Peterite Rugby 1959

My interest in rugby was spurred on in my very early years by Ago Paiva as I lived close to his home. There was a fairly large green available to boys of my age and we were inspired by Ago to make the grade in rugby. For the record, Ago played both rugby and cricket for college and his halves combination with Mahes Rodrigo at the base of the scrum, was undoubtedly the best both the CR & FC and the Ceylon rugby teams had at the time. I was selected in the college rugby team in 1957 and it included Jayantha Fernando, Christie Marathalingam, Russell Duckworth, Desmond Dharmarajah, Brian Seneviratne and Adiel Anghie, who played dual roles of also being outstanding cricketers. We had a good reputation as a competitive side and we got the better of many schools that year, except Trinity College. As we knew, Trinity was last beaten years earlier by teams in which our legendary coach at the time, Archibald Perera, played.

By: Tony Johnson – Peterite Ruggerite

I must specifically speak about a very outstanding performance we had against the Royal College XV in 1959. Our team was rated far below than that of the very star-studded Royalists, including players such as Maurice Anghie, HS & Lalin Silva and Tony Rankine. Royal had beaten a strong Trinity team in the first round of the Bradley Shield and no doubt thought that beating our comparatively inexperienced team was going to be a mere formality. However, we got stuck into Royal from the word go, starting with their talented fly half Maurice Anghie being sidelined with injury following a fairly hard tackle from me and the other wing forward Hatim Dawoodbhoy. This had a demoralising effect on Royal and was the incentive for us to play as we had never played before. Didacus de Almeida and Donald Dissanayake, our centre-three quarters tackled as they had never tackled. It was important that they did so since the Royal forwards such as HS and Lalin were undoubtedly taller and bigger than any of us and were able to dominate the line outs. Tony Rankine replaced Maurice Anghie as fly half and he was given a pretty hard time by Hatim and me, so all told their formidable three-quarters were literally at a standstill. With this impetus we went on to lead Royal until almost the final whistle when they were able to draw the match due to a penalty awarded against us. This totally unexpected and outstanding overall performance against Royal received plenty of press coverage, and it is a match Fritsz Ohlmus, Dida and I always talked about when we met socially. On the humorous side our coach, Archibald Perera, had many things to say to us following one game. Archie addressing Hatim, said: “I say Dawoodbhoy, you are very fond of fowl”! And when asked the reason for this statement, Archie said: “You had that fowl under your arm which you wanted to have for dinner, so although you had a man on the left and the right of you, you just did not get rid of it – which in this instance was really the rugby ball that you had so firmly grasped in both your hands.” 

By: Stewart Schneider-Loos (SPC Rugby 1983 – 1984). Courtesy: Sunday Leader.

Although it was over 30 years ago, it seems like only yesterday…With the current schools rugby season in full swing, I would like to take you back thirty odd-years to reminisce about the Peterite team of 1984.

That year we did not win a championship, but I can assure you that the blokes that made up the side were a bunch of champions who played with pride and passion.

The pre-season commenced with the commanding Frank Hubert (better known as Frankie to most) in charge as head coach. It was in fact his second season as head coach since the demise of the legendary Archibald Perera. Frankie had been assisting Archie since leaving college in 1975.

Unfortunately for college, it was also to be his last season, as Frankie took up a job overseas the following year. His support team was made up of Orville Fernando, the well-known Peterite and former Havies and Sri Lanka forward and until last week the head of the Referees Society, as well as Shanaka Abeywickrema, the former Peterite hooker.

The late Austin Fernando made up the other part of the team management as Master in Charge of Sport at college. We had Nigel Forbes of the present Rugby Foundation fame, shaping up as the captain and number eight for the season. Unfortunately, the ministry of education overruled on his eligibility to participate in the schools season that year. However, Nigel went on to represent Havelock’s Sports club at division one club rugby later that year.

Many players vying for a position in the 1st fifteen that year had been inducted into rugby by the legend himself, Archibald Perera, be it at the junior level or as a player in the second fifteen squads of prior years. Rugby was everything to us; we literary ate, drank and slept rugby.

Many of us, in what was the last of the “English Medium” attended school, just so that we could play rugby.  Thanks to Frankie, we were also fed a good diet of Peterite rugby history, culture and heritage. He would always relate stories of previous greats, and their exploits on the rugby field. Frankie was an encyclopaedia on Peterite rugby.

