Dialog Axiata powers 86th ‘Battle of the Saints’, 5th consecutive year

From left: St. Peters College Joint Organising Committee Member Michael Elias, St. Peters College Sports Coordinator Rev. Fr. Milan Bernard, St. Joseph’s College Rector Rev. Fr. Ranjith Andradi, Dialog Axiata Group Legal and Regulatory General Counsel/Vice President Trinesh Fernando, St. Peter’s College Rector Rev. Fr. Rohitha Rodrigo, St. Joseph’s College Prefect of Games Rev. Fr. Priyan Tissera, St. Josephs College Captain Johanne De Zilwa, and Joint Organising Committee Member Terrance Fernando 

The Saints go marching in for another year of excitement, comradery and outstanding sportsmanship, as the 86th annual cricketer encounter between Sri Lanka’s premier catholic boys’ schools, St. Joseph’s College, Colombo and St. Peter’s College, Colombo, battle it out for the Rev. Father Maurice J. Le Goc Trophy, on 6 and 7 March, at the P. Sara (Oval) Stadium, Colombo. 

The ‘Battle of Saints’, which is renowned for its exciting and competitive brand of cricket is the only annual two-day cricket encounter that limits the first innings to 60 overs each. In the 2020 encounter the lads from Darley Road will be led by all-rounder Johanne De Zilwa, while the boys from Bambalapitiya will be under the captaincy of wicket keeper/batsman Shannon Fernando. 

Speaking at a media conference, Rev. Fr. Ranjith Andradi, the Rector of the hosting school of the 86th ‘Battle of the Saints’, St. Joseph’s College, Colombo, said, “The fierce but friendly rivalry between Sri Lanka’s two leading catholic schools for the Rev. Fr. Maurice J. Le Goc Trophy is one of the most looked forward to events in Sri Lanka’s sporting calendar that draws both the young and old. I give my blessings to both schools.”  

Rev. Fr. Rohitha Rodrigo, Rector of St. Peter’s College, Colombo, said, “The ‘Battle of the Saints’ annual cricket encounter between St. Joseph’s College, Colombo and St. Peter’s College, Colombo, has a rich history of tradition and comradery for over eight decades. The playing fields of the ‘Battle of the Saints’ have forged many players who have represented the game at the highest level and brought much honour to Mother Lanka. The ‘Big Match’ between our two institutions is one of the most looked forward to events in the Sri Lanka schools cricket calendar and this year will be no exception. I wish both schools the very best to deliver two days of exhilarating cricket!”

“We would like to thank the management of Dialog Axiata for the generous gesture to sponsor the 86th encounter of the Annual Battle of the Saints were the words echoed by both Rectors.

St. Joseph’s College leads the series tally with 12 wins, their last win coming under the captaincy of Ruwantha Fernandopulle in 2008, while St. Peter’s College were the worthy winners of the 2016 encounter under Vinu Mohotty, bringing their tally to 10 wins, which ensured the Rev. Father Maurice J. Legoc Trophy was kept securely in the trophy cabinet in Bambalapitiya. 

The highly anticipated Josephian-Peterite limited overs match, which was the first encounter among schools commencing in 1975, has always attracted the highest number of spectators for a school’s 50 over cricket match. This year will likely be no exception, and the organisers are making every effort to ensure the large crowd has an unforgettable day of entertainment. A unique feature in this year’s Battle of the Saints is a special enclosure that will accommodate old boys from both schools that have left their respective Alma Maters before 1990. 

Hatton National Bank (HNB), American National College (ANC), Ceylinco Life, Elephant House, Keells Krest, Maggi, Ceylon Biscuits Ltd., Jetwing Hotels, Daraz, Privilege Fashions and Sun FM have already come forward to support the event as sponsors.

Nirmalal Perera, Captain of the Josephian XI in 1981, will grace the Big match as the Chief Guest, while Damian Perera who skippered the Peterite XI in 1994, will be the Chief Guest at the limited over game. Further, the members of the 1970 team, led by Hector Perera of St. Joseph’s and Rory Inman of St. Peter’s will grace the 86th edition of the Battle of the Saints as the Guests of Honour. 

The two schools have the distinction of having produced several players to the National Team, with current Sri Lanka test skipper Dimuth Karunaratne, Angelo Mathews, Chaminda Vaas, Thisara Perera, Ashley De Silva, Michael Van Dort, Roshen Silva, Priyamal Perera and Sadeera Samarawickrama having represented St. Joseph’s College, while Roy Dias, Rumesh Ratnayake, Russell Arnold, Vinodhan John, Amal Silva, Kaushal Lokuarachchi, Malinda Warnapura and Angelo Perera have represented St. Peter’s College.