Joes-Antonians vie for Murali-Vaas Trophy

CRICKET: The 95th annual inter school cricket encounter between St. Anthony's College and St. Joseph's College will be worked off today and tomorrow at Katugastota.

This year's fixture will be of great significance as the two teams will be vying for honours for the Murali - Vaas trophy in honour of two cricketing personalities who have done yeomen services both for their school and country.

The Josephians are enjoying a successful season this time having already notched up six outright victories against Isipatana, Maris Stella College Negombo, De Mazenod College Kandana, Trinity College Kandy, D. S. Senanayake College and Meepawela Amarasooriya MMV.

The Antonians of course have experienced mixed fortunes having suffered a shock defeat at the hands of their home town rivals Dharmaraja College by three wickets. But their finest moment of this season came when they defeated Royal College after a lapse of 18 years.

However St. Joseph's College have clearly dominated the series between the two schools and are well ahead with a total of 38 victories under the belt. In contrast the Antonians have triumphed only on eight occasions.

But St. Joseph's College have not been able to beat the Antonians for more than two decades having recorded their previous win way back in 1984 under the captaincy of Jeewaka Candappa.

The Antonians of course tasted success in the year 1991 under the leadership of Nuwan Kalpage.

(C.D)