79th Battle of the Saints:

Teams evenly balanced

Thushan Jayasuriya

Perennial rivals St.Joseph's College and St.Peter's College will battle for supremacy when they confront each other in the 79th “Battle of the Saints” for the prestigious Rev.Fr. Maurice J Le Goc Memorial Trophy at P.Sara Oval on today(1) and tomorrow(2).

The Josephians are looking to regain their lost prestige where they suffered a shocking defeat at the hands of their rival last year while St.Peter's College will be looking forward to retain the trophy for the 10thtime.

The formidable Peterites have recorded five outright victories against De Mazenod, Isipatana, St.Sylvester's, Maris Stella and Lumbini while bagging first innings wins against St.Aloysius Galle, S.Thomas’ Mount Lavinia, Royal Colombo , Nalanda and D.S.Senanayake.

Joes seem to have recovered well following their crushing defeat last year and have maintained an unbeaten record in the current inter school season with two outright victories against Moratu Maha Vidyalaya and St.Anthony's College Katugastota while they claimed first innings wins over more fancied teams like Royal Colombo, S.Thomas’ Mount Lavinia, Trinity Kandy, Maris Stella Negombo, Holy Cross Kalutara, Thurstan and Isipatana Colleges.

The big match history record shows 12 wins for the Joes and nine in favour of Peterites in the 79-year ‘big match’ series. Peterites won their last encounter in 2012 under the captaincy of Shehan Fernando . Josephians enjoyed their last victory in 2008 under the captaincy of Ruwantha Fernandopulle.

The Peterite batting department will be spearheaded by Dushan Hemantha who amassed 700 run mark for the current season with two centuries and two half centuries.

He will be well supported by Lahiru Milantha (697), opener Shasheen Fernando(640) and Janith Liyanage (599).

The experienced opening pair of Julian de Zilwa and Shasheen Fernando are out to give a strong opening and hope they will come good in this all important match. Peterite bowling lineup will be strengthened by Chemila Obeysekera (35 wickets), Chrishan Fernando (25 wickets) ,Janitha Liyanage and Ranitha Liyanarachchi (14) wickets. In fact St.Peter's possess a balanced line up with a blend of youth and experience.

Joes who remained unbeaten were further boosted with their recent win over St.Anthony's College Katugastota. The spin combination in Aravinda Akurugoda (4 for 1) and Modhitha Weerasinghe (4 for 5) rattled the Antonian batting line up for a mere 35 runs.

Josephian skipper Sachien Hewawasam hopes to excel with both bat and ball.

He proved his batting prowess totalling 446 runs for the current season and he is a useful bowler where he bagged 42 wickets last season.

The star batting trio of Dylan Fernandopulle, Yashan Samarasinghe and Sadeera Samarawickrema are the top guns in the Josephian batting department.This trio are the only centurions in the side this season.Priyamal Perera, Pathum Madusanka and Fabian Fernando will add some variety with their elegant strokes.

The Teams

St.Peter's : Dushan Hemantha(Captain),Julian de Zilwa(Vice Captain) Lahiru Milantha, Shasheen Fernando, Janith Liyanage, Jason Buultjens,Kavinda de Tissera, Chemila Obeyesekere, Ranitha Liyanaarachchi, Chrishan Fernando, Oshan Karunaratne, Chandula Jayamanne, Haritha Dias, Sudil Dissanayake, Kalana Ranjana, Sahan Nanayakkara, Dinith Thimdya, Nimantha Peiris and Naveen Dharshana.

St.Joseph's : Sachin Hewawasam(Captain), Arvindh Fernando(Vice Captain), Dylan Fernandopulle, Yashan Samarasinghe, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Priyamal Perera, Pathum Madusanka, Fabian Fernando, Moditha Weerasinghe, Rajindu Rodrigo, Aravinda Akurugoda, Damith Weerasinghe, Shehan Perera, Kushan Weerakkody, Trishan Tanuja, Bryan Jayamanne.