ST ANTHONY’S VS ST BENEDICT’S – A proud SAINTS partnership

In the 2024 encounter, the Antonians defeated St Benedict’s College by a margin of an innings and 5 runs at Kotahena (SBC 75 & 76, SACK 156), which was incidentally their first win against the Bens since 2007. Left-arm paceman Tharusha Dasun Welianga (6/17) in the first innings and left-arm spinner Kaveesha Piyumal (5/33) in the second, were the main architects of this win. Janith Rathnasiri (50) scored the only half-century in the game. For the home side, Mevan Dissanayake (6/60) was the best performer.

The Bens last won at Kotahena in 1978 and their last win on any venue was in 2017 at Pallekelle.

THE BEGINNINGS

The first encounter on record between the two Saints schools took place on 16th October 1909 in Colombo as a “day game”, which resulted in a 35-run win to the Bens. On a rain-affected day, the home side’s innings was destroyed by Wijegoonewardena (6/25) but the Antonians found the Pinto-Theodore bowling combination too hot to handle, falling for a paltry 48, with only Dias (18) entering double figures. (SBC 83, SACK 48).

The regular 2-day fixtures between the two sides commenced on 30th and 31st March 1917 at Bogambara and have continued to this day, with a record of 23 wins for SACK (1919, 1921, 1923, 1924, 1927-1929, 1932-1934, 1938, 1944, 1952-1954, 1959, 1973, 1988, 1990-1992, 2007 & 2024) and 15 wins for SBC (1917, 1920, 1925, 1926, 1935, 1941, 1950, 1958, 1962-1964, 1966, 1978, 1979 & 2017)

Despite a fine century by Jack Anderson (102) in the first innings, the Bens overcame the Antonians by 5 wickets. The home side crumbled to 30 all out with W Perera (4/68 & 4/15) and N. Koelmeyer (5/81 & 5/13) doing the damage. (SACK 197 & 30; SBC 152 & 80/5). The second game of the series in 1918, played at Havelock Park in Colombo, ended in a thrilling draw, but not before Jack Anderson (109) scored his second century against the Bens and Robert Wright (5/41) and J Carter (5/53) bowling best in each innings. (SBC 167 & 96: SACK 166 & 39/1)

The Antonians tasted their first victory against the Bens in 1919 at Bogambara, in convincing fashion by an innings and 69 runs. Lionel (LV) Jayaweera (7/56 & 5/11) and Robert Wright (3/25 & 5/18) ran through the Bens in both innings to dismiss them for 81 and 31. The visitor’s second innings total was one better than what the Antonians achieved two years earlier. RA de Silva (35) and Wright (39) held the Antonian innings together. (SBC 81 & 31; SACK 181).

EARLY 1920s

The Bens came from behind to record an incredible win by 97 runs in the 1920 encounter at Campbell Park, despite being asked to follow on. Benedictine skipper P Pulle scored a splendid 172 in the second innings to set up this win. The Antonians folded for only 61 in their second innings to suffer an unexpected defeat after earning a 144-run first-innings lead. LV Jayaweera’s match bag of 8 wickets (5/35 and 3/80) went in vain. (SACK 236 & 61, SBC 92 & 302/9d)

In the early 1920s, the games between the two sides were competitive with neither team willing to compromise. Antonian skipper George Macky’s 93 in the first innings was the main highlight of the drawn game in 1922 at Campbell Park in Borella. P Amerasinghe (52) and Cecil Bolling (52) scored half-centuries for the visitors in the second innings. (SACK 183 & 197/6d, SBC 181 & 136/6). The Antonians overcame the Bens by 23 runs in 1924, mainly through a fine all-round performance from Richard Tennant (62 & 5/46). Croos batted well for the hosts with 68. (SACK 171 & 141, SBC 170 & 119). Bens won more comfortably by 5 wickets in 1925 at Bogambara. (SACK 70 & 90, SBC 95 & 66/5).

The closest of them all was the 1926 encounter when the Bens won by 8 runs at Campbell Park, despite a fine bowling performance in the second innings by Antonian skipper G.R.S Baie (7/25) and a defiant last-wicket stand of 68 runs between Ratnapala and S.Pillai. In pursuit of 156 runs for victory, the Antonian pair came together at 80/9 and took the score to 148, falling short by 8 runs. (SBC 153 & 102; SACK 99 & 148).