The season started with the usual early morning sessions, the road runs, which took us past the Bambalapitiya flats, as well as the house of the famous “De Silva’s” down Laurie’s road. Frankie, as coach was a strict disciplinarian, and took fitness training very seriously.  Some of the fitness sessions were absolute torture, with blokes actually throwing up.  Frankie, who was also the leading SLRFU referee at the time, spent a lot of time teaching us the rules of the game. He instilled in us the importance of understanding the laws of the game and that we needed to abide by them to the letter.

By the time the first game of the season came around, Viraj Fernando was appointed captain of the team. He was one of the few coloursmen in the team and was playing in his favourite position of fly half. Viraj was an easy going and a likeable chap who was able to rally the team around him.  He also had a reputation as a good basketball player.Viraj is now domiciled in Toronto, Cananda.

That year, the 1st XV squad was made up of the following players.

Our front row was made up of Props, Illanguwan Dharamalingham and Baguwan Mohinani. Stewart Loos was the Hooker and substituted as a prop when required. We had Mohamed Misverdeen (who represented Sri Lanka at the under 24’s, Captained the University of Colombo and also represented the CH&FC) and Sampath Gomez (the night driver) in the second row.  The back row was manned by the crack “spoiler” Chrishan Fernando, Balkan Rayen (Brother of former Peterite, Havies and Sri Lanka wing forward Hubert Rayen) and fast breaking Dave Croon. My position was always under pressure from Niranjan “Kitty” Wimalasena, the younger brother of “Pussa” PrasannaWimalasena. We had Kevin Rasquinho, the one tackle wonder who was a utility player that could fill in any position. Nilantha Silva was also a reserve that came on and made an impact during that season. Young Ramsey Decker was the replacement number 8 and Nilantha Pullenayagam, a strong wing forward
The scrumhalves position was shared that season by Colin Franke, and the naturally talented athlete in late Rowan Gunasekera. Viraj Fernando was the fly half and inside centre at times. Rohan Paiva, a naturally gifted player, also manned fly half position.  Jerome Brohier was the inside centre. The outside centre was Graham Raux, who incidentally was the only player in the 1st XV team of 1984 to go on and don the national colours. Tyronne Fernando was a handy outside when he ran on for college.

The wingers were Royce Buultjens, better known for his cricket and the record-breaking captain of 1985, Rajith Abeygunawardena. Crofton Joseph our ever-reliable place kicker was the fullback was also well known for his skills at hockey and soccer. Ravi Direkze also occupied the positions of fullback and or winger from time to time.

Our classroom, grade 12 English Commerce was located over the chapel, with full view of the Galle Road. During the season it was also considered the “war room” of the 1st fifteen rugby team. We would have players from other classes drop in for a chat. Many a discussion about how we were progressing, debates on who should play where as well as lots of strategy was drawn up in this room.

The names of some of the prominent players who featured in the opposition teams that year were:

St Thomas – Jeremy John, Asanga Seneviratne (Current President of the SLRFU), Graham Tissera

Royal – Sampath Agalawatte, Janaka Lenaduwa, Ajith Weeratunga, Chiro Nanayakkara, Ajith Gunasekera & Feroze Suhaib
Isipathana – Nizam Jamaldeen, Shabeen Siddik & SanathMartis (the previous Peterite and Sri Lanka Schools coach),

Trinity – Sivaji Subramanium, IkramOdayar, Dilakshan Ratwatte, Manoj Jayatissa, Roger Halangoda& Ravi Pillai
St Anthony’s – Priyantha Ekanayake (Former Kandy and Sri Lanka Skipper)
St Joseph’s – Michael Perera

SPC ended being runner’s up in the schools rugby sevens competition for the Philip Buultjens trophy. We lost to a star-studded team from Royal College in the final (five players from that Royal college team went on to play for the President cup winning CR & FC team that year). We beat St Thomas’s in the quarterfinals and Trinity College in the Semi final; this was sweet revenge for loss we experienced earlier in the season.

At the end of the 1984 season, even though St Peters was not as successful as some of the other schools, we had four players selected to represent the Colombo Schools team for the Gratiaen Cup. They were Rajith Abegunawardena, Illangoonwan Dharamalingm, Royce Buultjens and Stewart Loos.  The late Jeffery de Jong refereed that match which was against the outstation schools. Our own Rohan Paiva captained the under 17’s Colombo Schools side for the Tyrell Muttiah Trophy, which included the late Rowan Gunasekera and Ramsey Decker.

