The original match was played between the Colombo Academy and S. Thomas' College, Mutwal in 1879, with schoolmasters and schoolboys participating.

[1][2][3][4][5][6] In 1880, only the students took part and this first official encounter between the Colombo Academy and S. Thomas' College, Mutwal in Modara was played at Galle Face Grounds, which is today the site of the Taj Samudra Hotel.

The Beira Lake stretched up to the present railway line close to San Sebastian Hill and the two teams rowed across in boats to the Galle Face Grounds.

On the day before the match, the students of each school take a walk around the city in a "cycle parade" with bands and decorations and other colourful items showing support for their team.

Overloaded cars with supporters singing and careering along the Colombo streets is a familiar sight during match days.

The match is looked forward to by both the young and old, male and female, and even those who have no connection with either school turn up and enjoy the celebrations.