The 85th edition of the traditional Josephian-Peterite annual cricket encounter was played on Friday, March 1st & Sat. March 2nd, 2019. The 'SAINTS' went marching in for another confrontation on familiar hunting grounds – the P. Sara Oval, competing for the Rev. Fr. Maurice Le Goc Challenge Trophy. Both teams had fared reasonably well during the Inter-School cricket season and there was an aura of excitement leading up to the game. The school by the Beira was led by Ashain Daniel, an off-spinner of repute. The school by the Wellawatta Canal was led by lanky Ranmith Jayasena, 4th year, who had amassed over 700 runs with two centuries.
The two prestigious Catholic institutions will battle hard for the Rev. Fr Maurice Le Goc trophy, an encounter which began way back in 1933 with St. Joseph’s College winning the inaugural clash. Rev. Fr Maurice Le Goc was the rector of both institutions and the trophy for the ‘Big match’ is named in his He first served at St. Joseph’s College and then went on to become the first rector at St. Peter’s College. Going by archived history, the Josephians started playing cricket in 1898 while St. Peter's College had its baptism to cricket in 1928. Henry A. Silva and Norman Paternott were the first captains of SJC and SPC respectively. The Josephian-Peterite encounter had its baptism in 1933. The of captaining the inaugural Josephian-Peterite Encounter in 1933 fell on Robert Fernando – St. Joseph's College and George Jayaweera – St. Peter's College.
The Josephian-Peterite Series between two of the leading Roman Catholic institutions have produced few wins in the eighty-five years with the Josephians winning 12 'Big Matches' and the Peterites – 10, while 63 have ended in 'no-decision'. St. Joseph’s College last won under the leadership of Ruwantha Fernandopulle in 2008 while St. Peter’s College recorded their last win in 2016 under the leadership of Vinu Mohotty.
The game is played over 2-days with a 60-over cap or limit in the first innings for each team. The first innings being restricted to 60 overs will once again spice up the match with a total of 210 overs scheduled to be bowled over the course of two days. Despite the limit on a decision has been wanting with 74 per cent of the games in the series ending in a draw. This has prompted this writer to suggest a review of the structure of the game. It is best to explore the possibility of playing over three days with a limit of 75-overs in the first innings only. We have seen revolutionary changes in history, such as the destruction of the "Berlin Wall", introduction of limited over cricket (ODI & T20) and many others. So why not change the format of the "Battle of the Saints".
The general logistics connected with organizing and planning the event have reached another level with a Joint Organizing Committee comprising 'Old Boys' from both schools working hard in unison to cover all bases and provide a pleasant environment for the spectators who join in the festivities. Rev. Fr. Travis Gabriel (Rector, SJC) and Rev. Fr. Trevor Martin (Rector, SPC) are both heavily engaged in the pre-game planning and provides insightful leadership to ensure the event takes place inclusive of the values established by the pioneers who started this historical cricket match in 1933.
85th Encounter Match Update on March 1&2, 2019
The coin toss was won by Josephian skipper Ashain Daniel, who elected to field first. The Peterites scored 219 runs in the mandatory 60 overs. Dinith Anjula, 41, Santhush Gunathilake, 72, Rankith Jayasena, 21, Nipunaka Fonseka, 21, Wanuja Sahan, 26, helped boost the score. , top scoring for the Peterites with 72 runs coming in at #3. He and Anjula were associated in a productive 59-run partnership. The run-rate was 3.65 per over and the Peterites fell short by about 21 runs that would have made it a good total. Skipper Ashain Daniel bowled best taking 3 for 58.
In reply, the Josephians got off to a splendid star with openers Shevon Fonseka, 35, and Johanne Zilva, 45, putting on 72 runs for the opening wicket. However, a quick turnaround saw Kanishka Maduwantha take two wickets in 2 balls sending De Zilva and Shevon Daniel back to the pavilion. This brought out Dineth Jayakody and Dilesh Perera to stem the Josephian innings with an entertaining stand of 115 runs for the fourth wicket. 77 runs laced with six fours and two sixes (in 110 balls) before he was bowled by Shivan Perera. Perera scored 62 inclusive of six fours and a one six. 19 in 15 balls) and Sachintha Mahindasinghe (22 in 15 balls) chipped in with 19 and 22 runs respectively. The Josephians raced to a strong 286/8 in their allotted 60 overs on second day's play, as the Josephians secured a crucial 67 run lead.
