The cricketing tale of two cities
The 67th Battle of the Golds cricket encounter between Sri Sumangala College (SSC) and Moratu Maha Vidyalaya (MMV) will take place at De Soysa Cricket Stadium in Moratuwa on March 22 and 23. The 27th One Day Encounter will take place on March 24 at the same venue. The first encounter between the two schools dates back to 1934. Of the 66 big matches played between the two schools until 2018, Sumangalians has won eight and Moratu Vidyalaya seven, with the rest being declared draws. The first victory for Sumangalians was in 1962 while the first victory Moraliyans was in 1956.
The one day encounters, which began 27 years ago in 1993, have resulted in 12 victories for Sumangalians, 11 for Moratu V, with two matches ending in no decisions and a match not played in 2001.
The 67th Battle of the Golds will therefore either continue to solidify the win enjoyed by the boys from Panadura or bring both teams to a tie. Sri Sumangala College in 2019 will be captained by Janindu Induwara. Janidu comes from a long line of Sumangalian cricket captains and is the son of 1981 captain Saman Kumara whose brother Kalum Sanjeewa was also appointed captain in 1986. The two generations of a family of captains is a first time occurrence for Sri Sumangala College. Nishan Madushka will captain Moratu Maha Vidyalaya and also represents the Sri Lanka Under-19 team as well.
In the 2018/2019 cricketing season, the schools have performed incredibly well. Sumangalians has played 13 matches within the cricketing season with six outright wins, three outright losses and a match with no decision taken. The team also recorded two first innings victories and a first innings victory loss. Moraliyans has played a total 15 matches this season with four victories and 11 matches being declared a draw.
Over the past year, both schools have shown remarkable skill in the field. On the pitch, top batsman and Captain Janindu Induwara from Sri Sumangala College has played 12 matches this season scoring a total of 818 runs including two centuries and 05 half centuries. His personal best was 153 runs against Taxila Central College, Horana. Moratu Maha Vidyalaya has also shown great sportsmanship with from Captain Nishan Madushka who has played 13 matches scoring a total of 1,386 runs complete with six centuries, five half centuries and his personal best recorded at 172 not out against Prince of Wales College in Moratuwa.
In bowling for Sumangalians, particularly Anuka Jayasinghe, has played 11 matches capturing a total of 71 wickets and four, five-wicket hauls. His personal best recorded was a 6 for 41 against Taxila Central College in Horana. Moraliyans has also shown great skill in the bowling field especially from Eran Hansamal who has played a total of 15 matches, secured 71 wickets, with his personal best at 7 for 48 against Maristella College in Negombo.
Among the many successes of Sri Sumangala College, Ravin Wickramarathna’s 7 wickets for 23 runs in 1981 is a notable one. Interestingly, Wickramarathna has also been elected as the Vice President of Sri Lanka Cricket in the recent past, from his previous tenure as Assistant Secretary. A few other victories for Sumangalians include 1975 Captain Tissa Illeperuma representing Ceylon Team before the Test status was granted, 1983 Captain Don Anurasiri being the first Sumangalian to present Sri Lanka’s Test cricket team, who was subsequently followed by 1995 Captain Indika Gallage and 2001 Captain Dilruwan Perera.
A few other remarkable cricketers in the local playing field who began their cricketing career at Sri Sumangala include, Kaushal Silva before playing for S. Thomas’ College; Kithruwan Vithanage before joining Royal College, Colombo and Under-13 and Under-15 Captain Oshada Fernando before joining St. Sebastian’s College, Moratuwa.
A noteworthy player in Sri Lanka cricket, Ajantha Mendis, is an old boy of Moratu Maha Vidyalaya.
This year’s 67th Battle Of The Golds is organised by Sri Sumangala College along with the Past Cricketers’ Association of Sri Sumangala College.
 Moratu Vidyalaya Seated from left: Prasanna Dissanayake (Coach), Nishan Madushka (Captain), Hemasiri Ataudage (Principal), Nadith Mishendra (Vice Captain), Rasika Chaminda (MIC) First row from left: Chamalka Pushpakumara, Eran Hansamal, Dilshan Dilakshana, Madushan Dilakshana, Rashan Kawishka, Janitha Swemith, Niraj Kawishka, Vishwa Didulana, Awantha Sulakshana Second rown from left: Damith Pushpakumara, Mahith Meddinu, Hashan Adithya, Chathula Bhagya, Madura Gimhana, Vinura Nipun, Sukitha Dewthilina, Thushan Nimantha |  Sri Sumangala College Seated from left: Deshan Fernando (Assistant Coach), Tharana de Silva, Janidu Inuwara (Captain), Dimuthu Deranagoda (Principal), Shanadith Fernando (Vice Captain), Priyankara Nandasena (MIC), Anuka Jayasingha, Manoj Chanaka (Head Coach) First row from left: Charuka Peiris, Heshan Kavinda, Prabash Jayasekara, Namina Danidu, Buddina Sri Shenal, Imalka Fernando, Vishwa Lahiru, Kavindu Gayathra Second row from left: Mihiranga Fernando, Ashen Zoysa, Gayasha Peiris, Chamod Alvis, Charuka Jayathilaka, Shalana Gamage, Imeth Gampola, Poorna Prabath, Isanka Heshan, Sasindu de Silva |