Two of the oldest educational Institutions in the hill capital Trinity College and St. Anthony’s College, Katugasthota will meet each other in their centenary cricket encounter on March 10 and 11th at the Pallekelle International Cricket Stadium.
The old boys of both schools have formed a joint committee to make the occasion a memorable one. Trinity College more famous for rugby and St.Anthony’s forte being cricket will no doubt provide two days of absorbing cricket when they meet each other for the 100th time.
The Trinity- Antonian cricket encounter is the 6th oldest cricket encounter in Sri Lanka. Both schools have a great cricketing history and a rich tradition.
At a press briefing held at the Galadari Hotel Ball Room while officially opening a web-site for the event (www.trinityantonian.com) the principal of Trinity College Andrew Fowler - Watt said that the encounter between the two schools is one of the most prestegious cricketing events in the schools curriculum, and extremely pleased to be a part of the historic event as it is going from strength -to - strength in terms of traditions and cricketing excellence.
He said that at any stage the motive of the match is not playing to win at any cost as some play the game which could be very dangerous.
The emphasis will be focussed more on the spirit of the game. However, he said that last year Trinity came very close to winning ,but a fighting knock by Antonian Kanishka Uggalpaya saved the day for Antonians.
Rev. Fr. Henry Wijeratne OSB the principal of St.Anthony’s said that it is a remarkable achievement by two of the biggest and oldest schools in Kandy. The hill capital ‘battle of the blues’ is an excemplery match to all the other schools as it is a platform that showcases class, talent and the spirit of friendly rivalry. “It is a thrilling and exciting moment bubbling with enthusiasm and hard work done in preperation for the event. It is unique not only for the 100 years of cricket, but for the friendship lasted between the two schools for over a century and the spirit of sportsmanship.
Children develop very friendly rivalry and mix up together stressing the spirit of the game ,unity and harmony. Old boys from all over the world are expected to make their way to Kandy to witness the match.
Both, Trinity and St.Anthony’s have produced some great and fine cricketers who have shone in the national and international arena. Jack Anderson, A.C.M.Lafir, Mahesh Goonetileka , Bernard Perera, Marlon Von Hagt, Ruwan Kalpage, Piyal Wijetunga, Muthiah Mura;itharan and Sajith Ferrnando for the Anthonians and Ravi Ratnayake, Nilantha Ratnayake, Kaushalya Weeraratne, Kumar Sangakkara, Sachit Pathirana, Niroshan Dickwella, and Lahiru Kumara from Trinity. The world’s highest wicket taker Muralitharan and the highest run getter Sangakkara are products from these two schools.
The tally , as it stands so far after 99 encounters Trinity has won 23 to the Anthonians 12 with 64 ending in no decisions.