At a press briefing held on Friday evening at St. Joseph's College Board Room, S. H. Kumarasinghe, Principal of Royal said that this encounter is a unique one and the match will be played with lot of fanfare. For the cricketers of both schools it will be a great occasion and the game should be played with the correct spirit, Mr. Kumarasinghe said that the Josephians have produced top cricketers and other eminent personalities and he hoped that St. Joseph's College will continue to keep the same trend in the years to come.
The Rector St. Joseph's College, Victor Silva said that Royal is the number one school in the island and it is a great honour to play this centenary cricket encounter with Royal. Rector Victor Silva thanked Royal authorities for giving the first fixture way back in 1898, the year St. Joseph's College was founded. Royal should be very proud as they have contributed to the country in a big way. Royal was founded in 1835.
Outstanding cricketers and other great personalities have been produced more by Royal and he hoped that the cricket encounter between Royal and St. Joseph's will continue for years to come.
The first cricket encounter was played in 1898 and the Josephian team was captained by a Royalist Henry A. de Silva while F. A. Obeysekera led the Royal team.
As far as records stand, Joes have won 25 times to Royal 20.
On January 24 at 8.30 a.m., the opening ceremony will commence and 2,000 balloons will be released. March past of the past cricket captains of both schools will be followed by the introduction of the two teams to the chief guest Fr. Joe de Mel, a versatile Josephian cricketer of the past.
The two school bands will be in attendance and the match will commence at 9.30 a.m.
The joint committee of both schools has agreed to award special prizes to the best batsman, best bowler, best fielder and the man of the match. A special Governor will be published too.
A dinner for the two teams and for the past captains of Royal and St. Joseph's have been arranged on January 25 at SSC.