The 105th Hill Country Battle of the Blues rivalry for the John Halangoda Trophy, Trinity College vs. St. Anthony’s College comes to life today (15) at the grand Asgiriya Stadium. Meanwhile the most anticipated clash of the Southern Coast, the 119th Lover’s Quarrel - Richmond College vs. Mahinda College encounter will also unfold today (15) at the Galle Stadium.
Richmondites have laid their hands on silverware by winning the encounter winning 25 times out of 113 encounters (played) with their last win in 2019 under Thaveesha Abhishek while the Mahindians giving their best fight each year, are closely behind with 23 wins, they last tasted victory in 2008 under Rajith Priyan. The Lover’s Quarrel has seen 65 drawn games since its humble beginnings in 1905. Mahinda College broke a 30-year hoodoo when they won in 2008 after their previous win 1978. Richmond saw a 45-year wait finally coming to an end in 2014 when they created history.
The 67th Lovers’ Quarrel in 1972 is known to be one of the best encounters in the series. A 33-year-old batting record, set by a Mahindian in 1939 was broken by a Richmondite, on the first day of play, and then the new record was broken the following day by a Mahindian. 5th year coloursman and U19 National player Dinura Kalupahana leads the Mahinda outfit this year whilst U19 National vice captain Malsha Tharupathi leads the Richmond team.
Two well balanced sides battle in Kandy
Trinitians are leading the tally of wins with 23 to Antonians, 11 and 70 encounters ending in draws. Last Trinity win was under Niroshan Dickwella in 2012 while Antonians win was in 1992 under Umesh de Alwis.
Chief Guest will be Trinity 1988 captain Channa Fernando.
This year Trinity is led by national youth and cricket lion, Manula Kularathne. They won against Matara Thomians, Thurstan, and St Anne’s while scoring first innings wins against Mahanama, Royal, St. Benedict’s, Maris Stella, St Joseph’s, and Wesley.
The outfit is coached by Trinity alumnus, Naveen Ekanayake.
Antonians are led by 3rd year coloursman Thisara Ekanayake and his deputy Kaveesha Piyumal also a 3rd year coloursman.
Skipper Ekanayake broke the record of Jack Anderson set up in 1918 to score four hundreds in Colombo.
The Eagles have recorded 6 wins this season against Ananda, Dharmaraja ,Nalanda, St. Benedict’s, St Sebastians, and Gurukula.
Kavinda Jayasuriya, their Head Coach is a Triniatian who previously coached his alma mater as well.
The 42nd Limited Overs Encounter - Sir Richard Aluwihare Trophy, will be played on 23rd March at the Katugastota Oval.
Trinity Squad
Manula Kularathne (Captain), Dinusha Pieris (Vice Captain), Tharana Wimaladharma, Dinuka Thennakoon, Supun Waduge, Jayavi Liyanagama, Janith Warnakula, Malith Rathnayake, Viduka Dammage, Dimantha Mahavithana, Vathila Udara, Thisal Yapa, Kaveen Gamage, Ometh Bandara, Kavindu Jayarathne, Pullesha Thilakarathne, Rajindu Thilakarathne, Sweath Anurajeewa and Viduneth Dammage
St Anthony’s Squad
Thisara Ekanayake (Captain), Induwara Galapitage (Vice Captain), Kaveesha Piyumal, Janith Rathnasiri, Charuka Ekanayake , Januka Rathnayake, Januth Ambanpola, Dasun Walianga, Kaven Fernando, Dinura Ganegoda, Neden Ebert, Kavindu Navanjana, Anjana Weerasekara, Bimash Samarasinghe, Kaushika Kumarasinghe, Okitha Fernando, Inuka Wewliyadda, Vishwa Thilakarathne, Nikil Abilash and Sadew Amarakoon
(Muaard Razick and MS)