When skipper Hyasti Aponso led Cambrians to an innings win over Royal...

by Dilwin Mendis - Moratuwa Sports Corr.

CRICKET: Cricket activities started in Moratuwa long time back — actually Moratuwa started cricket long ago - even before it was properly organised in Colombo.

Prince of Wales and Princess of Wales of Moratuwa are two of the oldest educational institutions which were founded by one of the greatest philanthropists of the island — Sir Charles Henry de Soysa in 1876. In the same year he introduced cricket to Prince of Wales.

First cricket at Prince of Wales was played by the tutorial staff and it was in 1896 organised school cricket came to the fore and it was with J.G.C. Mendis at the helm of affairs.

Prince of Wales was the only one out of the older schools to own a substantial playing field from the start. Royal College started cricket in the back verandah of the church, S. Thomas’ was at Mutwal, Wesley was in a Mission House at Dam Street, Pettah and Trinity College was also in a Mission House in 1857.

None of the schools had the same facilities as Prince of Wales prior to 1900 - the only other school was St. Joseph’s College. While other schools quickly got going in getting turf strips, Prince of Wales played on matting till 1993 and then got a turf strip in 1993 which was ceremonially opened by Minister Tyronne Fernando.

In the year 1896 Prince of Wales started inter-school cricket with three matches in the third term — the matches were against Royal, S. Thomas’ and Wesley. These three matches have become traditional games and even now these matches figure on their fixture list.

When the Cambrians celebrated their cricket centenary in 1996, a friendly game of cricket was played against Royal. Royal was captained by Anushka Polonowita - a son of a former Cambrian Anuruddha Polonowita while Prince of Wales was led by Suranga Wijenayake. The Cambrians won that match.

In the very first year — that’s 1896, the Cambrians lost to the Royalists by a huge margin of an innings and 247 runs.

The Cambrians batting first were all out for just 27 runs with Royalist, A. Bevan claiming 5 for 17. In reply, Royal made 293 with the two half-centuries A. Peglotte getting 65 and F. Obeysekera 56. In the second innings Cambrians were bowled out for just 19 runs with Bevan claiming 6 for 8 which gave him match figures of 11 for 25, stands as a record for both schools until this day.

During the last 115 years Royal have met Prince of Wales at cricket and most of the victories have gone Royal’s way and even the drawn encounters have been in Royal’s favour. In recent times the match is played for the Dr. O.L.F. Senaratne Challenge Trophy. O.L.F. Senaratne who is a Royalist, after consulting the then Principal old Cambrian H.L.B. Gomes, donated this trophy. This trophy will be at stake on February 19 and 20 when the Royal vs Prince of Wales match will be played at Reid Avenue.

Lieversz - hat-trick

The prelude to the main season — the inter-school matches of each third term has had some interesting clashes down the years. In 1961 third term, Prince of Wales played Royal, S. Thomas’, St. Peter’s, St. Joseph’s and Wesley. The match between Prince of Wales and Royal produced interesting fare. Royal were led by Darrell Lieversz and Hyasti Aponso captained Prince of Wales.

Royal batted first and were skittled out for 58 runs. Merl Mendis of Prince of Wales had a devastating spell and captured 6 for 19.

The Cambrians then made a strong reply with 236 runs with Hyasti Aponso making a fine 115. Lieversz took 5 for 52. In the second innings Royal made 139 which gave the Cambrians a win by an innings and 39 runs.

Royal, however, had one consolation that skipper Darrell Lieversz had a hat-trick in the Prince of Wales first innings total of 236. His figures were 12.5 overs no maidens 52 runs and 5 wickets.