Archive | August, 2017

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Tribute to Josephian cricketer – TREVOR CRONER

Posted on 22 August 2017 by admin

Trevor bats no more!

TREVOR CRONERTrevor Croner, that versatile sportsman from St. Joseph's College, Maradana passed away in Brisbane, Australia after bravely fighting a terminal illness.(24 Dec 2004) Trevor excelled in cricket but did not confine his talents to cricket alone. He represented the college in soccer, swimming and athletics as well. In football he scored the only goal for Sri Lankan schools when they toured Thailand. He first donned the school cap when he played under 12 cricket for his alma mater and played right throughout his school career in all the age groups finally culminating in his skippering the first XI team in 1977.

He completed his school career when in 1977 he was selected as the Observer Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year in his final year-1977. He first excelled at St. Joseph's as a wicket-keeper batsman but later on he turned out to be a fantastic leg spin bowler who could bowl the wrong 'un as well. Finally in his last two years he bowled medium pace-which shows what a superb all-round cricketer he was.

During his tenure as player for 3 successive years from 1974-76, St. Joseph's won the schools limited over tournament. In the year that Trevor captained, the school finished runner-up losing to Ashok Jayawickrema's Royalists in the final. Incidentally the Under 16 team from Joes led by Rohan Wijesinghe (Snr) lost to Royal led again by Ashok Jayawickrama.

Trevor's colleagues at St.Joseph's notably Susilough de S. Wijeyeratne, Carlton Bernadus, Wayne Jansz were all helpful in providing information about his outstanding school career.

Susilough recalls that in the limited over semi final in 1976 against S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia led by Sasi Ganesan, played at the Bloomfield grounds the Joes won by 13 runs. Openers Trevor Croner and Rohitha Wickremaratne blasted the Thomian bowling for 166 runs for the first wicket, which could well be a record even today. This stand paved the way for a Josephian victory and the openers scored their runs against no mean Thomian attack led by Saliya Ahangama, Ishak Sahabdeen, Ajit Ganesan and the late Lalith Ratnayake.

The Joes beat Ananda led by Ruwan Perera in the final also by the same margin.

Trevor was also involved in a massive 200 run partnership with his skipper Dushan Soza for the 3rd wicket against Ananda College in 1976, which is a ground record at Darley Road. Incidentally he also became the first to score a century on the new scoreboard at the time.

In 1977, playing against Trinity College at Darley Road (an attack which included Ravi Ratnayake) the Joes were given a target of scoring 194 runs in 80 minutes. St. Joseph's won the match with two overs to spare.

Rohan Wijesinghe(Snr) notched up a century and the hard hitting Trevor Croner and Lakshman Aloysius finished the game for them.

Trevor also played soccer for the Joes and was in the winning team that won the Brazil Cup for the first time in 1976 under Rupert Ranaweera.

He also represented Sri Lanka schools under 19 in 1976 when they toured Thailand and scored the only goal for Sri Lanka.

He was an efficient centre-forward who could kick with both legs.

He also represented his alma mater in athletics and swimming.

He played for Freudenburg and Co: in 1978 alongside Roy Dias, Ranjan de Silva, Yohan Gunasekera and Jeyaraj Solomons.

He then migrated to Melbourne, Australia where he played club and grade cricket. Thereafter he crossed over to Brisbane, Queensland. There he qualified as a level 2 Australian coach and was involved with coaching in Queensland. He was appointed as a Development Officer/Coach.

During his visits to Sri Lanka he spent a lot of his time visiting districts and coaching and imparting his knowledge to the kids.

While on holidays his played for the Old Joes.

His team- mates created a fund for him and his teammate Sharmilal de S.Wijeyeratne provided accommodation for him when he went to the States.

One aspect of Trevor that may not be known by many is the fact that he had hidden talents away from the sports field.

He was a musician par excellence and even had his own band "Twintronix" in Queensland and used to play at all Sri Lankan functions.

Trevor married Daveena Kellar and had two sons and two daughters. A memorial service was held for his soul at S. Joseph's School Chapel on Friday January 7.

