St. Peter's College was established in 1922 and launched its first cricket team in 1927, captained by Norman Paternott when the team played friendly unofficial games. The Paternott family played a major role in cricket and rugby in later years when Norman Paternott's three sons – Aubrey, Rodney and Hemish went on to captain their alma mater in cricket and rugby in the sixties and seventies. A proud record for the remarkable Paternott family.
The inaugural Josephian-Peterite 'big-match' was played in 1933 and George Jayaweera had the distinction of leading the Peterites in this game. Later, Jayaweera's sons Tissa and Shanthi represented St. Peter's College in cricket while a third son Asitha Jayaweera captained Royal College. This once again is a proud record for the talented Jayaweera family.
Given this background, on Saturday, January 5th (2019) young Santhush Gunathilaka, last year Peterite skipper, covered himself with glory when he clobbered the Anandians in their Inter-School U-19 Cricket Match by scoring an unbeaten 252 runs. With this monstrous feat, Gunathilaka became the highest individual scorer for the Peterites in their 92-year history – a gigantic achievement in today's day and age. Gunathilaka's awesome score of 252 runs surpassed the previous record held by Angelo Perera – 239-runs in 2009 against Nalanda College. The other double-century scores on record for the Peterites are that of 1963 skipper Tyrone Le Mercier's unbeaten 235 against St. Anthony's College Kandy and 1954 skipper Clive Inman's unbeaten 204 against St. Joseph's College in the 'Big Match'. Inman, Le Mercier, Perera and Gunathilaka have etched their names in history at St. Peter's College, established in 1922. The accomplishments of these legendary players are indelibly etched into Peterite cricket history for all time, to be sure, but their names grace sportsdom’s most cherished chalice forever.
Photo credits of above image: Sujith Silva – Quadrangle.
By: Upali Obeyesekere – Old Peterite living in Toronto, Canada
SPC V. Ananda College U-19 Inter-Schools Cricket – Saturday, January 5, 2019 at Ananda College Grounds:
Records tumbled at Ananda Mawatha as Peterite batsman Santhush Gunathilaka scored an unbeaten 252 against Ananda College which is the highest individual score for St.Peter's College Colombo 04 since 1927 erasing the previous record held by Angelo Perera (239 in 2009). On his way, he also surpassed a 67-year-old record held by Dr. H.I.K Fernando (1951/52 skipper) – 165-runs in 1952, that was the prevailing highest score by a Peterite against Ananda College. Gunathilaka's 252 not out is also the highest by a visiting 1st XI Cricketer at Ananda College grounds and also the highest individual score (1st XI) against Ananda College by any player from any school. A rare achievement that deserves merit.
St. Peter’s College took honours in the drawn encounter against Ananda College which concluded today at Ananda College Grounds in Colombo. The highlight of the match was the magnificent double-century scored by right-handed batsman Santhush Gunathilaka for St. Peter’s College. Thanks to his record-breaking unbeaten 252 runs, the visitors put up a massive score of 423 runs on the board before declaring their innings. Gunathilaka’s knock of 252 runs came off 243 balls including 29 fours and 8 massive sixes. Ranmith Jayasena (80) and Bhanuka de Silva (63) gave good support to Gunathilaka at the other end with useful contributions with the bat. The Ananda College batsmen began their second innings 210 runs behind and were struggling at 166 runs for 7 wickets when umpires called stumps.
Brief scores
Ananda College – 213 (63.3) Kavindu Gimhana 53, Janindu Jayawardane 48, Kalana Wijesiri 33, Daminda Reshan 27, Ruvin Senevirathne 4/48, Santhush Gunathilaka 3/46 & 166/7 (52) Kanishka Ranthilakage 90, Kavindu Gimhana 31, Kanishka Maduwantha 2/49, Ranmith Jayasena 3/13, Ruvin Senevirathne 2/55
St. Peter’s College – 423/3d (74) Santhush Gunathilaka 252*, Bhanuka de Silva 63, Ranmith Jayasena 80
Result – Match Drawn (St. Peter’s College won first innings points)