ST ANTHONY’S VS ST BENEDICT’S – A proud SAINTS partnership
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, and at the end of the recent fixture in 2024/2025 season, the record stands at 24 wins for SACK (1919, 1921, 1923, 1924, 1927-1929, 1932-1934, 1938, 1944, 1952-1954, 1959, 1973, 1988, 1990-1992, 2007, 2024 & 2025) and 15 wins for SBC (1917, 1920, 1925, 1926, 1935, 1941, 1950, 1958, 1962-1964, 1966, 1978, 1979 & 2017). Note: the year reflects the first term of the season proper. For example, 2025 = 2024/2025 season.
Despite a fine century by Jack Anderson (102) in the first innings, the Bens overcame the Antonians by 5 wickets in the inaugural 2-day game in 1917. The home side crumbled to 30 all out in the second innings 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, held at Havelock Park in Colombo in 1918, ended in a thrilling draw. Jack Anderson once again shone with a second century (109) against the Bens, while Robert Wright (5/41) and J. Carter (5/53) starred with the ball 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. Notably, the visitors' second innings score was just one run higher than the Antonians' infamous collapse two years prior. Key contributions came from RA de Silva (35) and Wright (39), who anchored the Antonian innings. (SBC 81 & 31; SACK 181).
EARLY 1920s
The Bens staged a remarkable comeback to secure a 97-run victory in the 1920 clash at Campbell Park, after being asked to follow on. Benedictine captain P. Pulle led the charge with a magnificent 172 in the second innings, setting the foundation for this triumph. The Antonians, despite holding a 144-run lead, were dismissed for just 61 in their second innings, succumbing to an unexpected defeat. LV Jayaweera’s impressive match haul of 8 wickets (5/35 and 3/80) ultimately proved futile. (SACK 236 & 61, SBC 92 & 302/9d)
The early 1920s saw fierce competition between the two sides, with neither team willing to relent. In 1922, Antonian skipper George Macky’s brilliant 93 in the first innings stood out in a closely contested draw at Campbell Park, Borella. P. Amerasinghe and Cecil Bolling contributed second-innings half-centuries (52 each) for the visitors. (SACK 183 & 197/6d, SBC 181 & 136/6). The Antonians clinched a 23-run victory in 1924, driven by Richard Tennant’s superb all-round display (62 & 5/46). Croos provided resistance for the hosts with a solid 68. (SACK 171 & 141, SBC 170 & 119). However, the Bens responded decisively the following year, winning by 5 wickets at Bogambara. (SACK 70 & 90, SBC 95 & 66/5).
The most gripping encounter came in 1926, when the Bens narrowly edged out an 8-run win at Campbell Park. Antonian captain G.R.S. Baie’s outstanding second-innings bowling (7/25) nearly turned the tide, aided by a stubborn last-wicket partnership of 68 between Ratnapala and S. Pillai. Chasing 156 for victory, the Antonian pair lifted the score from 80/9 to 148, falling agonizingly short. (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 innings was the highlight of the game
The Antonian dominance during the period from 1927 to 1934, where they claimed six wins in eight years, was interrupted in 1935 when the Bens clinched a 6-wicket victory in a low-scoring match at the Municipality Grounds in Colombo. (SACK 91 & 73, SBC 100 & 65/6). In 1938, the Antonians rebounded with a home win, despite a valiant 54-run last-wicket stand by the visitors. Key contributions from W. Marr (67), F.P. Rode (56 and 4/14), and P. Samarasinghe (5/26) played a pivotal role in their triumph. However, it would take another 14 years before the Antonians tasted success again, finally prevailing in 1952.
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). The 1945 match at Gampola ended in a draw, as the Bens staged a strong second-innings comeback after being dismissed for 78 in their first innings. Hugh Fernando’s rapid 50, scored in just 20 minutes, and S. M. Mawjood’s all-round contribution (4/39 & 41) stood out for the home side. Austin Fernando’s steady 65 helped the visitors avoid defeat. (SBC 78 & 188/7; SACK 233/8d).
The Antonians came close to victory on their home ground in 1947, after bowling out the visitors for 84 in the second innings. However, with only 28 runs required, time ran out before they could begin their chase. Palitha Abeysinghe (6/47) and Dickie Dunuwille (6/23) delivered standout performances with the ball, while T. M. A. Cooray (55) and Lionel Pamunuwa (55) contributed crucial fifties. (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). However, the Antonians responded with another winning streak from 1952 to 1954, reasserting 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) provided the only bright spot 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 ended their streak in 1973 with a 10-wicket victory at Katugastota, 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 clash at Katugastota remains iconic for the historic, unbroken 4th wicket stand of 250 runs between the Perera brothers—Bede (106*) and Bernard (140*). They rescued the innings from a precarious 6/3, steering the hosts to 256/3 before declaring. The match concluded in a draw. Bernard Perera followed this with another century (122*) in 1976 at Kotahena, which also ended in a draw.
The Bens rebounded to claim back-to-back victories over the Antonians, winning by an innings in 1978 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). Notably, the 1978 win was the Bens’ last victory at Kotahena, while the 1979 loss marked the Antonians’ last defeat to the Bens at Katugastota
1988 to1992 - 4 wins in 5 years for SACK
Between 1988 and 1992, the Antonians enjoyed a golden era, 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. In 1991, the Antonians' dominance continued at Katugastota, where Muthiah Muralitharan decimated the opposition with 8/44 and 7/61. His efforts ensured a comprehensive innings win, supported by skipper Nuwan Kalpage’s commanding 103. (Bens 142 & 153, SACK 320/4 dec). The winning streak extended into 1992, as the Antonians secured their fourth victory in five years with another triumph at Kotahena – their third consecutive win on Benedictine soil.
In 1995, Antonians came 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.
In 2007, the Antonians secured their first outright victory over the Bens since 1992, under the captaincy of 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.
The Antonians suffered their first defeat since 1979 when they were 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 match of 2020 at Kotahena, a brilliant 168-run second-wicket partnership between Sachin Prabath (107) and Lasitha Werallagama (81) stood out as the highlight of the Antonian innings. For the hosts, Malinda Perera's impressive 5 for 82, along with half-centuries from Pasan Suwahas (60) and Shehan Fernando (67), made a significant impact. (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, even after 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)
In 2024, the Antonians registered their first win against the Bens since 2007, winning by a margin of an innings and 5 runs at Kotahena (SBC 75 & 76, SACK 156) 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 Antonians secured another commanding victory this year (2025) at Katugastota, handing the Kotahena boys a second successive innings defeat (SACK 268, SBC 146 & 103). Despite a courageous effort from their captain and national U19 player, Sharujan Shanmuganathan, who led the scoring with 105 and 55 in each innings, the Bens could not avoid a heavy loss. Shanmuganathan’s contributions accounted for an impressive 64% of his team’s total runs. For the Antonians, opener Okitha Fernando stood out with 69, while pacer Kaushika Kumarasinghe (5/36 in the first innings) and Kevan Ramika Fernando (4/08 in the second innings) spearheaded the bowling attack, sealing the dominant win.
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.
