Michael Gunaratne Trophy.
Water Polo
Played for the Dr R L Hayman Trophy since 1992, the waterpolo encounter is held in two sessions, one leg at the Royal College pool in Colombo and the second leg at the S. Thomas' College pool in Mt Lavinia.Boxing
The Senator Sir Cyril de Zoysa Shield of boxingBoxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
is one of the most converted boxing tournaments in the island. The shield was presented in memory of Sir
Sir
Sir is an honorific used as a title , or as a courtesy title to address a man without using his given or family name in many English speaking cultures...
Cyril de Zoysa
Cyril de Zoysa
Sir Cyril de Zoysa was a Sri Lankan industrialist, Senator and a philanthropist. The President of the Senate of Ceylon from 1960 to 1965, he was a leader in the Buddhist revival movement in Ceylon in the 20th century...
former President of the Senate of Ceylon
Senate of Ceylon
The Senate of Ceylon was the upper chamber of the parliament of Ceylon established in 1947 by the Soulbury Commission. The Senate was appointed/indirectly elected rather than directly elected. The Senate was housed in the old Legislative Council building in Colombo Fort and met for the first time...
.