Battle of the Saints (cricket)

The Battle of the Saints is the annual cricket contest between St. Joseph's College and St Peter's College in Colombo, Sri Lanka, which typically takes place in March. Inaugurated in 1933 by the Rectors of both schools and has since become a highly anticipated event, attracting significant media coverage and enthusiastic supporters. Since 2016, which is the 82nd encounter, both teams compete for the Reverend Father Maurice Legoc Trophy, named after the tournament's founder.[1]
For the past 82 matches, St. Joseph's college have recorded 12 wins, while the Peterites have registered 10. The rest of the matches have ended up as a draw with no wins for either team. In 2008 St. Joseph's college won the match, which ended a 35-year drought, and in 2010 St. Peter's won the match after 32 years.[2]
In the series the highest score is recorded by St Joseph’s college, which is 382, made back in 1982, led by Ken Serpanchy, while St. Peter's college best being 345 for 9 in 1938 under Percy Perera.

Battle of the Saints
SportCricket
Teams
  • St. Joseph's College, Colombo
  • St. Peter's College, Colombo
First meeting1933
Latest meeting2024
Next meeting2025
StadiumsSinghalese Sports Club Cricket Ground
TrophyReverend Father Maurice Legoc Trophy
Statistics
Most winsSt. Joseph's College - 12

The lowest score was recorded by St. Peter's College in 1972 when they were bowled out for just 36. St Joseph's College recorded their lowest score of 56 in 1938.

In the limited overs encounter Joes have bowled the Peterites thrice for less than 100 and the Peterites are yet to bowl the Josephians out for less than 100.

In the 42nd Annual 50 overs encounter Peterite batsman Hashan Wanasekera played a match-winning knock of 118 runs that set a record stand of 152 runs for any wicket for the Bambalapitiya school erasing the previous best partnership of 143 runs between Angelo Perera and Chathura Peiris in 2009. His partner was Lakshina Rodrigo who made 61.
[3]

The lowest total in the shorter format is also recorded by St. Peter's when they were bowled out for 58 runs in 2003 in response to St. Joseph's College score of 217, which incidentally is the highest winning margin.

In the longer version, Clive Inman of St. Peter's College holds the highest individual score which is 204 in 1954. Shenal Warnakula of St. Joseph's College holds the record as the most successful bowler in terms of wickets -taking 9 wickets for 41 in 1997.[4]

Notable persons who have played

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Denotes player represented the National Team at Test Level
Denotes player captained the national team (Test, ODI and/or T20I) and represented the National Team at Test Level
^ Denotes notable player that hasn't played international matches

