By Dhammika Ratnaweera
Sri Lanka’s premier connectivity provider, Dialog Axiata PLC, has stepped forward to sponsor the Josephian-Peterite encounter for the fifth consecutive year. The 86th Battle of the Saints annual cricket encounter between St. Joseph’s College and St. Peter’s College will be played on the 6th and 7th of March at P. Sara Oval Grounds, Colombo while the two schools will meet at the one day encounter which scheduled to be held on 22nd March at the SSC grounds.
In the past 85 encounters between these two prestigious schools, St Joseph’s have won the trophy 12 times while St Peter’s have bagged the trophy 10 times. Peterites won their last big match in 2016 under the leadership OF Vinu Mohotty while Josephians won their last big match in 2008 under the captaincy of Ruwantha Fernandopulle.
This time, the Josephians will be led by all-rounder Johanne De Zilva, whilst the boys from Bambalapitiya will be under the captaincy of the wicket-keeper batsman, Shannon Fernando. Last year Joseph College coach Roger Wijesuriya crossed over to St Peter’s for the same coaching post while former Sri Lankan leg spinner Niroshan Bandaratilleka for the first time giving his service as a coach to the Josephians.
Rev. Fr. Ranjith Andradi, the Rector of the hosting school of the 86th ‘Battle of the Saints’, St. Joseph’s College, Colombo, said, “the fierce but friendly rivalry between Sri Lanka’s two leading catholic schools for the Rev. Fr. Maurice J. Le Goc Trophy is one of the most looked forward to events in Sri Lanka’s sporting calendar that draws both the young and old. I give my blessings to both schools.”
Rev. Fr. Rohitha Rodrigo, Rector of St. Peter’s College, Colombo, said, “The ‘Battle of the Saints’ annual cricket encounter between St. Joseph’s College, Colombo and St. Peter’s College, Colombo, has a rich history of tradition and comradely for over eight decades. The playing fields of the ‘Battle of the Saints’ have forged many players who have represented the game at the highest level and brought much honour to Mother Lanka. The ‘Big Match’ between our two institutions is one of the most looked forward to events in the Sri Lanka schools cricket calendar and this year will be no exception. I wish both schools the very best to deliver 2 days of exhilarating cricket!”
“We would like to thank the management of Dialog Axiata for the generous gesture to sponsor the 86th encounter of the Annual ‘Battle of the Saints’” were the words echoed by both Rectors. The much looked forward to 46th Josephian-Peterite limited-overs match, which incidentally is the longest-running limited over encounter between schools, is played for the Fr. Peter A Pillai trophy, and will be worked off on the 22nd of March at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) Grounds, Colombo.
Both schools have produced many cricketers, who have had the distinction of representing the national team, with Angelo Mathews, Chaminda Vaas, Thisara Perera, Dimuth Karunarathne, Ashley De Silva, Michael Vandort, Roshen Silva, Sadeera Samarawickrama and Priyamal Perera from St. Joseph’s College and Roy Dias, Rumesh Rathnayake, Russell Arnold, Vinodhan John, Amal Silva, Kaushal Lokuarachchi, Malinda Warnapura and Angelo Perera from St. Peter’s College being a few prominent names.
Hatton National Bank (HNB), American National College (ANC), Ceylinco Life, Elephant House, Keells Krest, Maggi, Ceylon Biscuits Ltd., Jetwing Hotels, Daraz, Privilege Fashions and Sun FM have already come forward to support the event as sponsors.
Nirmalal Perera, Captain of the Josephian XI in 1981, will grace the Big match as the Chief Guest, while Damian Perera who skippered the Peterite XI in 1994, will be the Chief Guest at the limited over game. Further, the members of the 1970 team, led by Hector Perera of St. Joseph’s and Rory Inman of St. Peter’s will grace the 86th edition of the ‘Battle of the Saints’ as the Guests of Honour
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