Sports

147TH Battle of the Blues today

S. Thomas’ College: Avinash Fernando (c), Aaron De Silva (vc), Abheeth Paranawidana, Jaden Amaraweera, Reshon Solomons, Chanuth Eheliyagoda, Mahith Rajapaksa, Aaron Wickramasinghe, Gimhan Mendis, Stevon Peiris, Aaron Kodithuwakku, Ludeesha Matarage, Nethum Withanage, Dineth Peiris, Akhilesh Rajakaruna, Shanil Perera, Chrishen Warnasuriya, Vihanga Mathangaweera, Raphael Hettige, Minon Warnasuriya, Chelan Weerasinghe, Chamash Gunawardene, Sineru Thantriwatte, Methuka Gunaratne

Royal College: Rehan Peiris (c), Yasindu Dissanayake (vc), Vimath Dinsara, Ramiru Perera, Vimath Dinsara, Hirun LIyanarachchi, Sehandu Sooriyarachchi, Thevindu Wewalwala, Sasindu Mapa, Ushitha Illeperuma, Dushen Uduwela, Himaru de Silva, Mahiru Kodithuwakku, Manuth Dassanayake, Gagan Gamage, Chanithu Kankanamge, Sandul Abeywardane, Mudith Gunesekera, Udantha Gengewatte,

Royal seek lost glory, Thora seeking grit

The147th Battle of the Blues between Royal College Colombo and S. Thomas’ College Mt Lavinia arguably the biggest social gathering in Colombo begins today (12) at the Singhalese Sports Club (SSC). The three action packed days will see the boys from two schools battling it out for the coveted D.S. Senanayake Challenge Shield amidst a capacity crowd from all over the world. The 49th Mustangs Trophy Limited-Over match will be played as a day-night encounter on March 28 at the same venue.

The Thomians are led by Avinash Fernando while Sri Lanka U19 cap Rehan Peiris leads the Royalists. Both teams are coached by two respected alumni, Nilanka Peiris Jnr. (STC) and Gamini Perera (RC). Last year’s game saw a sporty declaration by Royal which paved the path for a commendable Thomian victory. A moment that will always be remembered in the highest levels of the gentlemen’s game.

Royal have four national youth caps in their outfit and retain their last year’s skipper Ramiru Perera. The lads from Reid Avenue have one outright win (beating Nalanda) and four 1st innings wins whilst the lads from the school by the sea have one outright win (beating Prince of Wales’) and six 1st innings wins.

Team info: ‘Battle of the Blues’ 2026

Royal:

Top run-scorers – Rehan Peiris (900+), Hirun LIyanarachchi (800+), Ramiru Perera (700+),

Top wicket-takers – Ramiru Perera (35+), Himaru De Silva (35+), Sehandu Sooriyarachchi (25+)

S. Thomas’:

Top run-scorers – Reshon Solomons (800+), Jaden Amaraweera (750+), Aaron Kodithuwakku (600+), Avinash Fernando (500+), Ludeesha Matarage (500+)

Top wicket-takers – Abheeth Paranawidana (40+), Aaron de Silva (30+), Gimhan Mendis and Reshon Solomons (15+)

Royal-Thomian tally

Played - 146

Royal - 36

S. Thomas' - 36

Drawn – 74