'MTM' was a doyen of Trinity Cricket and Rugger!

By Hafiz Marikar

M.T.M. Zaruk , better known as 'MTM' was a doyen of Trinity College Cricket and Rugger, where he excelled in both games, and had the privilege of leading both teams, and won Colours and Lion both Cricket and Rugger. In addition he was a senior prefect, a Ryde Gold Medallist and also won the A.H.R. Joseph award for the best allround excellence in games in 1963. In addition, he was the senior prefect along with J.T. Labrooy in 1964 and in 1965 with R.T. Siriwardene. 'MTM' played cricket as a stylish batsman, he led the team in 1964 and 1965 and his teammates were Harindra Dunuwille, A.C. Bartholomeusz, S.B.C. Galgama, E.K.B. Wadugodapitiya, R.B.J. Munaweera, D.C. Ondaatje, Himendra Ranaweera, A.S. Ratwatte, Mohan Sahayam, Glen Vanlangerberg. He won his colours along with A.C. Bartholomeusz in 1962 and the converted cricket Lion in 1965 with Harindra Dunuwille. In 1964 when he captained, S.B.C. Galgama was his vice-captain, then in the year 1965, Harindra Dunuwille was the vice captain.

He was a stylish opening batsmen, and has made many good scores, some of his batting performance were, in 1962 he made a good knock of 52 against Kingswood College, 67 vs St. Joseph's College, then in 1963 - against Ananda 66 not out, 70 not out vs Kingwood College, in 1964 vs Dharmaraja College 61, 101 not out vs St. Anthony's College he made in the Big Match: 1965 vs Dharamaraja College 57, vs St. Anthony's College 50 not out and 168 vs Wesley College.

In 1965 he was picked to lead the Central Zone schools cricket team in the Zonal Cricket Tournament. In the good old days, soon after the school cricket season, the Inter-School Zonel Tournament was conducted in which Central, Western, Northern and Southern provincial teams participated. Soon after this tournament, the Combined Schools team was picked. In that year, M.T.M. Zaruk was selected along with Harindra and Himendra to play for the Combined Schools team. (The same practice like rugger where the Colombo Schools played Outstation Schools and at the end the Combined Team was picked)

Zaruk was a top class ruggerite, and played as scrum half. His first year at rugby was under the leadership of N.T.E. Brohier in that year the first leg of the Bradby went in favour of the Royal at 5-0 and in the 'second leg', Trinity scored 9 points to Royal's no score.

The 'First Leg' of the Bradby ended in a six all draw and in the 'Second Leg' Trinity won 5-3.

In 1964, the team was led by Mohan Sahayam, and 'he paired' with M.T.M. Zarook.

The 'First Leg' of the Bradby was in favour of Trinity 3-0 and the 'Second Leg' went to Royal 14-6.

Then came the year of M.T.M. Zaruk 1965, where the 'First Leg' went in favour of Royal 8-3 and the 'Second' was a 6-all draw.

In 1965, the side was coached by Kandy Sprots Club's ruggerite Miles Christoffelsz. He had a fine career, and was rated as one of the best scrum half's. In 1965 for the 'Capper Cup' game between Up-Country and Low-Country.

'MTM' ousted Sri Lanka scrum half Tyrell Muttiah at practices and was picked to play for the team, but, he had to stay off, due to unwanted problems. If he had played in that game, he had a chance of playing for the country. He won his school rugger colours in 1963 and the Lion in 1965. As a undergraduate, he played rugger for the University Team.

MTM's love for sports, and his firm belief in the benefits of sports and games for the development of one's body.

He was a Graduate in Agriculture, from the Peradeniya University. His father was a famous procter in Kurunegala, M.J.M. Thahir, 'MTM' after marriage, got into his father-in-laws business. His son too played rugger for Trinity College few years back.