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The Halangoda - Richards centenary match
Every time the two schools - Royal and S. Thomas' take the field for their traditional encounter in cricket, something unique comes along with it. Every time they take the field they cut another niche in the history of the game as the longest surviving inter-school match in the world that has been played without a break.

When the first game that was played in 1879 with teachers of the two schools also included in teams they would not have dreamt that they were about to make the first of many firsts that were to follow and that they were the forefathers of one of the biggest annual social events in this country.

In 1979 the Royal-Thomian encounter became the first big match to reach the magical century mark. On this momentous occasion one of the most stylish batsmen produced by the country, Ranjan Madugalle, leading the Royalists for the second consecutive year and allrounder J.D. Peiris leading the Thomians on to the field. Among many other firsts, this particular game also went into history as the first inter-school in Sri Lanka played over a duration of three days. Except for an year thereafter, the Royal-Thomian continues to be the one school encounter that is played over three days.

Present among the dignitaries at the large gathering at the centenary match was another former Royal College cricketer who went on to become the President of the country- J.R. Jayewardene, Dr. G.W. Karunaratne the oldest living captain from either school, and the two principals-L.D.H. Peiris (Royal) and M.L.C. Illangakone (S. Thomas').

World reknowned Jewelers, Messrs O.L.M. Markan Markar Limited presented two gold coins engraved with the crest of the two colleges while each player received a silver coin with the crest engraved. Former Royalist F.C. de Saram coached the Thomians while Royal was under the tutelage of S.G. Salgado.

On 8th March 1979, shortly before 10 a.m. Royal skipper Ranjan Madugalle and S.Thomas' captain J.D. Peiris were in the middle for the toss and Peiris called right, the Thomians electing to bat. No one was to know at the time that it will be youngster Mahinda Halangoda who will carry his bat into history at the end of that game.

Halangoda's score of 70 not out in the Thomian second innings was not the highest in the series by far. But, his determination and courage to hold the Royal bowlers at bay for the better part of one session of play - the final and most dangerous of all sessions, along with medium pacer C.P. Richards (20 not out) would not be forgotten by any cricket enthusiast who was present at the Sinhalese Sports Club Grounds on March 10, 1979.

In their first essay the Thomians lost- S. Wijesinghe, Rohan Anthonisz and Lakmal de Zoysa with only 42 runs on the board. At 12.15 p.m. Royal had bowled 41 overs and the Thomians had slumped to 112 for 6. The Thomian inning folded up at 3.05 p.m. all out for 154 in 51.3 overs and 213 minutes with the younger of the de Alwis bothers, Ken, top scoring with 47. Royal's allrounder Sudath Pasqual who enjoyed a memorable game ended the innings with 4 for 53, while Asantha de Mel, Rajiva Wijetunge and Kesara de Costa shared two wickets each.

Prasan Fernando (35) the Royal opener who started off their innings with some beautiful cover drives put on 90 runs for the first wicket with Haroon Musafer who went on to complete the first half century (53) of the centenary match. At the end of the first day Royal were in a commanding position at 117 for 2 with Ranjan Madugalle and Sudath Pasqual (both going on to represent Sri Lanka) at the wicket. The second day also was not a very healthy day for the Thomians. Both overnight batsmen Pasqual (66) and Madugalle (58) continued to bat well.

Sirisena, Anthonisz and de Zoysa missed catches, and Royal declared at 4.05 p.m. at 321 for 8 in 86 overs of batting. For S. Thomas' Mahinda Halangoda was the lone fighter to finish with figures of 4 for 60 off 26 overs. S. Thomas' had the task of scoring 167 runs to make Royal bat again. With more than a day's play remaining it was a daunting task ahead to save the game by any standard of cricket.

With paceman Asantha de Mel breathing fire, the Thomian chances for survival looked even bleaker. de Mel was responsible for the wickets of opener Wijesinghe and skipper Peiris and the Thomians went to lunch on Day 3 at 101 for 3. Another two sessions of batting with seven wickets in hand. A daunting task for the Thomians to save the match. Shortly after lunch, the Thomians went further into the quagmire when the de Alwis brothers Guy and Ken also surrendered, and Anthonisz was forced to come to the middle from the sick bed. Then, Idippili and Anthonisz held on at the crease for 18.1 overs to put on a 68 run stand, but, when Costa had Idippili stumped by wicket keeper M.N. Perera for 29, and Anthonisz for 5 Royal was sensing the sweetness of a win at the centenary. But Halangoda and Richards had other ideas.

The Thomian boast of "Thomian Grit" was given full meaning before a capacity crowd. They held on to their task, gave more than what was expected of them and the final result was a memorable draw and both sides had reasons to be proud.

The Royalists were deprived of an inning's victory at the centenary, but cricket was the inevitable victor. It was a Halangoda-Richards match, and any Royalist would salute the pair for their heroics that day in March 1979.

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