MOST SUCCESSSFUL PERIOD FOR THE ANTONIANS

Antonians have had a hat-trick of wins (3 in a row) against the Bens on four separate occasions, 1927-1929, 1932-1934, 1952-1954 and 1990-1992.

1927-1929

•                 1927 at Bogambara – SACK won by an innings and 6 runs – SBC 116 & 101; SACK 223. All-rounder V. Henley (87) rescued the home side’s batting, helping to recover from 101/6 to a total of 223.

•                 1928 in Colombo – SACK won by 9 wickets - SBC 50 & 82; SACK 132 & 4/1. W Perera (4/25) and V.Henley (4/17)

•                 1929 at Bogambara – SACK won by 5 wickets – SBC 124 & 109, SACK 98 & 136/5. Wanigasekera and fresher Harry Jayasundera scored excellent half-centuries to take the Antonians home.

1932-1934:

•                 1932 at Campbell Park – SACK won by an innings and 78 runs – SACK 218, SBC 114 & 26. Izadeen Baie (5/02) and PH Theodore de Silva (3/13) skittled the home team for 26 in the second innings which remains their lowest total in history. Harry Jayasundera (53) scored the only half-century of the game.

•                 1933 at Bogambara – SACK won by an ininngs and 33 runs – SBC 78 & 78, SACK 189. Harry Jayasundera (5/16) was the destroyer in the first innings and half-centuries from Berenger (53) and Baie (54) helped the Antonians reach a respectable total.

•                 1934 at Railway Grounds – SACK won by 10 wickets – SBC 71 & ??, SACK 95 & ??/0. Outstanding fast bowling from Antonian J.J Peries (6/19) in the second ininngs was the highlight of the game

The Antonian dominance of 6 wins in 8 years (1927 to 1934) was brought to a halt in 1935 in a low-scoring affair when the Bens earned a 6-wicket win at the Municipality Grounds (Colombo) in 1935. (SACK 91 & 73, SBC 100 & 65/6). Despite a heroic 54-run last-wicket partnership by the visitors, the Antonians emerged victorious in 1938 at home. W. Marr (67), F.P. Rode (56 and 4/14), and P. Samarasinghe (5/26) excelled for the hosts. It wasn't until 1952, a further 14 years later, that the Kandy boys experienced success in the series.

1940s

In 1941, the Bens registered a more comfortable win by 10 wickets at Kotahena. A match bag of 7 wickets by V Perera (2/04 & 5/30) and a solid 59 by R Fernandopulle were instrumental in Ben’s win. (SACK 81 & 122; SBC 183 & 26/0). The Antonians won comfortably by seven wickets in 1944 at Mount Mary spearheaded by S.M Mawjood’s match bag of 9/46 (6/19 & 3/27). (SBC 69 & 142; SACK 98 & 114/3). In 1945 at Gampola, the Kandy boys had to rest content with a draw as the Bens fought back gamely in the second innings after being shot out for 78 in their first. Hugh Fernando scored a quick 50 in 20 minutes for the locals, supported by a fine all-round performance from S.M Mawjood (4/39 & 41). For the visitors, Austin Fernando (65) batted soundly to save the game. (SBC 78 & 188/7; SACK 233/8d).

The Antonians nearly clinched victory on home soil in 1947, having bowled out the visiting team for a mere 84 runs in their second innings. However, with a target of 28 runs needed for a win, the home team was thwarted by the clock and couldn't even commence their second innings pursuit. Palitha Abeysinghe (6/47) and Dickie Dunuwille (6/23) were outstanding in each of the innings for the Antonians, along with fifties from T.M.A Cooray (55) and Lionel Pamunuwa (55). (SBC 169 & 84; SACK 226)

The 1948 encounter ended in a thrilling draw at Mount Mary. Maurice Barsenbach (65) top scored for the Antonians in their first innings total of 256 and forced the Bens to follow on after earning a 131-run lead. Requiring 89 to win, the Kandy boys were 63/1, just 26 runs short of the target, when time was called. (SACK 256 & 63/1; SBC 125 & 210).

Barsenbach (94) was amongst the runs again in 1949 at Katugastota to put the home side in a strong position. However, a solid batting performance in their second innings by the visitors ensured a draw, finishing 36 runs short of the victory target of 256 with 4 wickets in hand. (SACK 110 & 233; SBC 88 & 220/6)

1950s

Bens enjoyed success after 9 years, winning in 1950 by an innings and 21 runs at Kotahena thanks to a trio of half-centuries by Eric Perera (76), Symons (58) and Shanmuganathan (51). (SBC 276; SACK 134 & 121). But the Antonians went on another winning streak between 1952 and 1954 to reclaim their dominance.

