Experience and seasonal performances are at contrasting ends when Royal College and S. Thomas’ College meet in the landmark 130th Battle of the Blues encounter commencing on March 12 at the SSC Ground.

Unbeaten Royal skippered by Yasitha Abeykoon are fielding an experienced side that has nine coloursmen and on their back they have a remarkable nine outright victories.

S. Thomas’ captained by Ravinthiraraja Nirushan goes with a freasher-laden side with only three coloursmen bringing much needed experience. S. Thomas’ recorded outright victories against Dharmaraja College, Kandy, Isipatana College and Wesley College while going down to St. Joseph’s and Ananda Colleges this season.

Royal beat one of the best teams in Colombo, Ananda College, and beat Nalanda College, Trinity College, Dharmaraja College, Richmond College, St. Sebastian’s College, St. Benedict’s College, Isipatana College and Lumbini Vidyalaya.

Royal’s batting machines Bhanuka Rajapakse, Kithruwan Withanage and Kusal Janith are likely to prove their form in the three day battle while skipper Yasith Abeykoon, former captain Haroon Mowjood and Maneesha Thanthirigoda will control the bowling department.

Royal can relay on their batting trio Rajapakse, Withanage and Janith who have scored heaps of runs this season. Rajapakse and Withanage both have scored over 1000 runs this season while Janith has scored over 800 runs.

Fourth year coloursman Yasith Abeykoon will spearhead Royal attack while spinners Haroon Mawjood and Maneesha Tantrigoda will control spin. Tantrigoda played a role in many Royal victories and has picked up 68 wickets while Abeykoon and Mawjood, the other leading wicket takers have over 40 wickets to their credit.

S. Thomas’ will heavily depend on opener Fahim Saleem, skipper Nirushan and Chamod Pathirana in the batting department. Saleem is their top scorer with a heap of over 1000 runs and Nirushan has scored over 700 runs while Pathirana has scored around 600 runs.

Leg spinner Chamal Fonseka who has a haul of over 70 wickets will be the player to watch in their bowling department while paceman and deputy skipper Dinesh Walpita and Chamod Pathirana control pace.