Dharmaraja-Kingswood highlights

by Upananda JAYASUNDERA - Kandy Sports Special Corr.

CRICKET: The historic 104th cricket encounter between kingswood College and Dharmaraja College will be played on March 5 and 6 at the Asgiriya International Stadium.

Some extracts of the history of the 'Big Match'.

First match between Dharmaraja and Kingswood played at Bogambara grounds in the year 1896. Dharmaraja team led by the Principal Mr. D.B. Jayatilake (Later Sir D.B. Jayatilake) and Kingswood by Mr. W.E. Gratiaen. The two teams included members of the staff.

Under the guidance of Mr. E.H. Spencer, the second master of Kingswood and a sportsman above average all teams were made exclusively of students. Kingswood was captained by T.B. Marshall and Dharmaraja by J.C. de Mel that was in 1899.

One-run win

The match in 1907 ended in an exciting finish by 1 run at the Match played at Bogambara grounds on 19th October 1907. Kingswood won by one run.

1914 saw a close win by Dharmaraja by 3 runs. A. Jayasundara of Dharmaraja captured 7 wickets for 8 runs.

1916 there was a record.... R. Burke of Kingswood captured 8 wickets for 7 runs and Kingswood won by an innings and 24 runs.

There was a record low score in 1918 at the Match played at Bogambara. Dharmaraja all out for 9 runs. Kingswood had the unique distinction of dismissing Dharmaraja in one innings for 9 (nine) runs, which to-date is the lowest score in an innings in any inter-school match. Similarly Royal had been dismissed for exacly the same score (9 runs) in a Royal-Thomian encounter.

Two centuries were scored in 1942 .... Two centuries scored on the first innings by Rajans P.L. Arthur Alwis 121 (the first century in the series) and T.B. Talwatta (Captain) 104 not out Dharmaraja won the match by an innings and 152 runs.

1951 match ended in an exciting win for Kingswood: KCK led by left-handed skipper Shelton Perera scored 321 for 3 and the Rajans scoring 133 & 197. Having had to score 10 runs in 6 balls and one run in 2 balls, which KCK did with a ball to spare. Winning stroke was by the skipper Shelton Perera.