To this day, being biased, we believe that the team of 84’ broke the hoodoo in Kandy. We believe that poor refereeing decisions stopped us in our tracks. Our team was the forerunner for Rajith Abeygunawardena’sall conquering side of 1985.

There are two games that were of significance to the team that season. The first was the encounter against St. Thomas’s. The Archibald Perera trophy was on offer for the second time. St Peters had lost it the previous year and we knew it was our duty to bring it back to Bambalapitya where it rightly belonged. In that game, we controlled the majority of the possession, but failed to convert possession to points. We also missed a vital conversion that cost us a win.

It was in that game that the Petes halves combination came of age. Rowan Gunersekera and Rohan Paiva were at their best. We won ball in the lineout’s and our scrums were solid. I won a couple of strikes against the feed off the more experienced Jeremy John. We had to settle for a draw.

This was not what we wanted, we wanted a win, and we were left disappointed and empty. We had let the great old man, Frankie and ourselves down.

The second was the encounter against Trinity at Bogambara. The Lions were a star-studded outfit, while the Petes were a confident team after the draw against St. Thomas’s the previous week. We opened scoring in the 15th minute when Rowan set the line in motion after we had won a scrum in the Lion’s 25’. Skipper and centre Viraj Fernando scored by the corner flag after Jerome Brohier had cut loose.  The always-reliable Crofton Joseph missed the conversion.  The Trinitians struggled to cope with the pressure unleashed by the Peterite forwards; Chrishan Fernando, Dave Croon, Mohamed Misverdeen and Balkan Rayen were outstanding. We lead 4 – Nil at half time.

The fierce battle continued in the second half.  Trinity cut down the lead when they were awarded a questionable penalty eight minutes to the end of the match just after we lost our experienced flanker, Chrishan Fernando to injury. Nilantha Silva came on as replacement. We continued to defend the slim lead, whilst listening out for the long whistle. Our supporters were already celebrating the historic win. Had the referee lost his whistle?

At this point I was injured; however the referee would not allow a doctor on the field. The referee wanted play to go on. In semi darkness, and long past the fulltime mark, SivajiSubramaniam barged over to score the winning points for Trinity. It was a gut wrenching experience; one man had stolen the dream of ‘84! We had beaten the lions in their own den.

As a result of the poor refereeing in that game, Frank Hubert who was also the top SLRFU referee at that time resigned as a member of the SLRFU referees association. He did not want to be part of a group that involved biased referees. It was a real pity as Anton Benedict was down to referee both these key games, but was replaced by Tony Amit. It was ironic that Tony Amit would later go on to coach St. Peters at rugby.

Unfortunately, Frank Hubert would miss out on the opportunity to referee at the ASIAD in Japan later that year, due to his resignation. Frankie always believed in being fair and stood by his team. To this day he has no regrets for his actions.

Whilst many of the players have migrated to places such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA, strong friendships that were forged during that season have been maintained.From time to time, a few of us would meet when on vacation in Colombo and take the opportunity to exchange yarns and speak about the good old times.  I am sure that the teams that have gone before us as well as those after would have had similar experiences.

The Peteriteteam of 84 was a great side; it was a year that we thoroughly enjoyed and one in which we built strong bonds. It was a year that would prepare us for the rest of our lives. I always wondered why they say; “Rugby is the game they play in heaven” I now know why.

To celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Team of 84’ a reunion has been organised for the weekend commencing the 20th of June. Celebrations will begin in Colombo and culminate with a trip to Pallekalle to witness the SPC vs Trinity match. We have members of that team travelling back to Colombo from around the world to participate in the reunion.

September 15, 2012, 6:36 pm
An end of an innings was signaled when the last breath of life was snuffed out of all that was mortal of my dear friend, Jayantha Fernando.

Had he lived he would have surpassed the biblical span of three score and ten and exceeded it by another five years to reach 75 years; which would have been on November 2 this year.

Jayantha was the son of the late Mr. Lucas Fernando, who incidentally was a dear friend of my late father. Jayantha’s mother died when he was a child of five years. He was one of four siblings and they were his two brothers; Lancelot and Bryan, and his sister, Ula. They lived at Layards Road, while we lived on the opposite side at Anderson Road. Jayantha used to walk to school at St Peter’s College.

