Archive | March, 2014

Joe-Pete Rugby

Tags:

Trinity fight-back to beat Joes 34/17

Posted on 29 March 2014 by admin

Hard intelligent running by the Trinity College "threes" in the second half earned them a convincing 34 points ( 1 goal, 3 tries and 4 penalties) to 17 points ( 2 goals and a penalty) to victory in their inter school rugger match against St. Josephs College, at Pallekelle Rugby Stadium.

It was the Josephians who led at half time 14-9. Trinity's kipper and fly half Tarinda Ratwatte was the architect of the victory. His perfect dummying split open the Josephian defence for speedy backs to have a open day. The Josephians, who have a crack side, found scoring difficult owing to the plucky display by the Trinitians in the second half. IN the first half it was the Darley Road boys who controlled the game with two goals. It was a rousing game of rugby; it left the large crowd very satisfied. Trinity playing in their own den, had the edge on St. Josephs, they had a heavier pack, and their back line went in for short, crisp, passes, the sort of passes that the forwards could join in on -and they often did.


By Hafiz Marikar reporting form Kandy – Sunday Observer


These things made the Josephian's job tough in the second half.In the first half the Trinitians had to listen to the opponents music, territorially, and in the second half it was other way, Trinitians nearly had two thirds of it. But in and out Josephian's attacked vigorously and all but, failed to score. In today's modern rugby. If you aren't playing on the advantage line and throwing flat passes you aren't playing good attacking rugby. It was a exciting one for the Josephian's supporters who had come form Colombo booking a special train, and was anxious one fore those who backed Trinity. Any way, Trinity who had St. Josephs on the defence for long spells in he second half was playing better rugby, Josephian's to a man played good rugger, their ball handling too was superb.

Joe-Pete RugbyThe set scrums and the line outs were equal. All the, Trinity and St. Josephs forwards deserve praise for the spirited game. The Trinity halves worked well, the scrum half slinging out his passes accurately and fly half opening out the game and also finding good touch when on the defensive. Though the Josephian threes failed in attack they tackled well. The finish to the game was fitting of the standard of attacking play that we've come to expect from these two teams over the years. we saw some great team efforts as well as brilliant individual play by some of the ruggeritesFor Trinity skipper Tarinda Ratwatte and Lochana Girihagama scored two tries each, and the kicking part was done by Tarinda Ratwatte. For the Josephians Visvitha Perera and H,.R. Gunwardene scored the tries with S. Kurugulapitiya doing the kicking part.

Comments Off on Trinity fight-back to beat Joes 34/17

Peterite Rugby Team

Tags:

Airtel Lanka continues to Scrum St. Peter’s College Rugby

Posted on 26 March 2014 by admin

Peterite Rugby TeamBharti Airtel renewed its partnership for the year 2014 as the principle sponsor of the St. Peter's College Rugby team. Having supported rugby at St. Peter's since 2012, the partnership renewed for the third consecutive year further fortifies Airtel Lanka's position as a global telecommunications giant keen on supporting and uplifting school sports in the island.

St. Peter's College was the fourth school to play Rugby at a competitive level in Sri Lanka. Shirley Illesinghe brought the first victory to St Peter's in 1934. This historic match was played against Royal College with a win of 5-0. In 2013 the St. Peter's rugby team made its mark by winning the All Island Under-18 and Under-20 Inter-School Rugby Sevens Championships and was placed third in the League Championships. In the year 2014, the St. Peter's Rugby team has already won the Under 18 Interschool Rugby 7s Championships and made it to the Semi Finals in the Under 20 category. Currently the St. Peter's Rugby team is placed in Division 1, Group A and are looking forward to an exciting season this year. St. Peter's last won the Inter-school Rugby League Championship in the year 2010.

Commenting on the renewal of sponsorship Suren Goonewardene, CEO – Sri Lanka, Bharti Airtel said, "Airtel Lanka has always placed great emphasis on promoting our brand through dynamic and energetic sponsorships and a game such as Rugby fits perfectly with our attempt. Rugby is played passionately by the youth of our country and Airtel Lanka as a leading supporter of Sri Lankan sports is proud to be a part of nurturing sports and sportsmen and women from a very young age. We see a great amount of potential and energy in the St. Peter's College Rugby team. Therefore we indeed very pleased be their sponsor for the third time and wish them all the very best for yet another successful season."