Match history

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Year Encounter Venue Captains 1st INNINGS 2nd INNINGS Result
SJC SPC SJC SPC SJC SPC
1933 1st SPC Robert Fernando George Jayaweera 225 50 70 SJC
1934 2nd SJC Claude Wijesinghe Sherley de s Illesinghe 380 139 39 SJC
1935 3rd SPC Claude Wijesinghe Sherley de s Illesinghe 185 240 127/7 Draw
1936 4th SJC Malcolm Spittel Tybalt Herath 289 222 63/3 dec. 51/3 Draw
1937 5th SPC Fred Perera J Ray de Silva 253 183 236/8 Draw
1938 6th SJC Edward Markus Percy Perera 56 345/9 dec. 227/4 Draw
1939 7th SPC Hector Perera Snr. Joe Misso 129 312 159/5 Draw
1940 8th SPC Czerny Serpanchy Archibald Weerasinghe 167 83 184 160 SJC
1941 9th SPC Hugh Muller Archibald Weerasinghe 168 148 138 62/2 Draw
1942 Fairlie Dalpathado Eric Schokman Not Played Due to War
1943 Fairlie Dalpathado No Team Not Played Due to War
1944 10th Varsity Malcolm de Costa Anton Perera 288 115 118 SJC
1945 11th SSC Malcolm de Costa Anton Perera 240 165 176/6 dec. 102 SJC
1946 12th SSC Neil Weerasinghe Dion Walles 109 256 212 56/3 SPC
1947 13th SSC Neil Weerasinghe Dion Walles 141 317 157 SPC
1948 14th SSC Joe de Mel Michael Chanmugam 180 134 88 127 SJC
1949 15th SSC Tommy Rodrigo Darrel Weinman 112 91 161/6 179 SJC
1950 16th SSC Billy Balthazar M S M Ghouse 110 167 194/7 165 Draw
1951 17th SSC Joe Perera Herbert I K Fernando 359 170 174/5 Draw
1952 18th NCC Ken Surpanchy Herbert I K Fernando 382 96 70 SJC
1953 19th Oval Rienzy Perera Harold Wittachchy 180 158 2/0 172 Draw
1954 20th Oval Chrisantha Fernando Clive Inman 152 308 175/5 Draw
1955 21st Oval Mahinda de Silva Clive Inman 117 224 150 46/2 SPC
1956 22nd Oval Keerthi Caldera Ken Dackworth 123 163/5 dec. 91/5 47/8 dec. SJC
1957 23rd Oval Keerthi Caldera Jayantha Fernando 298 192 246 Draw
1958 24th Oval Carlyle Perera Russell Duckworth 246/9 dec. 314/5 dec. 40/1 90/5 Draw
1959 25th Oval Claude Perera Brian Seneviratne 157 161 111/7 dec. 41/4 Draw
1960 26th Oval Priya Perera Premesiri Athukorala 227/9 dec. 249/7 dec. 161/3 dec. 30/2 Draw
1961 27th SPC Raja de Silva Adiel Anghie 109 230/9 dec. 140/8 Draw
1962 28th NCC Hilary Mercilline Richard Heyn 82 55 139/9 168/9 dec. Draw
1963 29th SPC Brian Perumal Tyronne Le Mercier 106 161 118/7 152/4 dec. Draw
1964 30th Oval Berchman de Alwis David Heyn 108 83 90/6 146/9 dec. Draw
1965 31st SPC Christopher Moreira Travice Fernando 130 201 164 94/4 SPC
1966 32nd Oval Allan de Costa Darrel Wimalarathne 195/8 dec. 215 68/6 125/4 dec. Draw
1967*** 33rd Oval Anil Peiris Tony Opatha 142 81 102 163/8 SPC
1968 34th Oval Lalith de S Wijayarathne Rodney Patternott 100/4 119/9 dec. Draw
1969 35th Oval Brian Obeyesekere Denham Juriansz 201 187/7 dec. 146/5 dec. 104/5 Draw