He was an outstanding sportsman; perhaps the best in our era. He captained St. Peter’s first eleven at cricket and whilst at school he played for the SSC. He captained St. Peter’s playing for the first fifteen at rugby and he played for the CR & FC, while still at school.

He also captained St. Peter’s College at tennis and was always a finalist in the men’s open singles. His opponent was a Royalist who captained cricket and rugby – Lorensz Pereira. Jayantha was also an outstanding athlete in the sprints and hurdles. Once again his opponent was Lorensz Pereira. He was awarded colours for the four sports he participated in.

On leaving school, he joined Keell & Waldock, as it was known. He was trained as a tea taster by the late Mark Bostock. It was after his spell at Keell’s that he joined A. F. Jones where his mentor was Merril J. Fernando. Subsequently, he joined ‘Ferntea’ which was owned by Merril J. Fernando and he continued to be a tea taster. After a few years he bought 50% of the stock of this company and subsequently, purchased the entirety of the company. About ten years ago a group of Malaysian investors bought in to the company and after Jayantha left they closed down the company. Jayantha continued to export teas from his office at Guilford Crescent until he died.

Some 15 years ago, he was appointed the Honorary Consul for the Czech Republic and was the Honorary Secretary of the Association of Consuls in Sri Lanka for over a decade right up to his death.

Jayantha was an excellent vocalist and used to sing at many parties, entertaining guests who would keep asking for encores.

He was able to fulfill all these roles only because he got the support of his dear wife Kanthika. Jayantha married Kanthika on December 2, 1968 and was married for 44 years. He and Kanthika have two outstanding children in Crishane and Shyamica and is blessed with two grand children. Kanthika was the guiding light in Jayantha’s life.

His greatest characteristic was his innate humility and tolerance for others. He was steadfast in his faith and deeply admired by his friends as he was never found wanting in the manifestation of his faith. He walked to church every day for Holy Mass. Here was a man who had all the trappings of wealth, the talents of an exceptional sportsman and lived a very simple and humble life. What an amazing combination of gifts!

His death will be mourned by Kanthika, Chrishane and Shyamica and all his friends, whose lives he touched. He was beloved of God and beloved of man and his memory will be held in benediction.

Farewell dear Jayantha; till we meet again on that distant shore.

Manik Pereira

Canadian Thanksgiving 2015 Overview

Like the United States, Canada gives thanks for its good fortune once a year and eats itself silly with turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes.

Whereas American Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November, in Canada the second Monday of October is a statutory, or public, holiday.

This year, Canadian Thanksgiving falls on Monday, Oct 12, 2015.

The Canadian Thanksgiving holiday is officially observed on the second Monday of October, however people generally get together for their Thanksgiving meal on any one of the three days of this three-day holiday weekend.

Although Canadians do tend to get together on Thanksgiving weekend, the holiday is not as big a celebration in Canada as it is in the U.S., where Thanksgiving is the year's biggest holiday occasion.

~~VERY REV. FR. M.J. LE GOC: Discovered fungus which threatened sacred Bo tree Etymologically, Le Goc means 'The cheerful man'. True to the word 'great' in all respects, Fr. Le Goc was a cheerful person. His child-like simplicity and charming and generous manner, won the hearts of all. Today, I as a teacher for 40 years, of which a full 20 years were as Principal of the Upper School and the Middle School of St. Joseph’s College, Maradana, Colombo am really fortunate to have got an opportunity of writing something about that great Rector, the unique Frenchman, the Very Rev. Fr. Maurice James Le Goc. In his life time, he was a legend. He was a person of high renown, a celebrated scientist, an astronomer, an architect, a builder of high degree and an educationist of great calibre. Much more than that he was a man of intrepid faith who renounced his fortune, glittering positions and dedicated his life for the services of God and man. Fr. Maurice James Le Goc was born in France in the year 1881. He had his early education in The Christian Brothers’ School in Quimper. When he was 20 years, hearing a call from God he entered the Seminary of the Congregation of The Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI). He did his B.Sc. and M.A. in London and his doctorate in Rome. He was renowned as a Botanist and an Astronomer. He was ordained a priest on March 30, 1907 at the age of 26 years.