I'm sure that when the "One Great Scorer comes to write against his name he will write not whether he won or lost but how he played the game", and when the Saints meet on high and "go marching in" Trevor as the former Josephian skipper will be there to wield the willow. ********************************************************************

 

Trevor Croner gravely ill; friends seek help (Sri Lanka Island newspaper 29.4.2001)

Trevor Croner the former Josephian sportsman who excelled in cricket and soccer in the seventies is seriously ill. Trevor who is now domiciled in Australia has been diagnosed with Secondary renal cell cancer in his lungs, bones and right adrenal gland. The doctors attending on him in Australia have said that he has only 8-10 months to live. He has visited a top specialist in Minnesota (US) who has said that there is a 1 in 10 chance treatment that could work for him. This treatment which is called interlukan 2 (IL 2) is very expensive and would require Trevor to go to the USA shortly to undergo it.

Two types of help would be important and appreciated. Moral and spiritual support and funds.

Shamilal De S. Wijeratne his former cricket team-mate at college together with a few other schoolmates and friends have launched a fund raiser for Trevor in the US and UK. A few friends of his in Sri Lanka are compiling a special get well card listing out all names of friends and well wishers here, and have opened a bank account in his name to raise funds.

All financial contributions can be sent to Trevor Croner Benefit Fund A/c No 001-437417-001 at HSBC City Office, Colombo 1.

Trevor can be contacted in Australia on Tel. 7-3880-1815 or email croner@bigpond.com. Anyone of his following friends could be contacted for more information. They are Lalith De S. Wijeratne (074-304027) Susilough de S. Wijeratne- (875934) or Wayne Jansz (077-388831 Adrian De J. Seneviratne (071-274029). *******************************************************************

Bens-Joes play out an exciting draw

The inaugural cricket encounter between traditional rivals St. Benedict's College, Kotahena and St. Joseph's College, Darley Road played at Kotahena on Friday and Saturday ended in a thrilling draw.

There was much excitement before the game began, because this was the first time that the two colleges were going to take the field fronting up for a trophy the – Mack-Croner trophy.

Before going on to describe what took place out in the middle, it is but right to say a few words about Malcolm Mack and Trevor Croner who were two wonderful cricketers who lit up the game during their time with their elegant and exciting batting.

Both were batsmen in the manner born and they were exciting to watch with the willow in their hand. Mack was a right hander and Croner a left hander. To them pat ball cricket was not in their get up. They were coached on the lines that the ball was there to be hit and hit it they did and the ball stayed hit, either for four or six.

Clever thinker

As captains too, they were clever thinkers and tossed the coin aiming for a decision because drawn games were anathema to them. And they instilled on their teams that it was not the winning or losing that mattered, but how one played the game.

Mack and Croner set an example which rubbed of on all their team mates and the particular game they captained, saw thrilling cricket which finally ended in a victory for Croner's Joes. Mack's Bens were gallant in defeat.

That Mack and Croner had to answer the call from god when in their prime was sad. That is why it is said that the good die young. May the turf that they walked with great dedication, devotion, determination and example rest softly on them.

To go down memory lane and now that Mack/Croner Trophy has been offered and which game would be contested for this Trophy, it must be recalled that in the not too distant past, the Bens and Joes played a 50-over game for the Rev. Bro. Alban Trophy. *********************************************************************

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Asela Lihinikaduwa

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ASELA LIHINIKADUWA elected President, St. Peter’s College Old Boys’ Union 2017/18

Posted on 15 August 2017 by admin

Congratulations to the entire new Committee of Management of St. Peter's College Old Boys' Union (Colombo) elected at the Annual General Meeting held on Sunday, July 2, 2017. Full list of elected officers in post below.

Asela Lihinikaduwa was elected President while Kevin Edwards and Algi Wijewickrema were among those elected Vice Presidents. Ravika de Silva was elected General Secretary.

May god bless these fine gentlemen who have taken on a huge responsibility in carrying on the legacy left behind by many previous committees since 1927.

A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way. …and I am sure the new president and his team are all leaders in their own inimitable way. We wish them well!

The Old Boys’ Union of St. Peter’s College, Colombo had their 89th Annual General Meeting on Sunday, 2nd July 2017, at the D J Nicholas Perera Hall at St. Peter’s, at which Mr. Asela Lihinikaduwa was elected President for the year 2017/18.