Comments Off on Airtel Lanka continues to Scrum St. Peter’s College Rugby

Fr.-Joe-March-22532dbe9d59046.jpg

Tags:

Fr. Joe de Mel was a Josephian legend

Posted on 24 March 2014 by admin

Fr.-Joe-March-22532dbe9d59046.jpgRev. Fr.Joe de Mel who passed away last week was a blue blooded Josephian, as blue as they came. He was an outstanding cricketer at the Darley Road school and many were his achievements that are etched in the record books of Josephian cricket. Unusual, I would add for men of the cloth. Standing over six feet, Fr. Joe was a feared fast medium bowler, a brilliant fielder quick of eye and a twinkle toed batsman who did not respect any bowling attack when he was wielding the willow.


By Elmo Rodrigopulle


According to my former colleague and Old Josephian M.J.M. Aka ‘Zorro’, Zarook who watched Fr.Joe performing for St.Joseph’s said he was a stylist in batting and played under Malcolm de Costsa and Neil Weerasinghe. His brother Cletus was a hard hitting opening batsman. Fr.. Joe would certainly have sported the country’s colours in cricket, had not the call from god come to shed pads and bat and join in the vineyard serve the lord and give praise and spread the gospel of the Lord. But Fr.Joe did not lose his thirst and hunger for the game he loved best and played with great respect. He would never miss a ‘stag nite’ and Joe-Pete big match and when invited to do commentary on radio did so with great knowledge and aplomb. Fr.Joe gave up playing cricket when he joined the seminary. Had he continued, he would have been Sri Lanka’s Rev.David Sheppard who donned pads for England when in robes.

Fr. Joe who hailed from an illustrious family was Chairman, ‘Samata Sarana’, former Vicar General, Archdiocese of Colombo, former Rector, National Seminary, Ampitiya.

A little anecdote – On the eve of our wedding day, the priest who was to say our wedding mass and give us in marriage Fr. Amirthapillai could not be contacted because he had gone on holiday to Nuwara Eliya. I was running around. But my Sports Editor at that time in the ‘Times’ Ramsay Zieglaar managed to contact Fr.Rufus Benedict who was then in charge of Peterite cricket who promised to do the needful. When I nervously arrived at St. Mary’s Church, Bambalapitiya where our marriage was to be solemnized, hey presto there was Fr. Amirthapillai, and standing by were Fr. Rufus Benedict and Fr. Joe de Mel. Fr. Rufus and Fr. Joe were aware of my achievements at cricket, having captained St.Benedict’s College and taking a hat trick against St.Peter’s College when Fr.Rufus was master in charge and five wickets against St.Joseph’s whose cricket Fr.Joe would not miss and were on the ready to help out. He respected the “googly” that I had bowled to my wife Gina!

Fr.Joe was laid to rest on Monday at Kanatte. May the turf that he walked with great distinction and respect lie softly on him. Our deepest sympathies to his family and all his loved ones.

 

Comments Off on Fr. Joe de Mel was a Josephian legend

Tags:

Rev. Fr. Joe de Mel: Final Rites on March 24th at Kanatte

Posted on 21 March 2014 by admin

Very Rev Fr. JOE DE MEL (Chairman, ‘Samata Sarana’, former Vicar General, Archdiocese of Colombo, Former Rector, National Seminary Ampitiya). Youngest son of late Thomas and Clara de Mel, Brother of Claire, Royce, Maurice, Etta, Rodney, Carl and Cletus (pre deceased) entered Eternal Rest. Remains will be at Samata Sarana, 531, Aluthmawatta, Road, Mutwal, Colombo – 15, from Saturday, 22nd to Monday 24th of March 2014. After Holy Mass of Thanksgiving on Monday 24th March at 8.00 a.m. Cortege will proceed to Sacred Heart Chapel, Archbishop’s House, Borella. Holy Mass at Archbishop’s House at 2.00 p.m. followed by Final Rites at Kanatte, RC Section. No flowers by request. Donations to Samata Sarana.

 

March 21, 2014 – News has reached us of the passing of Rev. Fr. Joe de Mel – a colossus among mankind and well known humanitarian known to many. Coming from a renowned Roman Catholic family he joined the priesthood and continued his vocation to help the poor and set up "Samata Sarana" – an orphanage for the poor and destitute.

Cover photo shows Fr. Joe with his illustrious brothers> The de Mel brothers (standing from left): Cletus de Mel, Carl de Mel, Rev. Fr. Joe de Mel. (Seated from left): Rodney de Mel, Royce de Mel, Maurice de Mel.

An inspiring sportsman who had his baptism to cricket at his Alma Mater – St. Joseph's College, Colombo – Fr. Joe led the team to a great 7-run victory in 1948 in the Big Match against St. Peter's College. 
 