~~In 1914 Fr. Le Goc arrived in Sri Lanka. He was appointed to the staff of St. Joseph’s College, Colombo and was made the Head of the School Science Department. Four years later in 1919 Fr. Le Goc was appointed the Rector of St. Joseph’s College. While being the Rector, he was also a teacher of science subjects, especially botany, biology, zoology and astronomy. He himself wrote a book titled Text on Tropical Botany which was used not only in St. Joseph’s College but in all the schools in the island as a text book prescribed by the Department of Education.

This book became a text book in India as well. Being deeply involved in science in which he showed a special interest, Fr. Le Goc was instrumental in perfecting the college laboratory. His service was so recognized that it did not take much long for the Department of Education to seek the assistance of Fr. Le Goc in the improving school laboratories all over the island, and this assistance he gave very willingly and ungrudgingly.

It was found that Fr. Le Goc was also a great exponent in nature study. His book titled Chapters on Nature Study became the standard text book in Sri Lanka as well as in India. As a botanist, the teaching and the practice of the subject was his great love. His collection of local flora made the college botanical garden very remarkable. He was a very valuable member in 'The Ceylon Natural History Society' to which he contributed immensely.

He was constantly active in extensive research work, especially on nature study. His research and studies on Sri Lanka’s Madu tree, found him recognition in the international field as well. The government of Sri Lanka was very quick in taking advantage of Fr. Le Goc’s exceptional talents, his reputation as a scientist and botanist. Once when the whole of Sri Lanka’s scientists specially the Botanists failed to find the cause of the unknown disease or fungus that was threatening to destroy the sacred Bo Tree (Sri Maha Bodhi) at Anuradhapura, Fr. Le Goc's assistance was sought.

Fr. Le Goc was requested by the then government to investigate the cause. Very soon he discovered the cause to the bewilderment of everybody concerned and helped to preserve this great historical and religious treasure of the entire Buddhist world, which stands in all its majesty today. Fr. Le Goc was a reputed lecturer at the Ceylon Medical College and at the Teachers Training College. He lectures were specially to university students and technological students.

He was on all the councils of education. In the circumstance of studies of natural science, in its theories as well as practicals, Fr. Le Goc started the St. Joseph’s College Farm at Waragoda in Kelaniya. It was a place for the college students to experiment agricultural ventures, hitherto experienced mostly by village children. It was an eye-opener and an experience in life time, to handle garden soil and organic manure of the farm yard.

It was also the vision of Fr. Le Goc to imbibe the students with knowledge as well as experience the dignity of labour. Fr. Le Goc displayed at all times, the importance of the study of astronomy. in our schools. He wrote a book on Astronomy, providing the reader with an introduction to the mystery of the skies. Fr. Le Goc was also an architect of repute. His knowledge in the sphere of architecture is fully and clearly exhibited when one lays his eyes on the beautiful massive buildings of St. Joseph’s College.

There is no one who is not really impressed by the lay-out of the college buildings, the spacious grounds, and the enchanting environment. The magnificent Chapel in the centre of the school premises designed and built by him to the style of the Church of St. John Lateran in Rome, is a very well fitting living monument to him.

While being the Rector of St. Joseph’s College, Fr. Le Goc with the objective of quality education in mind founded St. Peter’s College at Bambalapitiya which was then called St. Joseph’s College South which today is another leading Catholic School in Colombo. Fr. Le Goc also started St. John’s College, Dematagoda and St. Paul’s at Waragoda in Kelaniya. Thus Fr. Le Goc has given four leading educational institutions for or country, Sri Lanka.

Fr. Le Goc served first as a teacher at St. Joseph’s College for four years from 1916 to 1919 and then as Rector of the college for 21 years from 1919 to 1940 thus altogether accumulating 25 years of service at St. Joseph’s College. After his retirement from the College in 1940 he was appointed the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Colombo. His death was shocking and tragic. When on his normal daily routine journey to St. Bridget’s Convent, Colombo for Benediction, an out of control Army vehicle hit the car in which he was travelling, at Ward Place.

It was a terrific motor traffic accident. He was thrown out of his own vehicle onto the main road with serious head injuries. Almost instantly, he succumbed to his death. This unfortunate accident happened on the 17th of March 1945. He was then only 64 years of age. I was fortunate to have joined the massive funeral procession from St. Joseph’s College, Maradana to Borella Kanatte. I was then only a 12 year old school boy.

Today while we recollect his 70th death anniversary, we also recall our memories of his 134th birth anniversary. 25 years ago, the Philatelic Bureau of the Department of Posts of Sri Lanka, issued a colourful commemorative stamp of the size 30×40 mm of the value 75 cents on National Heroes' Day on 22nd May 1989 in honour of this great foreign Missionary, for the remarkable and valuable services rendered by him to our motherland.