1952-1954:

•                 1952 at Kotahena – SACK won by an innings and 26 runs– SBC 222 & 72, SACK 320, spearheaded by an outstanding all-round performance by Tom Deen (78 with the bat and 3/21 & 3/14). ACM Lafir (59) and skipper Bernard Weerakoon (89) also chipped in with half-centuries.

•                 1953 at Katugastota – SACK won by 7 wickets, after conceding a first innings lead of 36 runs. Ronnie Stephen (69 n.o) and Tom Deen (45 n.o) taking the Antonians home.

•                 1954 at Kotahena – SACK won by an innings and 31 runs – SACK 383/8d, SBC  248 & 104. Skipper ACM Lafir scored a majestic 184 and, in the process, broke the ground record at Kotahena which was previously held by Eric Perera from Bens. The lion-hearted Tom Deen continued to be a thorn in the Bens by claiming 5/31 in the second innings.

The main highlights of the drawn encounter at Kotahena in 1956 were the brilliant centuries scored by Anton Rambukpotha (122) for SACK and L.P Rayen (125) for SBC, and the 158-run opening stand between Rambukpotha and Ranjith Samarasekera (42). Adrian Berenger (5/81) bowled best for the visitors in addition to his innings of 65. (SBC 266 & 146/6, SACK 370/8d).

Lionel Fernando scored a majestic 185 in the 1958 encounter to help the Bens win by an innings and 62 runs at Kotahena. (SBC 384/7d, SACK 146 & 176). In the following year (1959), the Antonians returned the favour through Charlie Joseph’s unbeaten 123. The visitor’s skipper Lionel Fernando defied some hostile bowling to score 67, but couldn’t prevent the hosts from winning comfortably by 10 wickets. (SACK 293/6d & 10/0; SBC 159 & 143).

Charlie Joseph (115*) scored his second successive century in the series, to singlehandedly save the game for the visitors at Kotahena in 1960. After being asked to follow on, behind by 133 runs, Charlie’s innings carried the Antonians to safety at 212 for 5. Elmo Rodrigopulle writing in the Daily News many years ago recollected, “Charlie Joseph and the writer were opposing captains in 1960. In the game played at Kotahena, we were well poised to beat them with left arm paceman Nihal Soysa threatening to demolish the Antonians. With two wickets down for below 10 in the second innings, Joseph walked in and if my memory serves me right before opening his account he drove Soysa uppishly. The writer fielding at mid-off, believe it or not, dropped what was a sitter. Joseph profiting by that dropped catch slammed a brilliant century and took the game away from the Bens. That dropped catch still haunts me. I still try to fathom how I dropped that sitter. He too was a right hander, stylish and a powerful hitter of the ball.”

1960s - BENS’ DOMINANCE

Bens enjoyed a streak of four wins in five years from 1962-1966. Nihal Soysa (7/16 & 5/32) ran havoc among the Antonian batsmen to lead his side to an innings victory at Kotahena in 1962. In the second innings, five visiting batsmen recorded ducks. Bens batting was dominated by Quintus Perera (100 in 105 minutes) and Dissanayake, who associated themselves in an unbeaten stand of 145 for the 6th wicket. (SBC 195/5d, SACK 77 & 104).

In 1963, the Bens won comfortably by a mammoth 212 runs at Katugastota. (SBC 210/8d & 167/2d, SACK 111 & 102). In the following year, the Bens made it three in a row with an innings and 40-run win at Kotahena (SACK 92 & 88, SBC 281/5d) and in 1966, they repeated the dose by another innings victory at Kotahena and on this occasion condemning the Antonians to their lowest total ever of 23. Chris Sims (5/31) was the only highlight for the visitors. (SACK 23 & 98, SBC 172).

The game in 1965 at Katugastota, the only draw that avoided a “5W” streak, was also dominated by St Benedict’s. A brilliant century by Sunil Fernando (139) helped the Bens to declare at 229/7, giving them a formidable lead of 152 runs. A fighting unbeaten 65 from all-rounder Ralston Burke rescued the hosts from 47/4 to finish at 125/5 in the second innings when rain halted play. Burke (5/49) also contributed with the ball. (SACK 77 & 125/5; SBC 229/7d).

