St. Joseph’s College Maradana and St. Peter’s College Bambalapitiya two traditional rivals once again will meet in their 90th Battle of the Saints big match which is scheduled to be played on March 22 and 23 at the SSC, starting from 9.45a.m.
Out of the 89 big matches fought for the Rev. Fr. Maurice Le Goc Memorial Trophy, the Josephians lead the tally with 12 wins while St Peter’s have recorded 10 wins.
St Peter’s having good cricketing history and has produced top cricketers like Roy Dias and paceman Rumesh Ratnayake. Roy Dias who played first Test later became National coach as well as National under 19 coach while Rumesh Ratnayake one time National team Interim coach and presently serves as National women’s team coach.
Former National all rounder Russal Arnold who is present International TV cricket commentator, former paceman Mario Villawarayan who was former National team Trainer and off spinner Niranjan Dabare are also good products of St. Peter’s. Rohan Buultjens, the talented skipper later represented Sri Lanka Board Presidents XI and David Heyn the most prolific player and superb fielder later represented National side from St Peter’s.
Former National paceman late Tony Opatha and Keerthi Gunaratne who later became St. Peter’s coach are also fine Peterite products. Amal Silva the former National wicket keeper later became a National selector and Vinodan John who is present Chairman of the National Junior Cricket Selection Committee are old Peterites.
Former St Peter’s legendary cricketer Dr. H. I. K. Fernando (captained 1951) played for Ceylon from 1953 to 1970 and was a stylish batsman and wicket keeper. Old Peterite former National under 19 player Andri Berenger had the rare opportunity of represented both Sri Lanka Under 19 team and five years later UAE national team at the World Cup.
Former Sri Lanka opener Malinda Warnapura the former St. Peter’s skipper had very rare distinction of scoring centuries at both big match and one dayer in same year did wonderful service later as St. Peter’s coach now based in New Zealand as a club coach while Kaushal Lokuarachchi, Angelo Perera, Dushan Hementha and latest addition to the National one day team Janith Liyanage are products of St. Peter’s. Jehan Jayasuriya, Mahesh Perera Santhush Gunatilleka, Chatura Pieris, Akshu Fernando, Lakshina Rodrigo are old Peterites who got chance to represented National under 19 team. Santhush Gunatilleka who scored college highest total of unbeaten 252 runs also named for National Test squad in 2020 against South Africa.
Angelo Perera the former St Peter’s skipper and college highest scorer amassed 1560 runs in 2008/2009 season. L.H Sunil the most successful junior coach who did fine service earlier was the man behind most Peterite cricketers in recent past. Their long time Master in charge Wasantha Haputhanthri also remembered for his fine service.
This season Peterites, led by Sri Lanka Youth player Vishen Halambage, have experienced fluctuating fortunes, with their unbeaten record tarnished by Royal. In fact St. Peter’s skipper Halambage and Rusanda Gamage both represented National under 19 for recently concluded under 19 World Cup are their two key players having vast experience and that is plus point for St. Peter’s. Peterites having a strong batting line up and they have four centurions in the side. Skipper Halambage, Rusanda Gamage, Oween Salgado and Dilana Damsara are the centurions.
However their vice captain Shennon Rodrigo is the best all rounder of the side. Rusanda Gamage the experienced batter has more than 500 runs with 2 centuries and a fifty. Skipper Halambage has scored over 450 runs with a century and two fifties while Rusanda Gamage having over 500 runs with two centuries and a fifty but both Halambage and Gamage played only 9 matches due to National duty. Dilana Damsara has scored over 650 runs with two centuries and 4 fifties. Oween Salgado has scored over 550 runs with a century and a fifty. Asadisi Thejana de Silva is the highest scorer of the side having more than 700 runs with five half centuries.
Shannon Rodrigo has scored over 650 runs with 4 fifties while being a more effective leg spinner having over 60 wickets with 5 five- wicket hauls and match bag of ten wickets in a match. The useful spinner Halambage already took over 25 wickets while Lakshan Perera having over 30 wickets, Isira Ayupala over 20 wickets and Rithil Suraweera are the other useful bowlers in the side. St. Peter’s official scorer D. N. Pasthirana has been a great strength for the team.
St. Peter’s always having fighting spirit and both Joes and Peterite teams possess talented players but most important thing is to play positive cricket.
The coach Mohan Liyanage and Master in charge Nirmalath Priyadharshana the College Physical Education teacher always backed them with blessings of Principal Rev. Fr. Rohitha Rodrigo and Sports Coordinator Rev. Fr. Milan Bernard who is the primary Principal crossed over from St Joseph’s. St Peter’s always wanted to keep the winning trophy and it’s already belongs to Peterites with last victory under Vinu Mohotti in 2016. Last seven matches ended with no decisions.
Following the two-day encounter, the 50th limited-over match will play for Fr. Peter A. Pillai Trophy, is scheduled for April 6 at the SSC ground. St. Joseph’s currently leads the tally with 25 wins, having won last year, compared to St. Peter’s 21 wins, with two matches washed out and one ending in a tie.
Dhammika Ratnaweera