St. Peter’s edge past arch-rivals St. Joseph’s in annual limited overs fixture

Tuesday, 6 May 2025 00:36 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Dialog Axiata Group Chief Marketing Officer Lasantha Theverapperuma (right), along with Chief Guest Rohan Weerakkody (centre), presents the Fr. Peter A. Pillai Memorial Shield, along with the two heads of the schools, SJC Rector Rev. Fr. Ranjith Andradi, and SPC Rector Rev. Fr. Rohitha Rodrigo, to the winning captain of the 51st Battle of the Saints Oween Salgado

St. Peter’s College edged past their arch-rivals St. Joseph’s College by four wickets to clinch their 51st annual limited overs cricket fixture played at the SSC Grounds yesterday. Chasing a modest 178 to win, St. Peter’s reached the target in the 46th over after Dilan Damsara set the tone with a punishing 60.

The win saw St. Peter’s retaining the Rev. Fr. Peter A. Pillai Memorial Shield. This was their 23rd win of the series compared to St. Joseph’s 25. The annual fixture was sponsored by Dialog Axiata PLC, Sri Lanka’s no. 1 connectivity provider.

St. Joseph’s, batting first, posted a competitive 177 runs under tough batting conditions before being bowled out in the 49th over as the Peterite bowling attack maintained consistent pressure throughout the innings. The Josephian innings was anchored by a magnificent knock from Aveesha Samash, who crafted a resilient 75 runs, demonstrating both technical proficiency and mental fortitude against a disciplined bowling unit. Support came from Nushan Perera (34) and Abishek Jayaweera (30), but the remainder of the batting order failed to make significant contributions as St. Peter’s bowlers Lashmika Perera, Enosh Peterson and Joshua Sebastian picked up wickets to restrict the total.

In reply, St. Peter’s College reached their target with just 4.1 overs to spare, finishing at 180 for 6 in 45.5 overs. The chase was spearheaded by a composed innings from Dilana Damsara, who scored a match-defining 60 runs. His innings, characterised by calculated aggression and smart shot selection, provided the foundation for the successful run chase. Following Damsara’s dismissal, Enosh Peterson, who had earlier claimed 2 wickets for 43 runs, contributed a valuable unbeaten 37 runs to lead St. Peter’s successful run chase. Oween Salgado added crucial runs in the middle order with a quick-fire 24, helping to maintain the required run rate during a tense phase of the match.

The Josephian bowlers fought valiantly to defend their total, with Yenula Dewthusa claiming 4 for 33, while Maanasa Madubashana (1/35) and Demion Silva (1/41) made significant inroads into the Peterite batting lineup.

Scores

St. Joseph’s College: 177/10 (49) (Aveesha Samash 75, Nushan Perera 34, Abishek Jayaweera 30; Lashmika Perera 2/31, Enosh Peterson 2/43, Joshua Sebastian 1/27)

St. Peter’s College: 180/6 (45.5) (Dilana Damsara 60, Enosh Peterson 37 n.o., Oween Salgado 24, Jason Fernando 8 n.o.; Yenula Dewthusa 4/33, Maanasa Madubashana 1/35, Demion Silva 1/41)

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