In a gripping U19 Division One Final, Royal College and St. Sebastian’s were declared joint champions after a hard-fought battle that showcased the very best of Sri Lanka’s schoolboy cricket. The game ebbed and flowed across two innings each, but what stood out was Royal’s remarkable skill, discipline, and resilience — qualities that earned them equal billing alongside their storied rivals.
Batting first, Royal mustered 201, with Dushen Udawela’s fighting 46 not out providing the backbone against some incisive bowling from Malintha Devruwan (4/37) and Ryan Dissanayake (4/62). St. Sebastian’s replied in kind, also finishing with 201, anchored by Kaweesha Perera’s 56 and Ryan Nilesh’s obdurate 47*, while Sandul Abeywardena’s 5/78 kept Royal in the contest. The game hung on a knife’s edge with the last pair of St. Sebastian’s needing 10 runs to win on the first innings, but the Royalists rose to the challenge and managed to prise out the final wicket, leaving the scores level.
The second innings brought out Royal’s grit. With regular captain Ramiru Perera away on national U19 duty, and Vimath Dimsara captaining the Sri Lanka youth team, the mantle fell to Rehan Pieris. He rose superbly to the challenge, compiling a polished 65 that not only steadied his side but also carried him beyond the 1,000-run milestone for the season. Supported by Hirun Liyanarachchi’s 47 and another invaluable knock from Udawela (46), Royal pushed to 252 for 9, with Devruwan again impressing for Sebs with 5/56.
Though the match ended in stalemate, Royal’s dominance across the tournament and their poise in the final underlined why they are rightly celebrated as champions. Their spirit, sportsmanship, and tactical maturity shone through every session, inspiring fans and setting the standard for youth cricket in the country.
This triumph is also a reflection of a wider golden moment for Royal cricket. On the same day, the U17 ‘B’ side won their final, the U15 ‘B’ team booked their spot in the final, while both the U15 ‘A’ and U17 ‘A’ outfits reached the semifinals. Such depth of achievement is no accident; it speaks to a cricketing culture at Reid Avenue that continues to thrive, producing quality players across all age groups.
Behind these achievements lies the tireless effort of the entire coaching staff, whose collective commitment to discipline, skill development, and player welfare has been instrumental in shaping Royal’s sustained success. Their guidance has not only sharpened technical ability but also instilled resilience and confidence, ensuring Royal cricketers continue to excel at the highest levels of school cricket.
As joint champions, Royal can celebrate not just a trophy but the culmination of hard work, talent, and unity. This is a proud moment that will be remembered by Royalists for years — the day when their young cricketers showed that victory is measured not only in results, but also in resilience, preparation, and the promise of even greater things to come.