Fr. Joe was a great friend of St. Peter's College as well and had many friends from both schools who supported his humanitarian goals.
 
The funeral will be on Monday, 24th March.
 
May the Lord grant him eternal rest.
 

Dear All,

 

With great sadness we announce the demise of our beloved Old Joe, Rev.Fr.Joe De Mel this (21st) afternoon. The body will be brought to Semata Sarana main Center at No. 531, Aluthmawatha Road Mutwal, Colombo – 15. (Phone: 0094-11-252 4583 Fax: 0094-11-252 3046) at 9.00 am on Saturday the 22nd and remain there till Monday.

On Monday the 24th at 9.00 am the body will be brought to Archbishops House, Borella.

Holy Mass would be celebrated at 2.00 pm on Monday the 24th and thereafter burial at the General Cemetery, Borella.

As we all know Fr.Joe is a legendary Old Joe and as such we request your gratuitous presence at all above times and most importantly for your prayerful participation at the Holy Mass at Archbishops House on Monday 2.00 pm preferably in the OBU /College tie.

Please circulate to all Old Joe's in your mailing list.

 
May the Grace of God and Peace be with you.
 
Senaka

Senaka Ranasinghe (Justice of Peace – All Island )

Tel : +94 757723900, +94 770445629.

skype Phone : senakaskype

John 3 : 16 "For God so loved the world that he gave us his one and only Son (Jesus), that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life"

 

 

 

Comments Off on Rev. Fr. Joe de Mel: Final Rites on March 24th at Kanatte

Tags:

Josephians beat Peterites by 91 runs in one-day game

Posted on 20 March 2014 by admin

St Joseph’s College beat St Peter’s College by 91 runs in the one-day encounter, which was played at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo yesterday.

Batting first, the Josephians made 224-8 in 50 overs with the help of two half centuries by Duran de Alwis (52) and Pathum Madusanka (50). The pair steadied the innings putting on a 98-run partnership for the third wicket after Sadeera Samarawickrama was dismissed for 25 with the total reading 47.

Fabian Fernando’s late flurry of runs included a 39-ball, 37 with three sixes.

Chasing 225-runs to win, the Peterites were restricted for 133 as the Josephian bowling spearheaded by Hashindra Perera claiming four wickets for 23 runs.

Paceman Fabian Fernando removed the first three Peterite batsmen to have the Peterites in a spot of bother with 12 runs on the board. Aravinda Akurugoda, the right arm leg-spinner, bowled an economical spell giving away only 10 runs with three maiden overs in his eight-over spell. Akurugoda trapped Malka Ashan leg before for nought.

Socreboard

St Joseph’s College
D Alwis b S Nanayakkara 52
D Fernandopulle lbw b Liyanage 00
S Samarawickrama b Obeyesekere 25
P Madusanka st O Nanayakkara b S Nanayakkara 50
P Perera c Ashan b Liyanage 22
Y Samarasinghe run out 03
F Fernando b Obeyesekere 37
K Ravihara run out 06
A Akurugoda not out 06
H Perera not out 01
Extras (1b, 6lb, 15w) 22
TOTAL (8 wickets; 50 overs) 224

Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Fernandopulle), 2-47 (Samarawickrama)
3-145 (Madushanka), 4-148 (De Alwis)
5-159 (Samarasinghe), 6-185 (P Perera)
7-199 (Ravihara), 8-214 (Fernando)
Bowling: C Obeyesekere 10-1-26-2
J Liyanage 10-0-59-2
N Dharshana 5-0-34-0
S Nanayakkara 10-0-45-2
D Thimodya 7-0-23-0
M Ashanth 7-1-26-0
C Jayamanna 1-0-5-0

St Peter’s College
D Thimodya b Fernando 00
O Karunaratne b Rodrigo 36
J Liyanage b Fernando 04
C Jayamanna c Hasintha b Fernando 06
K de Tissera c Rodrigo b A Perera 28
M de Silva run out 32
S Dalpadadu c Madusanka b H Perera 03
C Obeyesekere not out 10
S Nanayakkara c Akurugoda b H Perera 04
M Ashanth lbw Akurugoda 00
N Dharshana c Fernando b H Perera 00
Extras (2b, 2lb, 6w) 10
TOTAL (all out; 41.4 overs) 133

Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Thomodya), 2-4 (Liyanage), 3-12 (Jayamanna)
4-60 (Karunaratne), 5-114 (De Tissera)
6-114 (De Silva), 7-123 (Dalpadadu)
8-128 (Nanayakkara), 9-130 (Ashantha)
10-133 (Dharshana)
Bowling: F Fernando 6-0-25-3
D de Alwis 4-1-25-0
Y Samarasinghe 7-0-24-0
M Rodrigo 4-1-17-1
H Perera 9.4-1-23-4
A Akurugoda 8-3-10-1
P Madushanka 3-0-5-0
Scorers: D N Pathirana (St Peter’s) and Cyril Nicholas (St Joseph’s).

