Thomas’ College, Mt. Lavinia, will be hosted by Royal College, Colombo, on Friday (4th) at the Royal College Indoor Sports Complex for the 19th Rt. Hon. D. S. Senanayake Challenge Cup annual basketball encounter. The Thomians come in as slight favorites, being the title holders, while the Royalists are eyeing sweet revenge, with their last win coming in 2022.
You can catch the live action from wherever you are in the world, or here at home in the island nation, on ThePapare. The all-important U-19 game is set to start at 5:30 p.m.
Who are the Team Leaders?
Thomas’ College – Yehan Bulathsinghalage (Captain), Naresh Ranjithkumar (Vice Captain)
Royal College – Navija Gamlath (Captain), Oshada Hettiarachchi (Vice Captain)
Rt. Hon. D.S. Senanayake Challenge Cup – Winners
Year Winner
2003 STC
2004 STC
2005 STC
2006 STC
2007 STC
2008 STC
2009 STC
2010 RC
2011 RC
2012 RC
2013 RC
2014 RC
2015 STC
2016 Not played
2017 RC
2018 STC
2019 STC
2020 Not played
2021 Not played
2022 RC
2023 STC
Overall Tally – 11 (S.Thomas’) – 7 (Royal)
The inaugural Royal-Thomian Basketball encounter, played for the Rt. Hon. D. S. Senanayake Challenge Trophy, was held in 2003 with S. Thomas’ winning. The Thomians maintained a 6-year winning streak. Later, Royal bounced back to win five in a row with 2010 being their first win in the series. The game was not held in 2016, 2020, and 2021. After 18 encounters, the overall tally stands at 11 wins for S. Thomas’ College and 7 wins for Royal College.
Here’s a look back at the 18th Encounter held last year (2023)
Under-19 : Thomians led by skipper Thishan Perera and his deputy double coloursman in rugby and basketball Yehan ‘Bula’ Bulathsinghalage helped regain the Cup by defeating archrivals Royal 71-54 at the Sri Lanka Air Force Indoor Basketball Complex.
Final score-card : 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Total
Thomas’ 19 18 19 15 71
Royal 16 10 10 18 54
Under-17 : S. Thomas’ beat Royal 62-61
Old boys : Old Royalists beat Old Thomians 47-39
Under-17 special awards – 2023
- Best Defensive Player – Ashel Ambawatte (Royal)
- Best Offensive Player – K.A. Ramanayake (STC)
- Most Valuable Player – Nathan Fernando (STC)
Under-20 special awards – 2023
- Best Defensive Player – Dulina de Silva (RC)
- Best Offensive Player – Jaden Rodrigo (STC)
- Most Valuable Player – Yehan Bulathsinghalage (STC)
This year’s encounter is expected to be a fierce battle with Royal fighting for lost glory and S. Thomas’ in a battle to prove themselves as worthy title holders. It’s game on!
Related Articles :
- Photos – 18th Royal-Thomian Basketball Encounter
- REPLAY – 18th Royal-Thomian Basketball Encounter
- 17th D. S. Senanayake Challenge Trophy – A Royal Victory