Big Match: Matara's 118th Battle of the Blues begins

St. Servatius College will host St. Thomas' College this year at their 118th annual encounter which begins from today (23).

The three-day encounter, one of the three Big Matches to be played besides Royal-Thomian and the Jaffna encounter will end on Sunday (25). 

St. Thomas' lead the series with 32 wins to St. Servatius’ 27. 

The last Thomian victory was in 2007, while the Servatians have been winless since 1971. 

St. Thomas' playing their first season in Division I, performed remarkably well with outright wins against St. Benedict's, Moratu Vidyalaya and Bandaranaike Central Gampaha, to finish 6th in their Group and overall 17th, with 98.060 points, ahead of their traditional rivals. 

St. Servatius are 5th in their Group and overall 20th, with 87.560 points. 

The Servatians won outright against Dharmaraja, while registeringd 1st innings wins against St. Joseph Vaz and Wesley. 

St. Thomas' team (from): Tharusha Kavindya (Captain), Maleesha de Saram, Mihisal Amoda, Lahiru Dilshan, Gishanthika Jayaweera, Kavindu Ridmal, Hirantha Lakshan, Sachira Rashmika, Sineth Sithara, Chamika Ranasinghe, Voshitha Amarasinghe, Hasaru Anuranga de Silva, S.M. Nimanthaka, J.P. Harindu, Hirusha Jeewadith, Sanjaya Maduranga, Udith Sathsara, G. Vidushan and Rusiru Chanaka de Laneroll. 
Charith Palliyage (Coach), Dumindu Hewapathirana (Assistant Coach), W.M.A.D. Lakmal (Master-in-Charge) 

St. Servatius team (from): Thilan Prashan Lorensuhewa (Captain), Charith Harshana, Isuru Udayanga Daladawatta, Sandaru Nethmina, Supun Kavinda, Kesara Nuwantha, Pushpitha Dilshan, Risira Lakwin, Chethaka Denuwan, Pasindu Manupriya, Ruwinda Rochana, Kavindu Dulakshitha, Pasan Sathsara, Dilakshan Kavinda and Chihan Kalindu. 
Ravindra Palliyaguruge (Coach), Nayanananda de Silva (Master-in-Charge)