{"id":107752,"date":"2023-01-24T15:12:56","date_gmt":"2023-01-24T15:12:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/?p=107752"},"modified":"2023-01-24T15:14:04","modified_gmt":"2023-01-24T15:14:04","slug":"when-royal-toured-australia-in-1936-by-richard-dwight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/when-royal-toured-australia-in-1936-by-richard-dwight\/","title":{"rendered":"When Royal Toured Australia in 1936-by Richard Dwight"},"content":{"rendered":"

When Royal Toured Australia in 1936 <\/span><\/h2>\n

Pat McCarthy impresses Woodful<\/span><\/h2>\n

by Richard Dwight <\/em><\/strong><\/span>– Daily News, Saturday 14 Feb 2004<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Royal<\/p>\n

\"Royal<\/p>\n

The Royal College cricket team of 1936 which toured Australia.<\/span><\/p>\n

Standing (L-R)<\/strong>: Lucien de Zoysa, Pat McCarthy, S. Pathmanathan, W.B.V. Thiedeman, David Vollenhoven, E.F.E. de Krester, J.W. Subasinghe, D.R.R. Porritt.<\/span><\/p>\n

Seated (L-R)<\/strong>: F.H. de Saram, Mr. L.H.W. Sampson (Principal), Ryle de Soysa (Capt.), Mr. L.V. Gooneratne (Master-in-charge), M. Sivanathan.<\/span><\/p>\n

Seated on Ground (L-R)<\/strong>: A.I. Macan Markar, Robert de Krester.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the sphere of annual cricket encounters Royal College and S. Thomas\u2019 College have since the series began in 1880 done exceedingly well to arrive at this point of time to notch its 125th<\/sup> encounter next month at the SSC grounds \u2013 a veritable landmark indeed in the annals of cricket of these two leading colleges.<\/span><\/p>\n

A sustained unbroken partnership of 125 years maintained without interruption even during the period of war and otherwise is truly a commendable achievement, that bespeaks of deep commitment and loyalty in the greater cause and common good.<\/span><\/p>\n

A traditional Big Match of this magnitude and nature, often spoken of as the \u2018Battle of the Blues\u2019, has through the years developed a healthy character and identity of its own. So much so, that apart from the cricket played, there is also much fellow feeling amidst festive gaiety and revelry, which draws many to it from here and abroad. Comparatively, therefore, it\u2019s not just another school match, but a major happening, that gives it a right to be regarded as the oldest schools\u2019 cricket encounter of the world, of which not only the two colleges, but the country as a whole, could be proud of.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

And so as a run up to this historic match, much has been said and written concerning these two cricket playing colleges, with more nostalgic moments and incidents to come as we get nearer to the date.<\/span><\/p>\n

One amongst others that dwell in the mind is the venturesome enthusiasm that took hold of the Royal College Cricket team of 1936 \u2013 when the cricketers that year eagerly responded to the prospect of making a tour to Australia. This enterprising idea was the brainchild of the far-seeing, visionary Principal of Royal, Mr. L.H.W. Samson.<\/span><\/p>\n

It was a bold effort in the learning experience, when one realises that travel was confined to sea and the fact that there weren\u2019t proper sophisticated facilities for communications too.<\/span><\/p>\n

History therefore was created in the annals of Royal College Cricket when as a part of its centenary year celebrations, the college cricket team embarked on a \u201945-day\u2019 tour of Australia in March of 1936.<\/span><\/p>\n

Undoubtedly it was the first time that a school team left the shores of the country and perhaps, a representative side as well from Ceylon itself.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ryle de Soysa, who had played for Royal from 1934 had the rare privilege and singular honour of leading the side, with Mr. L.V. Gooneratne as Manager and the Principal L.H.W. Sampson<\/span><\/p>\n

accompanying the team. The members of that historic team were Ryle de Soysa (Capt.), M. Sivanathan, F.H. de Saram, Bunny Thiedeman, S. Pathmanathan, David Vollenhoven, D.R.R. Porritt, Pat McCarthy, E.F.E. de Krester, Lucien de Soysa, A.I. Macan Markar and J.W. Subasinghe.<\/span><\/p>\n

The team played five matches, drawing four where in some Royal led on the first innings and lost to St. Peter\u2019s College, Adelaide. The most eventful match of the tour was against Melbourne High School where the Principal of Melbourne High and Australian Cricket Captain, W.M. (Bill) Woodful was highly impressed with Pat McCarthy\u2019s batting and fielding and the all-round ability of Keith Miller of his school, which made him say that they were future prospects for their respective countries, while Ryle de Soysa was adjudged the best all-rounder.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Bill<\/span><\/p>\n

Incidentally Ryle\u2019s brother, Harold de Soysa was the first Ceylonese Anglican Bishop, who played cricket for Royal. The entire Royal squad that Ryle led to Australia, comprised six Burghers, four Sinhalese, two Tamils and a Muslim, verily a cosmopolitan side indeed. It must be mentioned that the fair complexioned Burgher cricketers did lend much colour to the game of cricket with a charisma and aura of his own. And with their customed, assertive and aggressive approach, had the knack of making decisive contributions at crucial moments.<\/span><\/p>\n

Alas it\u2019s pity they are no longer around now. Most of those who played the game in the good old days, were not only excellent cricketers but<\/span><\/p>\n

emerged as fine gentleman. And it does us well, to now and then, go back in time, to reminisce over those glorious days of the distant past, which refreshingly soothes the mind.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"M.<\/span><\/p>\n

M. Sivanathan \u2013 Royal College Skipper 1937 and Vice-Captain to Ryle de Soysa in 1936.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Royal<\/span><\/p>\n

Extracts from the article \u2018An Unique Event: The Royal College Tour of Australia in 1936\u2019 <\/strong>by Senaka Weeraratna<\/span><\/p>\n