Courtesy: Sunday Observer

Comments Off on Josephians beat Peterites by 91 runs in one-day game

Joe-Pete Rugby

Tags:

PETERITE RUGBY …… and the Saga Continues

Posted on 18 March 2014 by admin

 

 

Joe-Pete Rugby

The name of the new school had changed from St. Joseph's Colombo South to St. Peter's College in 1927 and Fr. Nicholas Perera's title had also been changed from Manager to Rector. No, it was not the new title but his foresight that made him give thought to another game other than Cricket for the Peterite boys to engage in and that game was Rugby.

Rugby had been introduced to schools in Ceylon (as the country was known then), by the then Principal of Kingswood in 1891 with the first inter collegiate rugby match been played in 1906 when Kingswood played against another school from Kandy, Trinity and the match ending in a tie.

Having set his mind on introducing rugby to St. Peter's, Fr. Nicholas Perera set the wheels in motion in 1932 when he entrusted the task to Mr. Herbert Wittachchy, a brilliant sportsman and rugby player, to mould a team and guide the rugby fortunes at St. Peter's. His dedication and commitment to the task paid off when in the same year (1932) St. Peter's played their first competitive match against Royal. The Peterite team of freshers led by Lim Bilimoria lost that first match which was played in their home grounds in Bambalapitiya but impressed many with their style of play and amply displayed the rugby sense and skill that they are now renowned for. Thus they had announced their entry into the schools' rugby arena as the 4th school to take up this sport in this country's rugby history.

Not too long thereafter, in 2 years to be more precise, in 1934 the Peterites first tasted success when they beat the same opposition at the same venue 5-0 (remember a goal then was worth only 5 points – 3 for a try and 2 for the conversion), under the captaincy of Shirley Illesinghe, another brilliant sportsman produced by St. Peter's. It took only one more year for the Peterites under the captaincy of Fred Keller to beat the more experienced Trinitians for the first time. The happiness of the Peterites knew no bounds that year as they together with the Trinitians, were declared Joint Schools' Champions that year.

The Peterites had the distinction of being the Schools' Rugby Champions for 5 consecutive years thereafter, a rare feat indeed for a school that had entered the arena only a few years before that. and what is more in the years 1936 and 1938 they were unbeaten, under the leadership of Archibald Perera, a legend in his time and Percy Perera, respectively. They both went on to represent the country with distinction.

The Petes had to temporarily put a halt to sports in 1942 after the 2nd World War had broken out and the College buildings were taken over by the British army and resumed rugby only in 1948 under Harold de Silva. It took some years after this resumption for the Peterites to achieve the success levels it did in the 1930s.

In 1956 Archibald Perera took over the coaching of rugby at his beloved old school and guided the sport and his charges until he passed away in 1982. During his tenure as Coach he produced champion sides and many a side that was runner up in the schools' unofficial tournaments. The Peterites were unofficial champions in 1965 under Darrel Wimalaratne, in 1966 under Hamzi Hameed, in 1972 under Jeffery de Jong and again in 1973 under the captaincy of Rohan Wiratunga.

The Peterites achieved a long unrealised dream in 1985 (a cherished dream of that beloved Peterite Coach of yesteryear, Archibald Perera, which unfortunately was not a reality in his lifetime), when under the captaincy of Ranjith Abeygoonawardena they beat Trinity after 44 years. Many times since 1941 had the Peterites tied with the Trinitians and many times had they lost at the last minute or by the slimmest of margins, but this win in 1985 had broken a hoodoo for the Peterites.


Courtesy: Algi Wijewickrema Hony. Editor (SPC – OBU)

visit our Website http://stpetersobu.com

"Like" FB Page https://www.facebook.com/obuofstpeterscollege


The coaching duties in the 1980s was taken over by Frank Hubert a student who had learned the rudiments of rugby under Archibald Perera and this win in 1985 would have been special coach Hubert as he was also in a team that narrowly missed defeating Trinity in those hoodoo years. T

 

here were many successes thereafter with teams beating the top rugby playing schools like Trinity, Royal, St. Thomas' and Isipathana but the 2002 team under Dilanka Wijesekera created history for the Peterites when they became official A Division Champions in the Schools' Rugby tournament. Thereafter under Harendra Ariyawardena in 2006, the Peterites became double champions becoming the A Division Champions and the Milo President's Trophy (knock out tournament) winners.

