A spectacular cricket encounter between Royal College and S. Thomas’ College has just concluded. This match is laden with so much history and decorum, and has produced amazing players to our national team for decades. The way we used to gel with classmates at the match venue (and other post match venues) would always remain close to our hearts. My thoughts race back to the match of 1992. My first big match experience, as a vibrant spectator. I was 16-years-old then and going for the match was a mark of maturity those days. Other classmates were boasting of the things they would do at the frenzied match tents to bewildered schoolgirls in the double decker bus. Of these claims perhaps only 50% came to pass.
School closed early on Wednesday afternoon. The traditional dates of the match are Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The cycle parade was being held that afternoon. A stern class master unleashes a warning that the boys should not misbehave. Similar sentiments were echoed later by Rev. Duleep de Chickera, who years later rose to become the dynamic Bishop of Colombo. Our entire class of 32 had agreed to meet outside the school gate, and go to the match venue. That entire week we saw our friends from Bishops College and Methodist College wearing on their hands, bands of blue and black. The prudent girls from Ladies College played neutral, and perhaps still do given their close proximity to Reid Avenue!
We dressed in shades of blue and black. Our transport arrived – a white hi-ace van. Not many fancy jeeps those days. I am still bewildered as to how we all squeezed into this vehicle. As we passed Borella junction some traffic police officers gazed at the van in surprise. Songs were sung in vocal disharmony with hints of beatboxing. There were no facebook posts then or updates on instagram. As we neared Serpentine Road, the traffic was moving slowly. Policemen were deployed at the gates. The P. Sara Stadium was filled with multitudes. As we approached the Blue and Black tent, the pulsating beats of the papare band echoed. By 12 noon the bands tempo had reached a dazzling momentum, as some were under the influence of liquor. Everyone was dancing or attempting to do so. The aroma of tobacco was quite pungent.
The floor of the tent was littered with polythene sachets. A fat baldheaded soul was dancing at top gear and stepped on a polythene sheet. Suddenly, he was thrust towards the band with increased velocity. A comical crash resulted. The brass cymbal was sent into orbit landing on the head of a Police Sergeant. That agitated soul, who was standing for hours already burdened by match duty, unleashed a volley of uncouth warnings. The music came to a standstill. Seconds later the tent exploded with laughter and the good sergeant walked away.
There were no burgers or subs to snack on then. Pizza was not heard of in sunny paradise. Yet the enterprising denizens of Wanathamulla (a locality of hardcore tough guys then) had harnessed the culinary talents of their women and sold an assortment of savories. You ate at your own risk, and dare not complain; the menu included devilled thora maalu (seer fish) and deep fried chicken drumsticks encrusted with sauce.
The rolls would have been folded by tattooed hands. The unsophisticated sales girls displayed smoothly oiled legs, and sales blossomed. The ‘happy hour’ on unlicensed beer lasted many hours! Thankfully, I remained sober, to remember this narrative. I must mention that consuming liquor is not a wise choice, as you must remain long enough to see your grandson’s big match!! A moment of silence and confusion on the field as the umpire seemed to be puzzled about an LBW decision. A wise Royalist shouted, “I say umpire, learn or depart.” Ripples of high octane laughter resonated from both tents.
The memories of that match were so intense. The unfolding years have impacted our lives in many aspects with classmates going overseas. Yet the bonds of brotherhood from school remain steadfast to this day. One must have fun but also firmly establish an academic interest in any field - remembering that knowledge has no compromise. Social media content must gladly be used to build your image and that of your friends. School girls (and other women) are partners in our school journey and not objects of sexual pleasure; they must receive respect at all times. As you leave school, life will challenge you with greater encounters, than cricket. You must learn, establish good decision making skills and character. The flag must always sway with success.