ASELA LIHINIKADUWA

ASELA LIHINIKADUWA

Following are those elected to the Committee of Management for the year 2017/18.

Patron: Rev. Fr. Trevor Martin (Patron/ Rector)

Vice Patrons: Rev. Fr. Felician R. Perera: Rev. Fr. Travis Gabriel: Lankamanya (Dr.) Lester James Peiris: Vidyajothi Prof. Willie Mendis: Mr. Kumar Paul (Sr.): Mr. Mano Chanmugam: Air Chief Marshal Roshan Goonetileke: Dr. Ananda Soysa: Vidyajothi. Prof. Rohan Jayasakara: Mr. Nivard Cabraal: Mr. Ranjith Weerasena: Rev. Fr. SriyanRanasinghe

President: Mr. AselaLihinikaduwa

Immediate Past President: Mr. Romeish de Mel

Nominated Past Presidents: Mr. Gerry de Mel: Mr. SurangaSenevirathne: Mr. Harin Gunawardena

Vice Presidents: Mr. Kevin Edwards: Mr. Algi Wijewickrema: Mr. Roshan Fernando: Mr. Kumantha Ranasinghe: Mr. Kanishka Hewage: Mr. Dilanka Peiris

Hony. General Secretary: Mr. Ravika de Silva

Asst. Secretary: Mr. Dayan Georgesz

Hony. Treasurer: Mr. Haariz Rahman

Asst. Treasurer: Mr. Sanjeev Dabare

Hony. Editor: Mr. Yuwanmini Landersz

Asst. Editor: Mr. Sriyan Jayaweera

General Committee: Mr. Dushantha Gunewardene; Mr. Jayantha Atapattu; Mr. Aruna Perera; Mr. Ramesh Fonseka; Mr. Ashley Fonseka; Mr. Kevin Rasquinho Mr. Dishan Anthony; Mr. Paul Newman; Mr. Indika Jinasena; Mr. Sudesh Mendis; Mr. Sanushka Perera; Mr. Vinoshan Richard; Mr. Gimhan Perera; Mr.SurenSugamaram; Mr. Ghazali Ifthikar; Mr. Kamil Hishan; Mr. Rohan Victoria; Mr. Jerry Anderson; Mr. Fouzan Ali; Mr. ShiranYatagama Mr. Suren Antony

The proceedings began with Holy Mass concelebrated by Rev. Fr. Trevor Martin, Rev. Fr. Sriyan Ranasinghe, Rev. Fr. Chrispin Leo, Rev. Samith Rangana Fernando, Rev. Fr. Chandanalal Fernando, Rev. Fr. Samantha Fernandopulle and Rev. Fr. Kamal Kumar, followed by the traditional breakfast, courtesy Rev. Fr. Rector.

The AGM thereafter was followed by "an after party" – fellowship.

Ravika de Silva – Hony. General Secretary

 

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1983 Peterite Skipper Niranjan Rodrigo shares his thoughts on the 1978 Peterite victory in the Big Match

Posted on 12 August 2017 by admin

 

BLAST FROM THE PAST

Good old ‘Big Match’ days
True sportsmanship the answer to break deadlock – Niranjan Rodrigo

by Reemus Fernando – Courtesy: The Island of 07 March, 2008.

Can they break the deadlock at least this year? This might be the question running through the minds of not only the Joes and Petes, but many followers, as St. Joseph’s and St. Peter’s meet in the 74th ‘Battle of the Saints’ ‘Big Match’ today and tomorrow at the P. Sara Stadium. Despite many strong teams featuring in the past three decades neither side could taste victory after the Suraj Abeysekara led St. Peter’s beat St. Joseph’s in 1978.

‘The Island’ met Niranjan Rodrigo, who was probably the youngest player at the 1978 ‘Battle of the Saints’ ‘Big Match’ recently with these questions. Rodrigo made his debut under the captaincy of Suraj Abeysekara, who is the last captain from either side to taste victory. Incidentally, Rodrigo happened to be the orator at a pre-Big Match Dinner hosted for the present teams, recently.