In the year that the Peterites celebrated 75 glorious years of rugby, 2007, the 1st XV rugby team gave the best gift possible to their Alma Mater, when under the leadership of Ranuka Jayasinghe, they became the first Peterite team to be unbeaten Schools' Rugby Champions. The 2010 team went even further and deserves getting special mention for that unbeaten team skippered by Keith Gurusinghe won the triple crown of being the Schools' 7 champions, League Champions and the President's Trophy Champions (knockout championship) despite many obstacles placed on their path.

Needless to say, in the past 81 years St. Peter's has produced many famous rugby players who donned the Sri Lankan jersey with distinction where some had earned the praises of foreign teams that visited Sri Lanka in the past. The Rectors down the years starting from the first, Rev. Fr. Nicholas Perera to Fr. Travis Gabriel have encouraged and supported rugby at St. Peter's and no doubt, the present Rector, Fr. Trevor Martin, who is himself a sportsman from St. Benedict's, will continue this tradition and be a source of encouragement and support to produce champion rugby teams.

 

Comments Off on PETERITE RUGBY …… and the Saga Continues

Tags:

40th Joe-Pete Limited over game on Sat. March 15th at 9:30 am

Posted on 12 March 2014 by admin

The 40th Joe-Pete limited over match will be played for the Rev. Fr. Peter A. Pillai Memorial challenge shield in the following week which will be at the Kettarama Stadium on 15th March 2014 at 09.30 a.m.

Joe-Pete CricketOnce again Joes leads the overall tally winning 20 to Pete’s 17 in the 50 over format of the game. Mr. Niranjan Rodrigo, the Peterite captain in 1982 will be the chief guest for this one day encounter.

Rev. Fr. Trevor Martin rector of St. Peter’s said that this is the time for all the Peterites and Joes to combine for the biggest get together in the year. In addition the old boys who live overseas of both colleges are expected in numbers at the R.Premadasa Stadium to show their bond and utmost passion for the respective colleges.

A cycle parade and a vehicle parade is usually organized by both schools on the day of the ODI fixture and this year too both schools are in the process of organizing it in a huge way.

Chief Guest Niranjan Rodrigo played for St. Peter's College from 1978 – 1982 (both years included) for a total of five years. An all-rounder, he was in the 1978 Peterite team that won the big match by six wickets. He played alongside Amal Silva, Vinodhan John, Rumesh Ratnayaka, Rohan Buultjens, Rohan Paulusz, Shane Brohier and Dane Joseph – to name a few top players.

Comments Off on 40th Joe-Pete Limited over game on Sat. March 15th at 9:30 am

Anton Perera Young & Old

Tags:

Thanksgiving Mass on March 18th for Anton Perera at SPC Chapel

Posted on 12 March 2014 by admin

Anton Perera Young & OldFamily and friends have organised a Thanksgiving Mass for the Life of Anton Perera – Peterite sportsman who passed away in a Los Angeles Hospital on February 20, 2014. It will be held at 6:30 pm on Tuesday, March 18, 2014, at St. Peter's College Chapel, Bambalapitiya. The presence of friends and family at the Mass will be appreciated. Please see details in the link below.

ANTON PERERA MEMORIAL SL

Comments Off on Thanksgiving Mass on March 18th for Anton Perera at SPC Chapel

Tags:

Some Interesting Trivia of the Joe-Pete Series

Posted on 12 March 2014 by admin

SPC OBU LOGOJOE – PETE – Some Interesting facts Unlike any other Big Match the Joe-Pete is unique in that it not only is between two Catholic schools but between two schools of which one was created by the other. So it is inevitable that there are many relationships when it comes to this Big Match, which is known as the Battle of the Saints or simply the Joe-Pete.


BY: ALGI WIJEWICKREMA – EDITOR, SPC-OBU


Rev. Fr. Maurice Le Goc who was responsible for the creation of St. Peter’s which began as St. Joseph’s College, Colombo South in 1922 decided that there should be a traditional “Big Match” played between the schools and the series began in 1933, by which time the new school had assumed its new name as St. Peter’s College. Rather than going into the history of the series, my intention is to highlight the unique relationships that have existed in this special big match series and instead of giving the facts in one lengthy post, I’ll give them in short bursts so digesting will be easier.