May the soul of the Very Rev.Fr. Maurice James Le Goc Rest with the Lord!

D.C. JAYASINGHE
Former Principal Upper School/Middle School St. Joseph’s College, Colombo 10
 

A Sri Lankan sports journalist has listed some of the most memorable rugby battles between Trinity College and St. Peter's College.

The annual schools rugby fixture between St. Peter’s and Trinity is one of the oldest schools rugby matches and some of those memorable games are:

1956: At Bogambara Trinity led by David Frank and considered to be one of the strongest ever sides were held by the Peterites and with the game in the home stretch the score was nil all when disaster struck the Peterites as one of their players got injured and was carried off the field. The Peterites reduced to fourteen (no substitutions were allowed in that era) conceded seventeen points in the dying stages of the game.

1965: At Bambalapitiya the Peterite side led by the late Darrel Wimalaratne lost in a close game which was their only defeat of the season. They were the unofficial school champions.

Five players from that side including the captain himself went on to represent the Combined Colleges in their annual fixture against the University. The others were Royden de Silva, Hamzee Hameed, Ranjan Rajendran and Rodney Paternott.

1969: At Bambalapitiya the Peterites led by Sunil Perera (son of Archibald) confronted the unbeaten Trinity side. The Peterites took the lead and prevented Trinity from scoring but a penalty, late in the game by Shafi Jainudeen enabled them to squeeze out a draw and escape defeat.

1971: At Bambalapitiya a strong Trinity side that included a future Sri Lanka rugby captain Irwin Howie took what many thought was a convincing 11-0 lead at half time.

But St. Peter’s came back in the second half to equalize and force an honourable draw. For the Peterites it was like playing in two cup finals in one week for they met Issipatana on the Monday of the same week and were held to a five all draw. Jizvi Nizar captained the Peterites.

1972: At Nittawela on a Tuesday evening the Peterites considered the strongest schools side led by the irrepressible Jeffrey de Jong in a side that also included his brother Travis, Ronald Rodrigo, Noel Vanlangenberg, and Nimal Jayasuriya stunned the large crowd present with some superb rugby and with a 10-nil lead seemed to have the game under control but Trinity keeping to their “motto” ‘Respice Finem’ made a comeback to register another close victory.

The Peterites only defeat for that season was at the hands of Trinity. The Peterites were the schools unofficial champions.

1973: At Bambalapitiya Trinity were holding on to a one point lead and with the minutes ticking away the Peterites came storming into the Trinity 22 and were awarded a penalty. Here was the moment of truth for the Peterites since they still had to register a Post War victory. (a hoodoo).

Expectations were high but to the dismay of the Peterites the normally reliable Frankie Hubert’s kick hit the cross bar and with it the final whistle. A Peterite victory like the elusive dream had to wait for some unknown date in the future.

1984: At Bogambara St. Peter’s took an early lead through a fine try by their winger and held on to this lead till the very last moment when Trinity were able to score and seal victory.

It seems on that day that St. Peter’s were denied justice as the referee interpretation or either misinterpretation or sheer ignorance of the law on injury time was the contributory factor.

St. Peter’s didn’t have to wait long as in the following year 1985 they scored an 8-0 victory at Longden Place helped by two unconverted tries by Rovern Gunasekera and Crofton Joseph to break a 44 year old jinx.

It seems an irony of fate that the legendary Archibald Perera who coached generations of Peterite rugby players and when one speaks of Peterite rugby it is synonymous with Archie as he was affectionately called in his lifetime as coach never witnessed a Peterite victory over Trinity as he died in 1982.At the commencement of every season he would extol his charges with refrain “beat Trinity”.

It still echoes like music to the ears of those rugby players of the Golden Archie era when it was considered schools rugby’s biggest achievement for any school to beat Trinity.

Cricket by it’s very name is a reflective game, a game which above all things lends itself to write in the lovely flexible English; which we have inherited from our ancestors, conquerors and colonial rulers. "The game is the thing"……….."It matters not who wins or loses"…… "Play the game" . These can sound empty words in the context of the big matches of today where drawn games the curse of modern cricket seems the order of the day. Apart from above; in cricket today there is still a need of personalities. As we had of old, not only for the good of the game but for the inspiration and enthusiasm they engender in the younger generations that are to follow.