An innings of 95 by J Saverimuthupillai of Bens was the highlight of the drawn game in 1967 at Katugastota. (SACK 230/8d & 96/5d; SBC 184 & 56/0). In 1968, at Kotahena, the home side narrowly missed victory as a valiant 65-run partnership between A Ranasinghe (47) and skipper Randy Sims (34) saved the day for the Antonians. Chasing a target of 201, the visitors finished at 143/8. Opener T Appathurai (57 & 60) was the mainstay of the Bens’ batting in each innings. (SBC 149/9d & 113/3d; SACK 62 & 143/8).

In 1969, a fighting 157-run partnership for the fifth wicket between Lakshman Denepitiya (88) and skipper Randy Simms (63) rescued the Antonians from a certain defeat at Katugastota.  After being asked to follow on, 151 runs in arrears, Denepitiya and Simms came together at 29/4 and took their side to safety finishing at 259/7 at close. (SBC 272/7d, SACK 121 & 259/7)

1970s

A century by Merryl Dunuwille and a 5-wicket haul by Jayantha Monnekulame were the highlights for the hosts in the drawn game at Katugastota in 1971 and in the subsequent year, a stubborn unbeaten knock by G de Soyza (64*) took the Bens to safety at Kotahena after being bowled out for 91 in the first innings. Charlie Paul (4/31) and skipper Jayantha Monnekulame (4/30) were the main wreckers with the ball in the first innings.

During their dominance in the 1960s, the Bens remained unbeaten for 14 years until Premalal de Silva’s side defeated the visitors by 10 wickets at Katugastota in 1973, thanks to the outstanding fast-bowling of Mohamed Rizvie (4/23 & 6/19) and an unbeaten century by Merryl Dunuwille (104*), who scored his second century in the series. (SBC 138 & 90; SACK 214/5d & 11/0).

The 1975 encounter at Katugastota is still celebrated for the historic unbeaten 4th wicket partnership of 250 runs by the Perera brothers, Bede (106*) and Bernard (140*). They joined forces at a precarious 6/3 and steered the hosts to 256/3 when the innings was declared. The game ended in a tame draw. Bernard Perera (122*) scored his second century of the series in 1976 at Kotahena, which also ended in a draw.

The Bens came back strongly to defeat the Antonians in two consecutive years, in 1978 by an innings at Kotahena (SACK 71 & 136, SBC 214/9 Dec), thanks to a 9-wicket match bag from opening bowler Romesh Madawela (5/28 & 4/59), and in 1979 by 4 wickets at Katugastota (SACK 87 & 200, Bens 188 & 100/6).  Incidentally, the 1978 win was the Bens’ last victory in their backyard and the 1979 defeat was the Antonians’ last loss to the Bens at Katugastota.

1988 to1992 - 4 wins in 5 years for SACK

Between 1988 and 1992, the Antonians experienced a highly successful period, marked by the emergence of national stars such as Ruwan Kalpage, Muthiah Muralitharan, and Piyal Wijetunge, as well as Sajith Fernando and Nuwan Kalpage. Spin-twins, Ruwan Kalpage (7/34) in the second innings and Piyal Wijetunge (6/22) in the first were the architects of the 1988 win at Kotahena. (SBC 125 & 91, SACK 165/9d & 53/1). Piyal (6/19 & 4/44) was once again the tormentor when the Antonians returned to Kotahena in 1990, helping to inflict an innings defeat on the hosts. The last victory at Katugastota was in 1991 when Murali (8/44 and 7/61) played havoc with Ben’s batters to help thrash the visitors by an innings. Skipper Nuwan Kalpage made 103. (Bens 142 & 153, SACK 320/4 dec). The Kandy boys made in 4 wins in 5 years when they won in 1992 at Kotahena, which was their third successive win on Benedictine soil.

In 1995, Antonians were tantalizingly close to clinching victory at Katugastota. They fell short by just 8 runs, reaching 36/5 in their chase for 44 runs to win. Dilshan Witharana (93) and skipper Nilantha Sirisena (95) propped up the host’s innings, supported by outstanding bowling by Kosala Wijeratne (4/28) helping to dismiss the Bens for a paltry 72 in the second innings. Wijeratne took 4/69 in the first innings (match bag of 8/97) which included a rare hat-trick.