First it is about a couple of cricketers who played for both Colleges, so I can’t call them Josephians or Peterites (I wonder what they call themselves). These two unique individuals are: Douglas Moreira who played for St. Joseph’s in 1933 and then switched sides to St. Peter’s to play in 1934. The other was Keneth R L de Silva who did it the other way round in the same years i.e. playing for St. Peter’s in 1933 and then switching over to play in the 1934 Josephian team. Now to the relationships and it is about fathers and sons who captained their respective Colleges. St. Peter’s had George Jayaweera captaining that inaugural Josephian-Peterite big match in 1933 and his son Ruwan Jayaweera captained the Peterites in 1974.

Then come two Josephian father-son combinations in Hector Perera (Snr.) who captained the Joes in 1939 and his son Hector Perera (Jr.) who captained the Joes in 1970 and then in 1968 there was Lalith de S Wijeratne captaining the Joes and his son Anuk de S Wijeratne who captained the Josephian side in 2001. With many more relationships to write about let me stop here for now and continue bit by bit as we approach the 50 over game on 15th March.


PART II

JOE – PETE – Some Interesting facts

As mentioned in my previous post, many relationships exist when it comes to the Joe-Pete series and today let me share with you some gen about brothers who played in the series.

First to brothers who captained and St. Joseph’s had six sets of such brothers while St. Peter’s had three.

From the Joes, there was Joe Perera who captained the team in 1951 and Rienzie Perera in 1953, Mahinda de Silva in 1955 and Raja de Silva in 1961. Incidentally Raja de Silva is the present Chairman of the Josephian Cricket Foundation. Then there was Lalith de S Wijeratne who captained the Joes in 1968 and his brother Manik who captained in 1971 and Asela Pathirana captained the Joes in 1995 while his brother Danuka Pathirana was the skipper of the 2001 team. However Danuka could not play in the Big Match as he was on an overseas tour.

Continuing with the Joes, there was Trevin Mathews who captained the 1997 team while his more famous brother Angelo Mathews, the current Sri Lanka Captain – and a very successful Sri Lanka captain at that, captained the Joes seven years later in 2006. And the last couple of brothers to captain the Josephians thus far were Rajeewa Weerasinghe who captained in 2007 and his brother Shameera in 2009.

From the Peterite side there was Kenneth Duckworth who led the side in 1956 and brother Russell who skippered the 1958 team and Richard Heyn who captained the Peterites in 1962 and his brother, the Sri Lanka cap of yesteryear, David Heyn in 1964. The other pair of brothers to captain the Peterites were Angelo Perera in 2009, another Sri Lanka cap and Denham Perera in 2011.

Then there is the interesting fact of brothers who captained opposing schools and this distinction falls on Claude Perera who captained the Josephians in 1959 and Ranjan Perera who captained the Peterites in 1976.

Finally about brothers who played for opposing schools including the Pereras mentioned above who captained the two schools. These are:

Dodwell Pereira (St. Peter’s) 1933-35 and Norton Pereira (St. Joseph’s) 1945-47
Eugene Chanmugam (St. Joseph’s) 1944 and Michael Chanmugam (St. Peter’s) 1944-48
Claude Perera (St. Joseph’s) 1956-59 and Ranjan Perera (St. Peter’s) 1974-76 – they both captained the respective schools
Ranga Dias (St. Peter’s) 1998 and Sandun Dias (St. Joseph’s) 2003

Await more about relationships in the series tomorrow.


PART III

JOE – PETE – Some Interesting facts

In this post I will cover the fathers, sons and grandsons who played in this series and there are only 2 sets of father, son and grandson from either camp to cover but there are many of the fathers and sons.

Bernard Wijetunga (Snr.) played for St. Peter’s from 1944 to 47 while his son Bernard Wijetunga (Jr.) played from 1972 to 75 and his son Sheehan played in 2003 and 2004 (by the way Bernard Wijetunga (Jr.) was the Peterite captain of the 1st ever limited overs match played between the two Colleges, in 1975).

For the Joes there was R Alirajah who played in 1950 and his son Ajith Alirajah who played from 1985 to 87 and then his son Shivane Alirajah who played in 2012.

And now for the fathers and sons who played for each College but obviously there will be some repetition of information as those fathers and sons who captained have been covered as well as the Wijetungas and Alirajah from St. Peter’s and St. Joseph’s respectively, already covered above.

