Prince of Wales vs St. Sebastians' 60th Battle of the Golds :

Sebastianites have slight edge over Cambrians

Dilvin MENDIS-Moratuwa sports correspondent

The annual 60th Battle of the Golds between Prince of Wales College and St. Sebastians' College will be played on March 12 and 13, 2010 at De Soysa Park, Moratuwa.

In addition to the Big Match this year will be a historic one for both schools as they meet each other in the Silver Jubilee Limited overs match on March 14 at the same venue.

A decision was reached for the last time in 1977 under Premalal Fernando for Cambrians. Since then all the 32 encounters were drawn.

This year both schools are packed with talented all-rounders and Cambrians have eight coloursmen while Sebastanites have six. Sebs are ahead with more victories with seven outright victories while Cambrians have recorded four.

According to the performances Sebs are ahead and if the weather permits a keen tussle could be expected. Cambrians will be led by second year coloursman and all-rounder Nuwantha Pieris who has passed the 400 mark and taken 15 wickets. His best was 66 against Thurstan College. He is lucky to have the services of last year's Skipper Buddhika de Alwis who has performed well this seasons. He had scored more than 600 runs and taken 70 wickets including six half centuries and 6 for 32 against Trinity College. So far he has collected 300 runs and his highest score was 70 against Richmond.

Another second year coloursman and all-rounder Malshan Mendis bats right hand and shares the new ball with Tisaru de Mel. He has passed the 300-run mark and taken 40 wickets. He took 7 for 63 and 7 for 40 against Royal and D.S. Senanayake.

Opener Isuru Thilina is a second year coloursman and bats right hand and bowls right arm. His highest score being 116 against D.S. Senanayake and missed a century by seven runs against Mahanama. So for he has collected 700 runs.

Second year coloursman and brilliant all-rounder Shehan Jayasuriya bats left hand and bowls right arm. His total is 800 runs with a haul of 35 wickets. He set an all time record of 165 runs against Royal when he surpassed the 163 runs scored by former Cambrian and Ceylon Cap Stanley de Alwis in 1955.

Another all-rounder Nipun Chamara, a second year coloursman open batting. He has taken 35 wickets and scored more then 400 runs. He took 6 for 70 against Ananda and highest score being 58 against Lumbini.

Sithum Fernando, is a fine all-rounder and a safe fielder in any position. He bowls right arm off spin. He made 70 against St. Peter's. Fresher Dulan Chanuka is the Stumper of the side with 32 victims.

A fourth year coloursman, right hand bat and left arm spinner Anuk de Alwis leads the Sebastians. In last year's Big Match he broke the record of Cambrian Suranga Wijenayake who set it up in 1995 by taking 8 for 48 and a match bag of 10 for 85. This season he has taken 52 wickets and passed the 500 run mark. Brilliant Fielder in any position.

The third year player and right arm fast medium bowler Charith Fernando is the vice captain. He can swing the ball both ways. Toured South Africa with the Sri Lanka Schools Under 19 and India with the under 17 team.

Sanitha de Mel, a third year coloursman opens bowling and so far captured 48 wickets. Hard hitter of the ball. He too toured South Africa with the under 19 team and India with the under 17 National team.

Dushan Dias is the stumper of the side. Prolific run getter who passed the 1000 run mark with two centureis and eleven fifties. He opens batting with Oshada Fernando, toured India with the under 17 team.

Another fine all-rounder Oshada Fernando is an opener. He too completed 1000 runs this season with three centuries and four fifties. Highest score being 194 against Thurstan College. Bowls right arm leg spin with an effective googly can field at any position.

Second year player Anoj Gayashan is a right arm off spin bowler and a middle order batsman with a fine arm. Left arm orthodox spinner Amila Aponso is the Baby of the team who is a very good fielder in the covers who has taken 74 wickets.

Second year player and top order batsman Kasun Fernando scored a fine unbeaten 141 against St. Josephs and has 700 runs under his belt. Bowls right arm off spin and a fine close in fielder.

Ramesh Fernando a fresher has excelled with the bat and has passed the 500 mark. Bowls medium pace Viroshana Alwis who bats at number four has scored over 600 runs. Uses his feet well for the spinners.