Facing a deficit of 67 runs, the Josephians fought back reducing the Peterites to 88 for five wickets and then 106 for six wickets in the 2nd innings. Skipper Ashian Daniel, Lakshan Gamage, Ashan and Shalinda Senaviratne were responsible for the early damage as as three batsmen lost their wickets without reaching double figures. The Petes had just had taken a lead of 39 runs when their sixth wicket fell in the second innings well before tea. The Joes were in a comfortable position at this stage and staring at a possible win. But this was not to be – fought back. Former skipper Santhush Gunathilaka161*, and Kanishka Maduwantha89*, defied the Josephian attack and a possible win,
"BATTLE OF THE SAINTS" – SOME SERIES RECORDS + TRIVIA OF NOTE (UP TO AND INCLUDING 2019)
- Cricket Encounter inaugurated in 1933;
- Robert Fernando led St. Joseph's College in 1933;
- George Jayaweera led St. Peter's College in 1933;
- The highest individual score in a 'big match' is 204 runs scored by Clive Inman in 1954;
- Best bowling figures of 9 for 41 in an inning held by Shenal Warnakula of St. Joseph's College in 1997;
- Highest team score for St. Joseph's College is 382 under the Captaincy of Ken Serpanchy in 1952;
- Highest team score for St. Peter's College is 345 under the captaincy of Percy Perera in 1938;
- Lowest team score for St. Joseph's College is 56 in 1938 under the captaincy of Edward Markus;
- Lowest team score for St. Peter's College is 36 in 1972 under the captaincy of Roy Dias;
- The highest aggregate of runs in a 'big match' – 233 by Santhush Gunathilake in 2019 (72 + 161 = 233);
- The highest partnership for any wicket in a 'big match' – 219 by Fred Pereira and David Arndt for St. Joseph's College in 1934.
Record partnerships
- Kanishka Maduwantha and Santhush Gunathilake added an unbroken 211 runs for the 7th wicket as they broke a number of records in the process. The 211 partnership was the all-time highest partnership for any wicket for the Peterites as the duo eclipsed the record of 182 set by Clive Inman, 204 (Retd.) and Kenneth Duckworth, 59, (6th wicket) in the year 1954.
- An old record is still standing. Fred Perera, 114 not out and David Arndt, 110 for St. Joseph's hold the record for the highest partnership for any wicket when the pair made 219 runs 1934 in the 2nd encounter of the Josephian-Peterite series.
- Santhush Gunathilake’s 2019 match aggregate of 233 runs (72 + 161) is the highest match aggregate in the entire series. This record was previously held by Rohan Buultjens of St. Peter's College who had a match aggregate of 209 runs (100 + 109) in 1979.
- Santhush Gunathilake created another Peterite record when he went past the season tally of 1547 runs in a season held by Angelo Perera in 2009.
TEAMS
St. Peter's College – Dinith Anjula, Banuka De Silva, Santhush Gunathilaka, Ranmith Jayasena (Captain), Nipunaka Fonseka, Shivaan Perera, Shannon Fernando, Kanishka Maduwantha, Wanuja Sahan, Ruvin Senevirathne, Tariq Saboor.
St. Joseph's College – Sheran Fonseka, Johanne De Zilva, Shevon Daniel, Dineth Jayakody, Dunith Wellalage, Dilesh Perera, Sachintha Mahindasinghe, Lakshan Gamage, Ashain Daniel (Captain), Ashan De Alwis, Shalinda Senevirathne
Match Summary & Award Winners
St Joseph’s College drew with St Peter’s College in the 85th Battle of the Saints Cricket encounter played at the P Sara Oval.St Peter’s College 1st Innings 219 all out in 60 overs
2 for 38, Ashan 2 for 43, Ashian Daniel 3 58St Joseph’s College 1st Innings 286 for 8 in 60 overs
Johanne de Zilva 45, Sheran Fonseka 37, Dineth Jayakody 77, Dilesh Perera 62, Sachintha Mahindasinghe 22St Peter’s College 2nd Innings 317 for 6 in 79 overs at
Daniel 2 65
- Man of the Match Santhush Gunatilleke (SPC)
- Best All Rounder Kanishka Maduwantha (SPC)
- Best Batsman Santhush Gunatilleke (SPC)
- Best Bowler Ashian Daniel (SJC)
- Best Fielder Sheran Fonseka (SJC)