The Joes have a higher number in this category who played for the College i.e. 13 of such proud fathers and sons while the Petes have 8 and here is the list of Joes first:

1. Fred Perera (1934 – 37) and Gavin Perera (1973)
2. Kingsley P Amarasekera (1935) and Kumar Amarasekera (1958 – 59)
3. Hector Perera Snr. (1937 – 39) and Hector Perera Jr. (1967 – 70)
4. Merle Dalpathado (1944) and Gihan Dalpathado (1969 – 71)
5. James Perera (1949) – 3 sons in Viraj Perera (1978), Pradeep Perera (1979 – 80) and Rohitha Perera (1979 – 81)
6. R Alirajah (1950) and Ajith Alirajah (1985 – 87)
7. Winston Malawana (1955) and Viraj Malawana (1990)
8. Placidus Liyanage (1961 – 63) and Prasan Liyanage (1985 – 87)
9. Lalith de S Wijeratne (1966 – 69) and Anuk de S Wijeratne (1999 – 2000)
10. Garry Melder (1970 – 74) and Dion Melder (2002)
11. Tony Gunawardena (1973) and Shernon Gunawardena (2002)
12. Carlton Bernadus (1975 – 76) and Kevin Bernadus (2011)
13. Ajith Alirajh (1985 – 87) and Shivane Alirajah (2012)

And now for list of 8 Peterite fathers and sons:

1. George Jayaweera – the 1st Peterite captain (1933) and 2 sons, Tissa Jayaweera (1961 – 62) and Ruwan Jayaweea (1973 – 74)
2. Sylvester Fernando (1934) and Rohan Fernando (1974)
3. Douglas De Niese (1940 – 41) and 2 sons, Peter De Niese (1963 – 66) and Stephen De Niese (1966 – 67)
4. Bernard Wijetunga Snr. (1944 – 47) – 2 sons, Bernard Wijetunga Jr. (1972 – 75) and Darrel Wijetunga (1975 – 76)
5. Anton Paulpillai (1956 – 57) and Rohan Paulpillai (1983 – 86)
6. Bernard Wijetunga Jr. (1972 – 75) and Sheehan Wijetunga (2003 – 04)
7. Amal Silva (1980) – Sri Lanka Cap as an opening batsman & wicketkeeper and Anuk Silva (2006 – 08)
8. Trevor Faux (1980s) and Denver Faux (2001 – 02)

Tomorrow we’ll cover fathers and sons who played for the opposing school.

Comments Off on Some Interesting Trivia of the Joe-Pete Series

David-Heyn-Photo.jpg

Tags:

Tribute to a legendary Peterite sportsman – Anton Perera

Posted on 08 March 2014 by admin

Courtesy: The Island of Saturday, March 8, 2014.

The 80th Josephian-Peterite encounter started at the Colombo Oval on Friday. A time for the Joes and Peterites to revel and enjoy the sport and the camaraderie that is associated with this great sporting event. The ‘Battle of the Saints’ was inaugurated in 1933, and has produced many a legend that went on to play nationally.

Names that come to mind are Clive Inman, H.I.K. Fernando, David Heyn, Roy Dias, Vinodhan John, Tony Opatha, Russell Arnold, Rumesh Ratnayaka, Amal Silva, Kaushal Lokuarachchi, and Angelo Perera for the Peterites and Brian Obeyesekere, Chaminda Vaas, Ashley de Silva, Ajith Weerakkody, Michael Van Dort, Dimuth Karunaratne, Thisara Perera and our current Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews for the Josephians. These stars have gone that extra bit and crowned themselves with glory to represent our great nation in cricket. Congratulations to all.

There are hordes of other talented cricketers who represented their Alma Mater over the years, but never made it to the national team due to numerous reasons. Talent was never in question for these players, but it was a question of timing – after all, only eleven can play in a team. Space does not permit me to name these players as this article is dedicated to a superstar who sadly passed away last month. Anton Perera played for St. Peter’s College from 1957-1960, both years included.

Anton Perera was a household name in the late fifties and early sixties. An intensely talented all-round sportsman, Anton broke into the limelight in 1957, as an athlete and cricketer. He was only 15 years old at the time. Anton was a legend at St. Peter’s College. He was one of the most celebrated sports icons who left an indelible mark on the Peterite landscape as a talented athlete, exceptional cricketer who also played rugby until his coach Jackie van Twest advised him not to play as it would hurt his athletics. Anton was also a good Tennis player and I am not quite sure if he represented college, at the Public Schools Championships. His father was a Tennis player of national repute.