Prior to this year’s success, the Antonian’s last win against the Bens was registered in 2007 under Selwyn Jamion when the hosts were defeated by 7 wickets at Kotahena. Harshana Medagoda (67), Peter Samarakoon (5/33) and skipper Jamion (3/27 & 4/36) played crucial roles in the win. (SBC 113 & 144, SACK 200/7 dec & 57/3).

An unbeaten century by Antonian Hiran Wickremasekera (104*) and six wicket hauls by Ben’s left-arm spinner G Auwardt (6/25) and Kasun Ekanayake (6/52) for the home side were the highlights of the 2009 encounter that ended in a draw at Katugastota. (SACK 133 & 213/6; SBC 172)

In 2012, Bens were two wickets away from clinching a win at Kotahena thanks to a 10-wicket match bag from Yohan Soysa (7/15 & 3/46). Saranga Rajaguru (6/38) and Viraj Deepal (64) performed well for the visitors.

Since the 1979 defeat, the Antonians have lost only once, beaten by 5 wickets at Pallekelle in 2017 under Mohamed Alfar, a couple of weeks before the 100th Trinity-Antonian encounter at the same venue. A splendid all-round performance by the current Sri Lankan star, Mahesh Theekshana (72 and 5/23 & 3/29) was instrumental in the Bens win. (SACK 128 & 127, SBC 154 & 105/5).

In 2019, despite a 10-wicket haul from Nimnaka Jayathilake (5/51 & 5/75), the game ended in a draw at Katugastota. Maheesh Theekshana (6/63 and 22 & 27) once again delivered the goods for the visitors. (SBC 158 & 191; SACK 155 & 70/0). In the drawn game in 2020, a 168-run second wicket partnership between Sachin Prabath (107) and Lasitha Werallagama (81) shown like a beacon in the Antonian innings at Kotahena. For the hosts, Malinda Perera (5/82) and half-centuries from Pasan Suwahas (60) and Shehan Fernando (67) made their presence felt. (SACK 241 & 70/1, SBC 307/9)

Asitha Wanninayake's impressive innings of 80 was instrumental in the Antonians' commanding performance in 2022 at Katugastota. Despite conceding a 99-run lead in the first innings, the visitors managed to secure a draw, despite losing half their side before reaching parity. (SBC 102 & 137/8; SACK 201/7d). Twin half-centuries from skipper Lahiru Abeysinghe (73 in 67 balls and 62 in 55 balls) and a match bag of 7-wickets from Kaveesha Piyumal (5/65 & 2/54) were the main performers for the home side in their drawn encounter in 2023 at Katugastota. In the second innings, Bens’ fast bowler Dinath Senila reduced the Antonians to 4/5 before skipper Abeysinghe’s belligerent batting took his team to safety. (SACK 254 & 132/6d; SBC 188 & 126/4)

BATTING RECORDS

ST ANTHONY’S COLLEGE:

Prabath Sachin (107 at Kotahena in 2020) is the last centurion for SACK and Hiran Wickremasekera’s unbeaten 104 in 2009 remains the last century for SACK at Katugastota.

ACM Lafir’s 184 in 1954 at Kotahena is our highest score against the Bens and Ranjith Dorenagama (152* in 1957) holds the top score for an Antonian at Katugastota. Four Antonians have scored two hundreds against the Bens – Jack Anderson (1917 and 1918), Charlie Joseph (1959 and 1960), Merril Dunuwille (1971 and 1973), and Bernard Perera (1975 and 1976).

The unbeaten 250-run partnership for the 4th wicket between Bernard Perera (140*) and Bede Perera (106*) in 1975 is the highest Antonian partnership for any wicket in the history of SACK-Bens games.

ST BENEDICT’S COLLEGE:

Lionel Fernando’s 185 at Kotahena in 1958 is the highest score for the Bens against SACK, followed closely by P.Pulle’s 172 at Campbell Park in 1920.

BOWLING RECORDS:

SACK:

Muthiah Muralitharan’s match bag of 15/105 (8/44 and 7/61) in 1991 at Katugastota is our best bowling performance against the Bens. Only four other 10-wicket hauls have been registered by an Antonian in this series- LV Jayaweera (12/67 in 1919), Mohamed Rizvie (10/42 in 1973), Piyal Wijetunge (10/63 in 1990) and Nimnaka Jayathilaka (10/126 in 2019)

ST BENEDICT’S COLLEGE:

Nihal Soysa’s bag of 12 wickets (7/16 & 5/32) at Kotahena in 1962 is the best for the Bens.