Our friend Ana Amaranath from Sydney has sent the above image
and note regarding the Over 50’s Royal – Thomian
Cricket Match played in Sydney – Australia on Feb 10th
2008. The author of the Note is Milroy Berenger who was in
Miller B in or about 1963 when our contemporaries migrated
to Mount from Guru.
We place it on our Site for the benefit of interested visitors
The over fifties Royal Thomain match
in Sydney Australia – Feb 10th 2008
This year the match in Sydney had a special flavour to it
as it was played for the Mabel Morrell challenge trophy donated
by Imitiaz Issadeen (OZ Lanka - www) a noble son of S Thomas
College and one of the most colourful personalities that graced
the Thomian tent in the sixties. Mabel Olive Morrell who passed
away, at the tender age of 101 years and nine months, on January
11th 2008 in Sydney, was the College sick room matron who
had served generations of Thomians from 1942 – 1967;
a tenure of 25 years filled with understanding, kindness,
compassion and care. So much so that Thomians, particularly
boarders, often referred to Mrs Morrell as a second mother.
The Thomian team this year was captained by Ananda Amaranath
and Royal was captained by Prasanna Kariyawasam.
February 2008 has been a wet summer in Sydney. The long drought
on the Australian eastern seaboard has been broken by spells
of relentless rain with flash floods and storms. Scheduling
the match was a challenge. We needed a bright sunny day and
a ground that was not water logged. Our tireless organisers
led by Ananda Amaranath (AD if you were in Miller House in
the sixties) managed to book the picturesque oval at Cheltenham
in NSW. It was hidden amongst the suburbs that make up the
upper north shore in Sydney. Play commenced at 12.30 AEST.
To the Royal & STC organisers credit, the respective OBAs
in NSW and the attendees a fun time was had by all. The cater
provided a good mix of food that fed the taste buds of the
prim and proper while the traditional ‘rice packet’
came disguised in a Chinese fast food container and did a
great job to re-energise tired bodies and cramping muscles.
Tradition, tradition, tradition that is what this cricket
match is all about it has nothing to do with winning or losing.
It is a day for merriment, sitting back, watching a bit of
play, meeting old friends and swapping stories. The fact that
it is played annually in Sydney, Melbourne, Colombo, Dubai,
London, Toronto, New York and Los Angles is a testimony to
the passion that drives old Royalists and Thomians to relive
their school days. However, nothing happens without a structure
and due form. In this regard those old boys who elect to serve
on the respective OBA committees around the world on a voluntary
basis are to be saluted for their dedicated generosity. At
the end of the match due form was adhered to in keeping with
the best traditions of the sporting rivals.
Major Award Winners:
•Best Batsman - Rajkumar Karunairatnam ( RC )
•Best Bowler - Vimal Jayanetti ( STC )
•Best Fielder - Shan Ching ( STC )
•Man of the Match - Randy Morrell ( STC )
Winners: STC
Many thanks to Indrakumar Jayawardena & Charuka Abhayawickrema
for doing the scoring.
Many thanks to Damayanthi Kariyawasam for organising &
running the food stall.
Results of the match:
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