1970 36th Oval Hector Perera Jnr. Rory Inman 252/7 dec. 105 18/0 164 SJC
1971 37th Oval Manik de s Wijeyaratne*
Wendell Kelaart**
Roy Dias 223 121 88/6 235/8 dec. Draw
1972 38th Oval Rohan Fernando Roy Dias 235/7 dec. 112 36 SJC
1973 39th Oval Gary Melder Gamini Goonasena 100 200/6 dec. 161 63/4 SPC
1974 40th Oval Gary Melder Ruwan Jayaweera 271/7 169 23/1 151 Draw
1975 41st Oval Dushan Soza Bernard Wijetunga Jnr. 228/8 dec. 128 205/7 Draw
1976 42nd Oval Dushan Soza Ranjan Perera 108 151 164/8 dec. 122/7 Draw
1977 43rd Oval Trevor Croner Charinde Perera 198/7 dec. 179/6 dec. 110/8 Draw
1978 44th Oval Shamilal de S Wijeyaratne Suraj Abeysekara 217/9 dec. 161 127/6 dec. 187/4 SPC
1979 45th Oval Lakshman Aloysius Kitto Fernandopulle 288/6 dec. 207/8 dec. 209/2 Draw
1980 46th Oval Rohan Wijesinghe Jnr. Rohan Buultjens 213/5 dec. 267/6 dec. 133/4 156/6 dec. Draw
1981 47th Oval Nirmala Perera Michael Elias 297/5 dec. 160 138/6 dec. Draw
1982 48th Oval Ashley de Silva Niranjan Rodrigo 181/6 dec. 153/9 dec. 53/2 180/7 dec. Draw
1983 49th Oval Hiran Cabraal Shane Brohier*
Rumesh Ratnayake**
113 203/6 dec. 185/5 112/6 dec. Draw
1984 50th Oval Jeevaka Chandappa Senerath Seneviratne 1063 dec. 185/8 dec. 13/0 67/7 dec. Draw
1985 51st Oval Jonathan Alles Heshan de Silva 179/6 dec. 199/7 dec. 129/6 dec. Draw
1986 52nd Oval Rohitha Tillakeratne Ranmore Martinesz 190/7 dec. 133/6 dec. 153/5 dec. 181/7 Draw
1987 53rd Khettarama Rohan Weerakkody Dilhan Perera 190/4 dec. 148/8 dec. 141 Draw
1988 54th Khettarama Asoka Jayamanne Dilhan Perera 261/6 dec. 179/7 dec. 107/8 dec. 44/5 Draw
1989 55th Khettarama Prasann Leanage Roshan Anthony 211/7 dec. 188/5 dec. 159/9 dec. 47/3 Draw
1990 56th Khettarama Oril de Mel Indunil Anthony 154 158/7 dec. 90 64/6 Draw
1991 57th Khettarama Viran Perera Hemal Wimalasekera 227/8 dec. 143/8 dec. 79/9 dec. 95/4 Draw
1992 58th Khettarama Sudantha Fernando Asanga Perera 136/7 dec. 159/6 dec. 98/4 137/7 dec. Draw
1993 59th Khettarama Praveen Fernando Russell Arnold 220/4 dec. 147/5 dec. 105/4 dec. 127/5 Draw
1994 60th Khettarama Peter Hamer Faizal Mohammed 157/6 dec. 181/6 dec. 92/4 159/4 dec. Draw
1995 61st Oval Asela Pathirana Damien Perera 172 104/9 dec. 139/4 dec. 87/2 Draw
1996 62nd Oval Shalinka de Silva Manura Neomal 168/9 dec. 182/7 dec. 78/5 131/9 dec. Draw
1997 63rd Oval Trevin Mathews Ramendra Nonis 198 199 106/8 122 Draw
1998 64th Oval Monto Perera Malinda Warnapura 303/8 dec. 273/6 dec. 151/6 dec. 62/4 Draw
1999 65th Oval Roshan de Silva Dilshan Rupasinghe*
Jerome Fernando**
252/5 dec. 130 25/1 228/9 dec. Draw
2000**** 66th Oval Ian Daniels Chrisantha Peiris 128/4 248 Draw
2001 67th Oval Anuk de S Wijeyaratne*
Danuk Pathirana**
Malin Silva*
Mahesh Perera
235/8 dec. 287/5 dec. 2038 dec. 80/1 Draw
2002 68th Oval Tivanka de S Wijeyaratne Jehan Jayasuriya 139 200 221/9 162 Draw
2003 69th Oval Deshan Bastianpillai Nadhula de S Wijeyaratne 178 255/7 dec. 162/4 176/4 dec. Draw
2004 70th Oval Ranesh Perera Dinesh Panditharantne*
Gihan de Silva**
224/8 199 158/7 200 Draw
2005 71st Oval Hashan Gunatilleke Prajeev Jansz 126 220 303/7 dec. 129/1 Draw
2006 72nd Oval Angelo Mathews Hans Fernando 218 201/6 dec. 147 86/6 Draw
2007 73rd Oval Rajeewa Weerasinghe Lahiru Peiris 335/5 dec. 193 279/3 Draw
2008 74th Oval Ruwantha Fernandopulle Anuk Silva 255 137 76 SJC
2009 75th Oval S.M Weerasinghe Angelo Perera 188/5 (49 overs) 235 (55.5 overs) 113/5 (32.4 overs) 215/9 (55.4 overs) Draw
2010 76th Oval Dinal Dhambarage Chathura Peiris 158 (50.1 overs) 293 (56.3 overs) 164 (48.5 overs) 33/0 (8.5 overs) SPC
2011 77th Oval Rosco Thatil Denham Perera 293 (56.3 overs) 189 (45 overs) 260/1 (54.1 overs) Draw
2012 78th Oval Vidusha Jayasinghe Shehan Fernando 141 (42.2 overs) 192 (52.4 overs) 165 (62.4 overs) 117/4 (24.2 overs) SPC
2013 79th Oval Sachien Hewawasam Dushan Hemantha 281/8 dec. (60 overs) 238/9 dec. (60 overs) 140/5 (24 overs) 253/7 dec. Draw
2014 80th Oval Dylan Fernandopulle Kavinda De Tissera 251/8 dec. (53 overs) 282 (59.5 overs) 181/9 dec. (68.2 overs) Draw
2015 81st Oval Pathum Madusanka Chandula Jayamanna 167 (59.5 overs) 268 (56.4 overs) 293/8 dec. (81.2 overs) 110/7 (26 overs) Draw
2016 82nd Oval Sandaruwan Rodrigo Vinu Mohotty 106 (32.3 overs) 304/9 dec. (60 overs) 263 (107.5 overs) 59/4 (9.2 overs/ Target 66 in 12 overs) SPC[5]
2017 83rd Oval Harin Cooray Lakshina Rodrigo 205 (57.2 overs) 188/8 dec.(60 overs) 163/8 dec.(77 overs) 99/0 (15 overs) Draw
2018 84th Oval Jehan Daniel Santhush Gunathilake 195 (53.2 overs) 244 (60 overs) 237/8 dec.(83 overs) 57/1 (9.2 overs) Draw[6]
2019 85th Oval Ashen Daniel Ranmith Jayasena 286/8 dec. (60 overs) 219 (60 overs) 317/6 dec. (79 overs) Draw[7]
2020 86th Oval Johanne De Zilva Shannon Fernando 259 (51.3 overs) 224 (60 overs) 288/8 dec. (87.4 overs) Draw[8]
2021 87th SSC Sheran Fonseka Nipunaka Fonseka 261/7 dec. (60 overs) 138 (56.3 overs) 82/2 (22 overs) Draw[9]
2022 88th Oval Shevon Daniel Wanuja Sahan 163 (45.1 overs) 251/8 dec. (60 overs) 163/5 (58 overs) 232/7 dec. (59.5 overs) Draw[10]
2023 89th SSC Sadeesh Jayawardana Nimuthu Gunawardana 240/2 (54.5 overs) 214/10 (57.3 overs) Draw[11]
2024 90th SSC Lahiru Amarasekara Vishen Halambage 228/5 dec. (49 overs) 270/9 dec. (60 overs) 75/1 (13 overs) 204/9 dec. (63 overs) Draw[12]
1933–2024 SJC 12 - SPC 10 (68 Draws)[13]

Limited Over history

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Year Encounter Venue Captains Scores Result
SJC SPC SJC SPC
1975 1st SJC Dushan Soza Bernard Wijetunga 118 (40.3 overs) 120/5 (42.5 overs) SPC
1976 2nd SPC Dushan Soza Ranjan Perera 151 (47.2 overs) 126 (50 overs) SJC
1977 3rd SJC Trevor Croner Charinda Perera 193/8 (50 overs) 120 (41.3 overs) SJC
1978 4th Oval Shamilal de S Wijeyaratne Suraj Abeysekara 149 (43.2 overs) 150/8 (45.5 overs) SPC
1979 5th Oval Lakshman Aloysius Kitto Fernandopulle 192/9 (50 overs) 158 (44 overs) SJC
1980 6th Oval Rohan Wijesinghe Rohan Buultjens 198 (48.3 overs) 71/6 (21 overs) SJC
1981 7th Oval Nirmalal Perera Michael Elias 125 (39.5 overs) 158 (48.2 overs) SPC
1982 8th Oval Ashley de Silva Niranjan Rodrigo 216/8 (50 overs) 130 (36.5 overs) SJC
1983 9th Oval Hiran Cabraal Shane Brohier 203/8 (50 overs) 125 (35.3 overs) SJC
1984 10th Oval Jeevaka Chandappa Senerath Seneviratne 147/6 (41.5 overs) 146 (41.4 overs) SJC
1985 11th Oval Johathan Alles Heshan de Silva 84/8 (41 overs) 83 (32 overs) SJC
1986 12th CCC Rohitha Thilakaratne Ranmore Martinesz 161 (47.5 overs) 163/5 (43.3 overs) SPC
1987 13th Khettarama Rohan Weerakkody Dilhan Perera 177/6 (45 overs) 103 (38 overs) SJC
1988 14th Oval Asoka Jayamanne Dilhan Perera 181 (47.4 overs) 127 (47.4 overs) SJC
1989 15th Oval Prasann Leanage Roshan Anthony 138/8 (47 overs) 135 (48.3 overs) SJC
1990 16th Oval Orille de Mel Indunil Anthony 155 (48 overs) 122 (41.2 overs) SJC
1991 17th SSC Viran Perera Hemal Wimalasekera 101 (39 overs) 157/9 (45 overs) SPC
1992 18th SSC Sudantha Fernando Asanaga Perera 175 (48 overs) 176/5 (45.2 overs) SPC
1993 19th SSC Praveen Fernando Russel Arnold 108 (40 overs) 111/5 (35.5 overs) SPC
1994 20th Oval Peter Harmer Fazal Mohammed 181 (49.4 overs) 214/8 (50 overs) SPC
1995 21st SSC Asela Pathirana Damian Perera 157 (48.4 overs) 158/2 (39.2 overs) SPC
1996 22nd Oval Shalika de Mel Manura Neomal 91/3 (18.3 overs) 90 (29.2 overs) SJC
1997 23rd Oval Trevine Mathews Ramendra Nonis 193/3 (39.4 overs) 191/9 (50 overs) SJC
1998 24th Oval Monto Perera Malinda Warnapura 249/9 (50 overs) 250/3 (44.1 overs) SPC
1999 25th Oval Roshan de Silva Jerome Fernando 271/6 (50 overs) 232 (47.3 overs) SJC
2000 26th Oval Ian Daniel Chrisantha Peiris 143 (47.3 overs) 208/9 (50 overs) SPC
2001 27th Oval Anuk de S Wijeyaratne Malin Silva 205/8 (50 overs) 205 (49.4 overs) Tied
2002 28th Oval Joel Sabreen Jehan Jayasuriya 122 (38.1 overs) 123/4 (28.5 overs) SPC
2003 29th Oval Deshan Bastianpillai Nadhula de S Wijeyarathne 217/7 (50 overs) 58 (23.2 overs) SJC
2004 30th R Premadasa Stadium Ranesh Perera Gihan de Silva 258/6 (50 overs) 233 (49.3 overs) SJC
2005 31st R Premadasa Stadium Hashan Goonatilleke Prajeev Jansz 185 (41 overs) 257 (48.1 overs) SPC
2006 32nd R Premadasa Stadium Angelo Mathews Hans Fernando 113 (33.4 overs) 153 (43.3 overs) SPC
2007 33rd R Premadasa Stadium Rajeewa Weerasinghe Lahiru Peiris 203/7 (45 overs) 201 (47.4 overs) SJC
2008 34th R Premadasa Stadium Ruwantha Fernandopulle Anuk Silva 24/1 (6 overs) 218/7 (50 overs) No Decision
2009 35th R Premadasa Stadium Sameera Weerasinghe Angelo Perera 215/9 (50 overs) 333/7 (50 overs) SPC
2010 36th Oval Dinal Dambarage Chathura Peiris 202 (46.4 overs) 203/5 (44.1 overs) SPC
2011 37th Oval Rosco Thatil Denham Perera 230/9 (50 overs) 157 (40 overs) SJC
2012 38th R Premadasa Stadium Vidusha Jayasinghe Shehan Fernando 142 (42 overs) 143/4 SPC
2013 39th R Premadasa Stadium Sachin Hewawasam Dushan Hemantha 194 (50 overs) 163 (45.2 overs) SJC
2014 40th R Premadasa Stadium Dylan Fernandopulle Kavinda De Tissera 224/8 (50 overs) 133 (41.4 overs) SJC
2015 41st R Premadasa Stadium Pathum Madusanka Chandula Jayamanna 99 (23 overs/ Target 159 in 29 overs) 166/7 (38.4 overs) SPC
2016 42nd R Premadasa Stadium Kevin Corteling Vinu Mohotty 258/6 (50 overs) 259/2 (39.1 overs) SPC
2017 43rd SSC Harin Cooray Lakshina Rodrigo 258 (49.4 overs) 311/8 (50 overs) SPC
2018 44th SSC Jehan Daniel Santhush Gunathilake 259 (49.2 overs) 172 (38.4 overs) SJC
2019 45th SSC Ashen Daniel Ranmith Jayasena 250 (49.3 overs) 175/5 (41 overs /Target 185(D/L)) SJC
2020 46th Johanne De Zilva Shannon Fernando Not Played due to Covid-19 Pandemic.
2021 47th SSC Sheran Fonseka Nipunaka Fonseka 200 (49.1 overs) 115 (35.2 overs) SJC[14]
2022 48th SSC Shevon Daniel Wanuja Sahan 219/9(50 overs) 245/8 (50 overs) SPC[15]
2023 49th SSC Sadeesh Jayawardana Nimuthu Gunawardana 156/10 (41.5 overs) 158/5 (40.2 overs) SJC[16]
2024 50th SSC Lahiru Amarasekara Vishen Helambage 229/10 (48.5 overs) 230/7 (45.4 overs) SPC[17]
1975–2024 SJC 25 - SPC 22[18]

