Dharmaraja vs Kingswood – United Kingdom Big Match
Sunday, 9 August 2026 | West Herts Cricket Ground, Watford
The Battle of the Maroons 2026 – Dharmaraja vs Kingswood UK Big Match once again brought the two communities together for a wonderful celebration of sport, tradition, friendship, brotherhood and school spirit.
This year's encounter was particularly special, with four sporting events taking place in a single day – the traditional Cricket Big Match, Rugby Big Match, Softball Cricket and, for the very first time, a T10 Cricket encounter.
It was an ambitious programme, but through the tremendous commitment of players, organisers, volunteers and supporters, a fantastic day of sport and community was delivered.
History Made – Dharmaraja Win the First-Ever T10 Big Match
One of the highlights of this year's event was undoubtedly the introduction of the first-ever T10 Cricket encounter between Dharmaraja and Kingswood in the UK.
In a closely contested match, Kingswood posted 73, before Dharmaraja successfully chased down the target with 74 to become the first-ever winners of the Dharmaraja vs Kingswood UK Big Match T10 encounter.
T10 Final Result
Dharmaraja – 74
Kingswood – 73
The achievement now holds a special place in the history of the Battle of the Maroons – United Kingdom Edition.
First T10 Big Match. First Champions. Dharmaraja.
Softball Cricket – Title Retained
The Softball Cricket encounter once again delivered an entertaining and closely fought contest.
Final Result
Dharmaraja – 31
Kingswood – 31
With the scores level at 31–31, honours were shared. However, having won the Softball encounters in 2023 and 2024, Dharmaraja entered this year's match as defending champions and therefore retained the Softball title following the draw.
The Softball match continues to represent an important part of what the Big Match is about – participation, friendship, friendly rivalry and bringing the wider community together.
Four Years – Four Rugby Victories
The Rugby Big Match once again produced a commanding performance, with Dharmaraja retaining the Indrajit Bandaranayake & Nalaka Weerakkodi Challenge Trophy for the fourth consecutive year.
Final Result
Dharmaraja – 4 Tries
Kingswood – 0 Tries
Dharmaraja crossed the line four times without conceding a single try, maintaining the school's unbeaten record in the UK Rugby Big Match since its inception.
2023 – Dharmaraja
2024 – Dharmaraja
2025 – Dharmaraja
2026 – Dharmaraja
Four encounters. Four victories. Four consecutive titles.
Cricket Big Match – Dharmaraja Win by 49 Runs
The centrepiece of the day's cricket saw Dharmaraja deliver an excellent all-round performance to secure a convincing victory in the 30-over Cricket Big Match.
Dharmaraja – 179/6 (30 overs)
Sandun Weerakkodi – 43
Kingswood – 130 all out (27 overs)
Sandaru Liyanage – 40
Dharmaraja won by 49 runs.
Batting first, Dharmaraja posted a strong 179/6 from the allotted 30 overs, with Sandun Weerakkodi contributing an important 43 runs.
Kingswood responded with determination, but Dharmaraja maintained the pressure with the ball and in the field, dismissing Kingswood for 130 in 27 overs to secure an impressive 49-run victory.
Best Bowler: Ruchira Pupulewatte
Best Batter: Sandaru Liyanage
Player of the Match: Sandun Weerakkodi
A Remarkable Day of Sport
When the final whistle was blown and the last ball had been bowled, the results reflected an exceptionally successful Battle of the Maroons:
- Cricket Big Match – Dharmaraja won by 49 runs
- Inaugural T10 Big Match – Dharmaraja won
- Rugby Big Match – Dharmaraja won, four consecutive titles
- Softball Cricket – Draw, Dharmaraja retained the title
It was a tremendous sporting achievement across all four encounters. However, the Battle of the Maroons is about much more than results.
Chief Guest and Guest of Honour
As Kingswood was the home hosting team in 2026, the Chief Guest was Old Kingswoodian Vipula Gamage, a past President of Kingswood OBU UK and a leader in the Sri Lankan community in the UK.
As the visiting team this year, Dharmaraja honoured Don De Silva as Guest of Honour. A well-respected Old Rajan, Don De Silva has served the Old Boys' Union in many ways, including representing Dharmaraja OBU UK in cricket for over two decades.
Supporting the Players
Dharmaraja OBU UK provided its Big Match Cricket and Rugby players with their playing kits completely free of charge, funded by the OBU without external commercial branding or advertising. Players' refreshments and teas were also supported by the OBU.
The commitment of every player who represented their school in Cricket, T10, Rugby or Softball Cricket was an important part of the day's success.
Taking the Big Match to Another Level
This year's event also represented another step forward in how the Battle of the Maroons is showcased.
Professional photography and videography captured the action throughout the day, alongside drone coverage. Sri Lankan food, music, DJ entertainment, merchandise stalls and raffle activities helped create a genuine family and community atmosphere beyond the sporting action.
The ambition remains to continue improving the Big Match year after year while preserving the traditions and values upon which it was established.
A Community Effort
An event of this scale does not happen by itself.
Behind the day's programme were many hours of planning, meetings, telephone calls, messages, purchasing, transporting equipment, arranging teams, preparing the venue, coordinating officials, organising food and refreshments, media arrangements and countless other tasks that most people never see.
The organisers expressed their appreciation to everyone who arrived early, stayed late, carried equipment, helped with marquees and stalls, assisted the teams, sold raffle tickets and merchandise, supported the organisers, cleaned up afterwards or simply stepped forward whenever something needed doing.
Special thanks also go to the sponsors, supporters, photographers, media partners, DJ and entertainment providers, food vendors, match officials and everyone else who contributed towards making the day possible.
Rivals on the Field – Friends Beyond It
The Battle of the Maroons is also a celebration of the long-standing relationship between the two old boys' communities.
Appreciation goes to Kingswood OBU UK, its committee, players, volunteers, families and supporters, as well as everyone from both OBUs who worked through the Joint Big Match Committee to deliver the event.
Dharmaraja and Kingswood share generations of history and sporting rivalry. The UK Big Match allows those traditions to be preserved thousands of miles away from Kandy while strengthening the friendship between the two old boys' communities.
On the field, they compete fiercely. Beyond the boundary, they remain friends.
Keeping the Rajans Spirit Alive
The Battle of the Maroons 2026 was not simply about winning cricket or rugby matches.
It was about Dharmaraja.
It was about friendship and brotherhood.
It was about tradition.
It was about bringing generations of old boys and their families together.
And most importantly, it was about keeping the Rajans spirit alive in the United Kingdom and passing it proudly to the next generation.
There will always be lessons to take forward, and those lessons can be used positively to make future editions even bigger and better.
But the 2026 Battle of the Maroons was undoubtedly a day to be proud of – a memorable celebration of sport, community, tradition and friendship.
Battle of the Maroons 2026 – Results
- Cricket Big Match Winners – Dharmaraja
- Inaugural T10 Winners – Dharmaraja
- Rugby Champions – Dharmaraja, Four Years Unbeaten
- Softball Champions – Dharmaraja Retain the Title
One Tradition • One Spirit • One Epic Day
Photographs by Praneeth Hettiarachchi
