This picture was taken in Colombo, Sri Lanka in 2004, at the 70th Josephian-Peterite match played at the Oval. Four great Peterite cricketers – three of whom live abroad enjoy the day's play reminiscing the grand ole days when they themselves held sway and walked on the same grounds playing for their Alma Mater in what is popularly known as, the "Battle of the Saints".
On extreme left is Richard (Dickie) Alles who played for St. Peter's College in 1959, 1960 and 1961. Behind him is Gary von Bergheim, an old Peterite living now in Australia. To his right is David Heyn, who captained SPC in 1964 and to his right is Travis Fernando, another Peterite captain in 1965. On the extreme right in a red checked shirt is none other than Anton Perera – rated the fastest schoolboy bowler who donned the college blazer from 1957-1960 (both years inclusive).
"We are indebted to the sender of this memorable picture that is worth a million words. However, to put things into perspective, please see brief notes on each of the subjects in the image," says Upali Obeyesekere – President, JPAA Canada.
DAVID HEYN – 2nd son of General B.R. Heyn (former Army Commander) and wife Edna – captained St. Peter's College in 1964 while his older brother Richard captained SPC in 1962. Peter David Heyn is a former Ceylon/Sri Lankan cricketer who played 18 unofficial tests from 1966 to 1976, and two ODIs in the World Cup 1975. David is widely regarded as one of the best cover point fielders ever to represent Sri Lanka. David began his cricket career at St Peter's College in Colombo, where he represented the school from 1961 to 1964, captaining in 1964. He also represented Colombo Schools against the Indian Schoolboys in that same year.
He represented the Burgher Recreation Club whilst in school, and played there until the 1969/70 season. He then played for the Nondescripts Cricket Club from 1970/71 until 1975/76, captaining in the 1974/75 season.
His first-class debut was in 1964, playing 50 matches in total and compiling four hundreds (the highest being 136 against Indian Universities at Bangalore in December 1975). Note – at the time only Ceylon/Sri Lanka matches against foreign sides were classified as first-class.
As Sri Lanka were unlikely to attain full test status at the time, Heyn emigrated to England in 1976. Here he played for Richmond Cricket Club in the Middlesex County Cricket League until 1983, captaining in 1979 and 1980. In 1979 he set a batting record with 5 hundreds in the league season.
In 1981 he played 4 games for Berkshire in the Minor Counties Championship – unfortunately, further appearances were not possible due to work & family commitments.
In 1984 he retired completely from the game at the age of 39, having played a season for Lensbury Cricket club.
David lives in London, England but visits Sri Lanka on and oft. He plans on visiting his home country next month and will be an interested spectator at the 80th Joe-Pete Cricket Encounter at the Oval.
TRAVIS FERNANDO played for St. Peter's from 1961 – 1965. He captained in 1965, and led the Peterites to a six wicket victory in 1965, after a lapse of 10 years. Lawrence Heyn (David & Richard's cousin who lives "down under") has this to say about 1965. "Cricket, to me, took on a magical quality in 1965. It was the last time the big match was played at Bambalapitiya and skipper Travis Fernando signed off in style. The left-armer mesmerised the Joes with his spin and then opener Darrel Wimalaratne led a dashing chase of a victory target of 94 runs in 50 minutes. The first ball Wimalaratne faced was hooked for six, with the ball landing in the pavilion’s upper level among the feet of the dignitaries." Travis lives in Colombo and heads a large tea exporting company. He contributes much of his spare time to his Alma Mater and keeps in touch with the overseas branches as well.
ANTON PERERA passed away just last week on February 20, 2014, in Los Angeles from complications arising of a medical condition. He was 72 at the time of his death. Please see other posts on this website for tributes to Anton and details of his memorial service that is scheduled to take place on Saturday, March 1, 2014, in Southern California.
RICHARD ALLES – Richard (Dickie) Alles passed away in November 2008, in Australia. Richard was a straight bat and played for his school in 1959, 1960 and 1961. His opening partner in 1959 was Mark de Silva and the pair gave the Peterites a good start making 61 for the 1st wicket. Richard scored 38. In 1960, he scored 31 going in at No.3 and in 1961 he opened with Sam Rajah and made 39.
Richard Alles passes away
Elmo Rodrigopulle – former Benedictine cricketer has this to say in a Daily News article of November 28, 2008.
Richard (Dickie) Alles, the former Peterite cricketer passed away peacefully in Victoria, Australia on Wednesday.
"Dickie" as he was popularly known, played in the sixties for his school and shone as a steady opening batsman. He was also a competent wicket keeper.
He was not a flashy opener in the Gordon Greenidge or Cammie Smith mould, but was very correct always offering a straight bat and many were the good scores he made for his team. He was a stubborn batsman and would not throw away his wicket.
During his school career he played in the company of Desmond Dharmaraja, Anton Perera, Adiel Anghie, Brian Seneviratne, Randolph Layman, Tyronne Le Mercier, Richard Heyn, Didacus de Almedia, Aditha de Silva and Sam Rajah whose names come to mind.
On leaving school he sported Colts CC colours and played in many a match winning team. He had many good score during his tenure with the club.
Brian de Silva an excellent opening bat and stumper from the Bambalapitiya school in the fifties and who was a team mate of Dickie at the Colts described him thus: 'He was a steady opening batsman, more of a back foot player and more than forcing the ball, he would caress it to the open spots on the field to gather his runs.
'Above all he was an excellent team man and was a fine raconteur and he would have his team mates laughing their sides out with his rib-tickling stories, said Brian who himself was a scream at the Colts and of whom Nomis the curator of that time when de Silva was behind the stumps for SPC would relate stories that defies print. We were opponents, Dickie for SPC me for SBC and the friendship we formed while playing for our respective schools continued at the Colts and the Mercantile CA until he bid adieu and left for Australia seeking pastures new.
I met him on one of my tours to Australia while covering the Sri Lanka cricket team's tour and did we not recall those old times and reminisce.
May the turf that Richard walked so honourably lie softly on him. (E.R.)