According to Rodrigo, all that matters is good sportsmanship and positive play. These will pave the way for teams to break the deadlock.

"There are a lot of expectations when ‘Big Matches’ are round the corner. Since it is the ‘Big Match’ no one wants to lose it. Because of that, no one wants to make sporty declarations like the captains of the two teams did in the 1978 match which is still spoken of by the older generation with admiration," said Rodrigo who is now the Director at Aitken Spence Travels.

"A result was possible only because of the sporty declarations of the two captains," said Rodrigo giving a summary of the memorable ‘Big Match’.

St. Joseph’s batting first scored 217 for 9 declared and St. Peter’s struggling in their reply, declared at 161 for 8 with a deficit of 56 runs. In their second innings St. Joseph’s declared their innings at 127 for 6 and offered the Petes a target of 184 to win in the last session. St. Peter’s reached it for the loss of four wickets.

"It was a crucial decision by Abeysekara as we had a deficit of over 50 runs. In return St. Joseph’s captain Shamilal de S. Wijeratne too made a bold decision. We had to chase over 180 runs in the last session. We lost two quick wickets. In most cases, the team would have put up shutters and played for a draw. Despite losing two quick wickets for nine runs, the team played positively. Kitto Fernandopulle scored an unbeaten 65. Rohan Buultjens with 73 runs and Walter Fernando contributing with some useful quick runs, we managed to achieve the target with three overs to spare. And the achievement left a lasting legacy in the Joe-Pete ‘Big Match’ history," described Rodrigo.

Playing only his first ‘Big Match’ Rodrigo was not ready for great heroics but he made a reasonable contribution which he still cherishes. "I couldn’t make a big contribution but I took a brilliant catch to dismiss the opposition captain," recalled Rodrigo.

The declarations

The decision to declare with a deficit of over 50 runs was something that could be expected only from a team with a lot of confidence. Asked what made the captain take such a decision Rodrigo explained; "The captain was very much confident that the team could do better in the second innings in all departments. In the lead up to the ‘Big Match’ we had done well against a number of formidable teams. We restricted Prince of Wales to 33 runs, Ananda to 34 runs and Nalanda College to 67 runs in our two day matches. Abeysekara had the confidence that the team would make in the second innings."

Meanwhile, Rodrigo added that the decision was taken by the captain alone and there were no influence from anybody. In the 1978 St. Peter’s were coached by Dr. H. I. K. Fernando and ironically, St. Joseph’s were coached by Tony Opatha, the former St. Peter’s player who also represented Sri Lanka at National level.

Referring to the strengths of the two teams, Rodrigo recalled that several players in the two teams went on to represent Sri Lanka at deferent levels. "Kitto Fernandopulle played for Sri Lanka Under-19 against Australia Under-19 where the likes of David Boon featured. And Rohan Buultjens went on to skipper Sri Lanka Under-23. From St. Joseph’s, Rohan Wijesinghe (Jnr) played for Sri Lanka Junior teams. While Vinothan John who was also a member of the St. Peter’s team went on to represent Sri Lanka, Rumesh Ratnayake who also became a household name in Sri Lanka, was a reserve in that match. Later, he was the vice captain for St. Peter’s in 1982.

Rodrigo urged both captains, Ruwantha Fernandopulle (St. Joseph’s) and Anuk Silva (St. Peter’s) to show the qualities of true sportsmanship at the 74th encounter that begins at the P. Sara Stadium.

Rodrigo, who played for St. Peter’s for five years went on to captain the college in 1983.


SPC TEAM 1978The team picture of St. Peter’s College who won the 1978 ‘Big Match’
Standing from left: Niranjan Rodrigo, A. Fonseka, Treherne Pereira, Rumesh Ratnayake, A. Dassanayke, Michael Elias, B. Mohamad Ali, J. Abeyguneratne, S. Perera.

Seated from left: Austin Fernando (MiC), Walter Fernando, C. (Kitto) Fernandopulle (V. Captain), Suraj Abeysekera (Captain), Rohan Buultjens, Vinothen John, Dr. H.I.K. Fernando (Coach)
On Ground: Groundsmen Nicholas and Somadasa. 
 

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