The St. Joseph’s College Cricket team of 1969

The time is ripe for the Battle of the Blues, Battle of the Saints and for so many traditional encounters. Therefore every cricket fan or an enthusiast would love to whisper and discuss of the heroics and the thrills that they have experienced throughout the ages of this healthy rivalry amongst the schools.

The "Team '69" of St. Joseph’s College Colombo had something unique that year; since they fielded a well balanced outfit. The Darley Road School was led by that dashing, exciting bat Brian Obeyesekere and was under the watchful eyes of former all Ceylon all-rounder Fairlie Dalpethado. They played 12 matches and won four. In the 35th Battle of the saint’s encounter which took place at Sara stadium was evenly balanced since the Peterites too fielded a formidable outfit led by all-rounder Denham Juriansz. The match ended in a draw where both teams shared the honours.

Brian Obeyesekere, Star left hand-bat Lalith De S. Wijayaratne. Hard hitting Srilal Samarasekera stole the lime light in batting for the Joes while skipper Juriansz, Dyan Madawala and former Sri Lanka Star bat Roy Dias excelled for St. Peter’s with the bat. In bowling ; Arthur Hakel the Josephian firebrand (Who was one of the fastest amongst the schools at that time) and Wendel Kelaart were very economical and disturbed the opposition. For St. Peter's Skipper Juriansz and Madawala were the pick of the bowlers.

The season had the curtains with Elegant Lefthander of St. Joseph's Lalith De S. Wijayaratne being adjudged as the “Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year." People of the caliber of Obeyesekere , Hakel, Samarasekera , Johnpillai and Gihan Dalpethado who not only excelled in cricket but were allround sportsmen by taking part in Soccer, Rugby-football, Athletics and Swimming. To date these great men serve their Alma mater with love and dedication in advisory capacity. Their fervent hope is that the Josephian team would be victorious in the forthcoming 77th Battle of the Saints encounter Against St Peter's.

Josephian cricket team of 1969
Standing (from left): Ajit Johnpulle, Radly de Silva, Dilantha Mendis, Anton Jayawardena, Srilal Samarasekara, Wiji Johnpulle, Wendal Kelart, Gihan Dalpathado, Manik Wijeratne, Arthur Hakel, Nimal Ranchigoda.
Seated (from left): Kevin Perera, Fairlie Dalpathado (coach), Brian Obeyesekere (captain), Fr. WLA Don Peter (rector), Lalith Wijeratne, Angelo Rayer (master in charge), Hector Perera

Josephian team of 1969 reunites after 40 years

Josephian cricket team of 1969 Standing (from left): Ajit Johnpulle, Radly de Silva, Dilantha Mendis, Anton Jayawardena, Srilal Samarasekara, Wiji Johnpulle, Wendal Kelart, Gihan Dalpathado, Manik Wijeratne, Arthur Hakel, Nimal Ranchigoda. Seated (from left): Kevin Perera, Fairlie Dalpathado (coach), Brian Obeysekera (captain), Fr. WLA Don Peter (rector), Lalith Wijeratne, Angelo Rayer (master in charge), Hector Perera

It was yet another memorable evening on March 4 since the Joe – Pete past cricketers met for their annual cocktails and followed it up with a fellowship dinner held at Elephant Lounge Colombo Hilton.

However the Josephian team of 1969 led by dashing bat Brian Obeyesekere, had something special that evening where all members of that outfit were reunited after nearly four decades. The only missing person was the late Rector Rev. Dr. WLA Don Peter whom we believe would have blessed us from celestial observed Arthur Hakel, the Josephian firebrand and also a fine athlete in his day at college. He also emphasised the fact that former master-in-charge Angelo Rayer was specially flown from Karachi where he is the Dean of Advanced Level section of St. Patrick�s High School, Karachi. With the presence of their illustrious coach former St Joseph�s and All-Ceylon all-rounder Fairlie Dalpathado, Kevin Pereira and Radley de Silva all flying in from Australia the Josephian team of 1969 wouldn�t have found a better occasion than this to re-unite and recap their past glories with great nostalgia.

This annual event was organised to coincide with the Josephian – Peterite 75th (Platinum Jubilee encounter) which took place on March 6 and 7 at the Saravanamuttu Stadium. The match ended in a draw with St Joseph�s taking the major honours. – (SP)

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