One of the most competitive big matches played in Sri Lanka, the ‘Battle of the Saints’, powered by Dialog Axiata PLC, played between St. Joseph’s College and St. Peter’s College for the Rev. Father Maurice J. Le Goc Trophy, will be played for the 89th occasion at the SSC on the 28th and 29th April 2023.
Due to the unprecedented times in the last two years with the COVID-19 pandemic, the matches were played behind closed doors for the safety of players, however with the easing of COVID-19 restrictions this season, the Joint Match Organising Committee of the ‘Battle of the Saints’ under the guidance of the Rectors/Principal of the two respective schools have decided to play the 89th edition in full attendance of students, old boys and well-wishers.
Dialog Axiata PLC has made arrangements to broadcast the matches live on Dialog Television Channel Number 70, and via live stream on ThePapare.com and the Dialog ViU app.
Photos – 89th Battle of the Saints | Press Conference
The ‘Battle of the Saints’, which is renowned for its exciting and competitive brand of cricket is the only annual two-day cricket encounter that strategically limits the first innings to 60 overs each to create greater interest and push towards a result.
In the 2023 encounter, the lads from Darley Road will be led by the wicket-keeper batsman and Sri Lanka U19 player Sadeesh Jayawardena, while the boys from Bambalapitiya will be under the captaincy of batting allrounder, Nimuthu Gunawardana.
“The Joe-Pete is one of the most anticipated annual encounters in Sri Lanka’s schools’ cricket calendar and I’m pleased that the 89th edition of our beloved encounter will be played in its past glory,” Rev. Fr. Rohitha Rodrigo, the Rector of this year’s hosts, St. Peter’s College, Colombo, said. “I take this opportunity to thank our long-term partner Dialog Axiata for being with us during good and challenging times.”
Rev. Fr. Ranjith Andradi, Rector of St. Joseph’s College, Colombo, said, “The Battle of the Saints between St. Peter’s and St. Joseph’s has a long and rich history of tradition as two of the leading Catholic schools in Sri Lanka. I am sure both teams will play exciting cricket to bring excitement for both young and old Peterites and Josephians. I wish both the schools and their respective captains the very best to deliver two days of exhilarating cricket. “
St. Joseph’s College leads the series tally with 12 wins, their last win coming under the captaincy of Ruwantha Fernandopulle in 2008, while St. Peter’s College was the winner of the 2016 encounter under Vinu Mohotty, bringing their tally to 10 wins, which ensured the Rev. Father Maurice J. Legoc Trophy was kept securely in the trophy cabinet at Bambalapitiya.
>> MARCH MADNESS <<
The highly anticipated Josephian-Peterite limited-overs match played for the Fr. Peter A. Pillai Memorial Trophy which was the first one-day encounter among schools commencing in 1975 and has always attracted the highest number of spectators for a school’s 50-over cricket match, is scheduled to be played on the 30th of April 2023 at the SSC Grounds, Colombo.
The Josephians lead the one-day encounter 24-21 with 2 no results and one tie. In last year’s encounter, the boys from Bambalapitiya edged out the Josephians in a closely contested game.
The two schools have produced many National Caps. Current Sri Lanka Test Captain Dimuth Karunaratne, Angelo Mathews, Chaminda Vaas, Dunith Wellage, Thisara Perera, Ashley De Silva, Michael Van Dort, Roshen Silva, Priyamal Perera, and Sadeera Samarawickrama are the Josephians who have represented Sri Lanka while the Peterites are Roy Dias, Rumesh Ratnayake, Vinodhan John, Amal Silva, Russel Arnold, Kaushal Lokuarachchi, Malinda Warnapura, Angelo Perera and Janith Liyanage.
This year, Janatha Steel has strengthened the JoePete as the Platinum Sponsor for the 2023 edition. JoePete 2023 edition has also attracted many other sponsors including Keells Krest, Elephant House, CBL, Maggie, Daraz, HNB, Uber, and Singer Sri Lanka for its vibrant brand of school cricket. Currently, the Josephians are the Under 19 Inter School Division One Tier A Two Day Joint Champions.
Dialog Axiata is the proud sponsor of the Sri Lanka National Volleyball, Netball, and Esports teams. The company also has a close association with the President’s Gold Cup Volleyball, National Junior and Senior Netball tourneys, Schools Rugby, and Paralympic sports – by powering the Army Para Games, National Para Games, and the Sri Lankan contingent to the World Paralympic Games.