Notes

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  1. ^ Shamil Amit, M. (6 March 2009). "Saints battle for the 75th time at the Oval". Sri Lankan Daily Mirror. Archived from the original on 7 March 2009. Retrieved 12 June 2009.
  2. ^ "Battle of the Saints Cricket Carnival – 2008". Sri Lankan Sunday Times. 10 August 2008. Retrieved 12 June 2009.
  3. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 13 March 2016. Retrieved 13 March 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. ^ "Petes look for repeat while Joes are out for revenge". St. Peter's College Old Boys Union.
  5. ^ Win was awarded to St. Peter's by Rev.fr.Travis Gabriel(Rector of SJC) due to unruly behavior of spectators.
  6. ^ "Jayakody, Wellalage rescue Joes; Petes takes major honours". 3 March 2018. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  7. ^ "85th Battle of the Saints". Retrieved 2 March 2019.
  8. ^ "86th Battle of the Saints". Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  9. ^ "87th Battle of the Saints". Retrieved 14 December 2021.
  10. ^ "REPLAY – St. Joseph's College vs St. Peter's College – 88th Battle of the Saints". Retrieved 19 July 2022.
  11. ^ "Gagan Chamod 5-fer puts St. Joseph's on driving seat". Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  12. ^ "Dilana Damsara's Century carried the Peterites innings on Day 01". Retrieved 23 March 2024.
  13. ^ "joe-pete stats" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 November 2013. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
  14. ^ "Victorious St. Joseph's retain Joe-Pete limited-overs shield". Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  15. ^ "ST. PETER'S COLLEGE WON BY 26 RUNS". Retrieved 16 January 2023.
  16. ^ "ST. JOSEPH'S COLLEGE WON BY 5 WICKETS". Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  17. ^ SurfEdge. "St. Joseph's College vs St. Peter's College – 50th One Day Encounter - ThePapare Stats". stats.thepapare.com. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
  18. ^ "joe-pete 50 over stats" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 March 2014. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
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