If you’re an old boy of Royal College or S. Thomas’ College Mount Lavinia living in Los Angeles, today is the day you’ve been waiting for as all roads lead to Woodley Park for the much-anticipated Royal-Thomian annual alumni cricket encounter which gets underway at 9:30 AM. This cherished event promises to reignite the friendly rivalry between the old boys of these two iconic schools, with the Thomian Alumni of California (TAC) gearing up to defend the prestigious “Dedicated to Our Teachers” trophy.
Last year’s thrilling encounter saw the Thomian Alumni of California (TAC) reclaim the trophy in sensational fashion under skipper Shammika Rodrigo, ending years of near misses. The TAC pulled off a dramatic three-wicket victory over their arch-rivals, the Royal College Old Boys Association of North America, during their annual clash at the Woodley Cricket Grounds in California.
Chasing 183 runs in 30 overs, the Thomians secured the win in a nail-biting finish when number nine batter Anushka Ginawardena smashed a straight six in the penultimate over. Breaking a seven-year losing streak, they crossed the finish line with five balls to spare. This year, the stakes are even higher, and the excitement is palpable as both teams gear up to leave it all on the field.
A Star-Studded Thomian Lineup
The TAC side will be led by none other than Vishan De Mel, who represented S. Thomas’ in the 1985, 1986, and 1987 “Big Matches” and played for the Sri Lanka U-19 national team against a formidable England side captained by Michael Atherton, featuring cricket legends like Nasser Hussain and Andrew Bicknell. De Mel is flying in from Toronto, Canada, and will be joined by an impressive lineup including:
- John Lewis, Lakshan Liyanage, Daniel Suppiah, and Meshan Rajakaruna, also traveling from Toronto to bolster the squad.
- Lalindra Wickramaratne, captain of the Thomian “Big Match” team of 1991.
- Naveen Peiris, a former STC First Eleven cricketer who achieved the remarkable feat of taking all 10 wickets in an innings during an under-15 schools encounter.
- Pujitha De Silva, who graced the big matches in 1986 and 1987.
- Dirk Tissera, son of the legendary Sri Lankan national captain Michael Tissera who represented STC in the annual big matches in (1989 -1991).
- Shammika Rodrigo, last year’s skipper and former STC first Eleven cricketer (1988-1990) who has been a regular member of the TAC side having played in the New York League for several years.
A Celebration of Tradition
This 30-over encounter isn’t just about cricket; it’s a celebration of camaraderie, tradition, and the enduring bond shared by old boys of these prestigious institutions. Played in honor of the beloved teachers from both colleges, the event is a heartfelt tribute to the educators who shaped generations of students.
Don’t Miss the Action!
With both teams bringing their best to the pitch and a crowd of enthusiastic supporters expected to cheer them on, this promises to be a day filled with thrilling cricket, spirited rivalry, and cherished memories. Whether you’re there for the love of the game, the friendships, or the nostalgia, this is one event no old Royalist or Thomian in Los Angeles should miss!
See you at Woodley Park—let the battle begin!
Pictures from last year’s big match below
