A unique sporting event in the sporting calendar of Sri Lanka came to a unique ending on Sunday, 24th August at St. Peter’s College grounds. The event is unique because there is no other such event where the Old Boys or past pupils of a group of schools in Sri Lanka come together in a sporting contest.
The annual Saints Quadrangular tournament conducted among 4 Catholic Schools in Sri Lanka was the brainchild of the Old Benedictines for their OBU Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 1963. A number of schools were invited by the Benedictines for this inaugural tournament, but only three schools responded namely St. Anthony’s College, Kandy and from Colombo St. Joseph’s College and St. Peter’s College.
Subsequent to the inaugural event organised by the Old Benedictines it was an Old Anthonian, Mr. Ranjith Samarasekera who was responsible for the annual event that is now the popular Saints Quadrangular.
With only a 2 day cricket match played among the past players of the four schools in the early years of this popular tournament, it has since changed in format to a 25 overs a side limited overs cricket match and now includes a veterans cricket match for the over 40s introduced in 2002, basketball added in 2004 and 7 a side rugby from this year onwards.
In matches conducted over 2 days (23rd and 24th August) and played in the true spirit of sportsmanship and the brotherly relationships that exist among these 4 Catholic Colleges, the other unique feature of this competition emerged at the end of the 2nd day where each of the four Colleges had won a championship trophy (pic. Below).
The championships won by the respectful schools were as follows:
In the main cricket final that was between St. Peter’s and St. Joseph’s (traditional Big Match rivals), played at St. Peter’s College grounds, the Old Peterites emerged victorious. Old Peterites 181 for 7 in 25 overs and Old Joes 92 all out in 23.3 overs.
In the veterans (over 40) cricket finals, played at St. Thomas’ College grounds Mt. Lavinia, the Old Anthonians won the championship beating the Old Bens. Old Anthonians 179 for 4 in 25 overs and Old Bens 146 for 8 in 25 overs.
In the basketball final played at the Peterites’ basketball court, the Old Bens upset the Old Peterites to win 54 – 52 and annex the Very Rev. Fr. Joe E. Wickremasinghe trophy.
The biggest upset perhaps was in rugby when the much fancied Old Peterites were beaten by the Old Joes 19 – 14 at the Peterite grounds on 23rd August, to win the Ranjith Samarasekera Challenge trophy.
Overall, the hosts, Old Peterites must be the happier lot having won the main cricket tournament and becoming runners up in basketball and rugby.
The Chief Guest was Mr. Russel Arnold, a proud product of St. Peter’s who represented Sri Lanka in Test Cricket and ODIs and is arguably the best international cricket commentator in Sri Lanka.
After the award ceremony the Quadrangular flag and a replica of the trophy on offer for the main cricket match were handed over to Mr. Malsiri Perera, President of the Old Bens’ Sports Club, the hosts for the next year’s tournament. This was followed by the full throated singing of the anthems of the respective Colleges and the National Anthem which brought the proceedings of this unique event to a close.
Algi Wijewickrema
Hony. General Secretary
St. Peter’s College Old Boys’ Union (hosts for the 2014 event)