Blessed with a strong physique – Anton captained the Under-16 athletics team of his Alma Mater to win the Junior Tarbat Trophy at the All-Island Schools Athletic Championships. He was a Public School champion in the Discus, Javelin and Putt Shot. He also performed well in the 100 metres and did the sprint relays. This was a time the Peterites had a crack athletic team. He captained the Junior Athletics Team in 1957 which went on to win the Junior Tarbat at the Public Schools Championships. Desmond Moraes, Rontjen Perera and Linus Jayawardane (since departed) were the other members of the team.

Some names of Peterite athletes during his time that come to mind are Ranjit Wijeyesekere, Ranjit Weerasena, David Van Dort, Errol de Silva, brothers Andrew & Godfrey Goonetilleke, Rontjen Perera, Neville Salvador, E.L. Fernando, N.B. Wilson, Didacus de Almeida, Roger Wright, Kevin Ruberu, Vinitha Rakajaruna, Elmo Perera, Carlyle Rudolph, Ranjith Alwis, brothers Winston & Stafford Tambimuttu, and a host of others of repute who later joined Ace Athletic Club or CT & FC.

But it was Cricket that Anton was best known. His baptism into the First XI was in 1957, at the age of 15 – under the captaincy of Jayantha Fernando. In the big match, Anton clean bowled opener Claude Perera and then took out two prolific Josephian batsmen Priya Perera and Tissa de Soysa. He had match figures of 3 for 69 in his first big match that was drawn. St. Peter`s were captained by Russel Duckworth in 1958, Brian Seneviratne in 1959, and Premasiri Athukorale in 1960. I cannot remember which year, but Anton caused a sensation at the SPC Vs. Ananda game. He took 8 wickets for 21 and at least six Ananda players were injured. Following year, the Peterites had a rough time at Campbell Place when they met Ananda. I believe Police were at hand to ensure no brawls took place. During this time, he was rated the fastest Schoolboy bowler in Ceylon with Ananda`s Sonny Yatawara coming a close second.

Anton’s opening partners were Maurice Deckker (1960), Desmond Dharmaraja (1958 & 1959) and Anton Paulpillai (1957). Anton best partnered with Maurice Deckker when the Peterites had the most fiery opening bowling attack at the time in school cricket. Cricket at St. Peter`s enjoyed a great period in the 50s and 60s – there was a galaxy of stars who represented the school by the canal. Anton`s team mates who played alongside him are David Muthumani, Nihal Wijesena, Darrel De Silva, Jayantha Fernando, Brian Seneviratne, Russel Duckworth, Lakshman Serasinghe, Premasiri Athukorale, Christy Marthalingam, Anton Paulpillai, Randy Layman, Adiel Anghie, Desmond Dharmaraja, Elmo Gunasekara, Richard Alles, Mark de Silva, Richard Heyn, Tyrone Le Mercier, Maurice Deckker, and Didacus de Almeida.

David-Heyn-Photo.jpg

This 2004 photo shows four celebrated Peterite cricketers of yesteryear – Richard Alles, David Heyn, Travice Fernando and Anton Perera.

Anton played Club Cricket briefly for SSC whilst in school and would have certainly played for All-Ceylon had he not left for California in 1962 at the age of 20. He lived in the San Fernando Valley in Southern California with his wife Marlene and their three children. He was involved in developing and promoting cricket in Southern California in the sixties and played locally with Dr. Tony Don Michael (another Peterite), Thomian Dr. M.L. Idroos (STC), Dr. C. Balakrishnan (Jaffna Hindu), and a host of other players who made California their home in the post-sixties.

Anton passed away in a Los Angeles Hospital on February 20th, from medical complications. He is survived by his beloved wife of 51 years – Marlene, son Yohan (Joey) and two daughters Sharlene and Sheryl and eight grandchildren. A memorial service for the repose of his soul was held on Saturday, March 1, 2014, at St. Bernadine’s Church in Woodland Hills, California. The service, from all accounts was a celebration of the life and times of a great sportsman – Anton Perera!

A quote from Abraham Lincoln: "And in the end it is not the years in your life that count, It’s the life in your years." In this context, Anton enjoyed a lot of life in his years. He was a good family man, an exceptional human being, loyal to his multitude of friends and a very good Catholic to his dying days.

May his Soul Rest in Peace!

By Upali Obeyesekere – Old Peterite living in Toronto, Canada

Comments Off on Tribute to a legendary Peterite sportsman – Anton Perera

Advertise Here
Advertise Here
%d bloggers like this: