Picture Gallery | Inter Batch Cricket Tournament - 11th July, 2009 @ the big club grounds.

GALA THOMIAN FESTIVAL 2^ND TIME AROUND … MT. LAVINIA ROCKS ON …!!!

It was once again a fantastic display of steely determination, coupled with meticulous organizing and clinical execution that was witnessed at S. Thomas’ College “Big Club” grounds last Saturday the 11^th of August as the Mt. Lavinia lads concluded their 2^nd Annual “Inter-Collegiate Batch Sixes” cricket carnival.

The weather gods appeared to have learnt their lesson from last year, when they tried to keep the lads at bay with sheets of rain hitting them with cross-winds over the Indian Ocean (which could still not defy the traditional Thomian grit in any event), since this time around they over compensated with unlimited sunshine making it a beautiful day for Cricket; the simmering heat perhaps proving a tad too much for their newly inducted 17^th Warden, the Rev. Dr. John C. Puddefoot, MA (Oxon), BD and his wife Susan, who officiated at the opening. The collective gathering of the Thomian fraternity, old boy batches from Mt. Lavinia, Guruthalawa, Kollupitya and Bandarawela took to the field and thoroughly enjoyed a full days cricket, with their families and friends, the cheer-leaders and merrymakers adding to the atmosphere of the occasion within the hallowed precincts of their beloved Alma Mater.

A unique feature of this tournament, of what has now become an “annual event” was that 24 old boy batch teams spanning four decades, ranging from the 70’s to the present, from all four affiliated schools were involved in playing 4 matches at any one time in this tournament which was worked off in a league format. Their gutsy will at friendly but competitive cricket was unparalleled, whilst the organisers ensured that the events rolled-on; and concluded successfully as scheduled. A relatively younger 1997 A/L batch emerged champions with the “not so old” 1989 A/L following as runners up, as they were last year . 

The STC Class of ’90, a batch of staunch old boys who organised this event to raise funds to complete the Pavilion & Tuck Shop building, the first stage of which they had completed with the funds raised last year, had planned for every detail. So whilst cricket remained the focal point there was something for everyone to engage in, including bouncers & rides for the kids, fairground games, trade stalls, vintage cars, DJ music & papare bands with petite cheer leaders to keep everyone in “the mood”’. Massive discounts from several sponsors and even a free health check-up was provided for at this one-of-a-kind, amazing cricket carnival. It was yet another “Thomian first” extravaganza that very few but these lads from the “School by the Sea” know how to pull off in grand style - time after time! Thanking all their sponsors, the wider Thomian community and all well wishers of STC for their support, the organizing committee happily proclaimed that it was well worth all their time and effort, and that based on this success of the last two years, they planned to continue this as a recurring annual event on the Thomian calendar. Pictures of the event can be viewed at their official website - www.stcmlclassof1990.org or the OBA website at www.stcmloba.org. 

Esto Perpetua!
Organising Committee - Colombo, 7th^th Jul ’09.