Big Match: On the inaugural Day-Night Roy-Tho Mustang Trophy

The 50-overs Day-Night cricket extravaganza is unique this year as S. Thomas' celebrate their 130th anniversary of their OBA being probably the oldest OBA in the world and Royal College Union their 125th anniversary.

They also celebrate together the bonds that has been forged by the two great schools over the years, especially since 1879 when the two schools first played the Big Match. 

It is probably the oldest Big Match in the world, which was not disrupted or stopped because of World War 1, World War 2 or any other civil uprising in the past.

As stated by Warden Rev. Marc Billimoria of S. Thomas' College: "what matters is not how many of those encounters each side has won, but the camaraderie and bonds of mutual affection between our fraternities have been strengthened". 

There is also an old saying in Sri Lanka that "there is no Royal without S. Thomas' and no S. Thomas' without Royal" in many fronts.

The first match of the 50-overs Mustangs Trophy was played in 1975 at the CCC grounds, due to the pioneering efforts of Lankanatha de Silva, Brigadier S.D.N. Hapugalle, Air Vice Marshal Harry Gunatilleke and Wing Commander Noel Fernando. 

Thereafter all matches were played, except 1984 unfortunately. 

The match in 2002 was tied and the Trophy in 2012 was shared, arising from a very exemplary gesture by the former Thomian Warden Prof Indra de Soysa for his important decision taken, after this match which was initially awarded to S. Thomas'.

The true essence of this friendly rivalry extends beyond the moulding of such exceptional sportsmanship from both schools, to experience that atmosphere of gaiety, goodwill and camaraderie, refreshing those reminiscences of true sportsmanship, exceeding expectations.

We advice you not to delay, as the tickets for the unique Day / Night 50 overs extravaganza this year on March 19 at R Premadasa stadium is "fast selling out" at the S. Thomas' OBA Secretariat Mt. Lavinia and the Royal College Union Office in Colombo.

Floreat / Esto Perpetua