This was revealed to the media by the Royal College Principal, S. H. Kumarasinghe, at a media conference held at the St. Joseph's College board room on Friday.
Kumarasinghe, said that right through these hundred years without interruption, Royal has had very cordial relations with St. Joseph's, a college which has been in the forefront of not only sports but all other spheres as well, contributing thereby much to the enrichment of society and the community as a whole.
Rector of St. Joseph's, Fr. Victor Silva, said that Royal, the oldest school being 162 years, has a very impressive record and our association with Royal, from the day we were founded in 1898, has been very pleasant and congenial, and a healthy rapport has been maintained right through these 100 years. He was thankful to Royal, for coming forward to host this historic cricket encounter.
The years of Royal/Josephian cricket, has swiftly flown by and one views with nostalgia, the scores of cricketers who have passed through these colleges, bringing in their wake honour to the college and country.
It is invidious to mention names in an exercise of this nature, nor would space permit, but suffice it to say that most of them imbibing the fine virtues that this glorious game imports, turned out to be gentlemen of high order, who did the country proud in their accredited fields.
For the purpose of record, Royal was founded in 1835 while St. Josephs in 1898, and the first encounter was held in 1898, with St. Joseph's winning 25 times and Royal 20.
A one-hundred-year record in any endeavour, is worthy of emulation in a manner befitting the occasion. The Joint Committee, is doing, everything possible, to make the Royal/Josephian cricket match scheduled for 24 and 25 February at the Royal College grounds, a memorable and an enjoyable one. On January 24 at 8.30 am, the opening ceremony will commence with the release of 2000 gas filled balloons, which will be followed by the march past of former cricket captains and the two teams will be introduced to the chief guest, Fr. Joe Demel, a fine cricketer and sportsman of St. Josephs.
The two school bands will be in attendance. Prizes will be awarded to the best batsman, best bowler, best fielder and the man of the match.
A souvenir will also be published to commemorate the event. A dinner for the two teams and past captains have been arranged on January 25 at the SSC.