Courtesy: Thushan Jayasuriya – Daily News.
The 81st annual "Battle of the Saints" big match between Sri Lanka's most prominent Catholic Schools St.Joseph's College and St.Peter's College will be played on March 6 and 7 at P.Sara Oval Stadium. This was revealed at a media briefing held at St.Peter's College on Monday. For the first time, a joint organizing committee has formed with the objective of attract more crowd for the two day encounter. St. Joseph's College rector Rev.Fr. Travis Gabriel addressing the media stated that this event will build a strong bond, friendship and unity as a one catholic family which will be the salient feature of this big event played for the Rev. Fr. Maurice Legoc memorial trophy. Former Sri Lankan cricketer Tony Opatha, the Peterite Captain in 1967 will be the Chief guest for the big match encounter. The Rector of the St.Peter's College Trevoe Martin explaining the rules and regulations said " As per the special conditions since 2000, the first innings of both teams will be limited to 60 overs.
Each team will bowl 60 overs irrespective of interruption of unless all out. However the team has the options of declaring within the 60 overs and the team batting second could be enforced to follow-on at the end of the 60 overs even if they are 100 runs behind though they are not all out." St.Peter's College will be hosting the two day big match while St.Joseph's College will host the 41st limited over encounter which will take place on March 14 at R.Premadasa Stadium. Prasan Leanage who was the Joes Captain in 1989 will be the chief guest in this event. The Josephians are leading the series tally with 12 victories where they scored their last win in 2008 under the captaincy of Ruwantha Fernandopulle while the Peterites have nine victories in their hand with their last win in 2012 under the captaincy of Shehan Fernando. Once again the Joes leads the overall tally winning 21 to Pete's 17 in the limited over game.
The St.Joseph's College Rector also said that there's a vehicle parade for the old boys of both schools which is to be held on March 14 parallel to the one day encounter and the schoolboys of both schools have been advised not to attend it. Mercantile Investments and Finance will be the main sponsor for this event.
