Old Peterites emerge overall champs at 56th Saints Quadrangular Tournament
View(s):Old Peterites secured the Overall Championship with 37 points while Old Josephians became the runners-up of the overall tournament with 21 points of the 56th Saints Quadrangular Tournament, which consisted of cricket, basketball and rugby competitions under different categories. St. Bridget’s Convent won the Invitation Six-a-side Cricket Tournament for the second consecutive year, defeating Holy Family Convent in the final.
Old Peterites finished with 37 points, 10 each for winning the Veterans’ T20 Cricket Tournament, the Main Quadrangular Cricket T20 Tournament and Rugby 7s as they proudly claimed the Ranjith Samarasekera Memorial Trophy for becoming Overall Saints Quadrangular champions, presented by the Saints Quadrangular Association. They also earned seven points for emerging runners-up in the Main Basketball Tournament.
Old Peterites clinched the Overall Championship of the 56th Saints Quadrangular
Old Joes finished overall runners-up, earning seven points each for emerging runners-up in the Veterans’ T20 Cricket Tournament, the Main Quadrangular Cricket T20 Tournament and Rugby 7s Tournament. Old Bens fell short by a single points, as they ended up with 20 points after winning both the Main Basketball and Basketball Over-40 tournament. Old Antonians finished with seven points, earned after finishing as runners-up in the Basketball Over-40 Tournament.
The Under-40 Main Basketball Tournament was won by Old Benedictines, who beat Old Peterites by 80-64 in the final. Old Bens claimed two of the three individual awards on offer, with Shehan Udayanga pocketing the Most Valuable Player award and Arnold Brent claiming the award for the Best Offensive Player. Leo Fonseka of Old Peterites clinched the Best Defensive Player award.
Old Bens swept the board in basketball, winning the Veterans; Over-40 Tournament with a score of 50-37 against Old Antonians in the final to earn a double title. Roshan Randima of Old Bens was adjudged the Most Valuable Player.
Old Peterites secured the Rugby 7s Championship with a resounding 33-7 win against Old Josephians in the final, with Dilshan Madushanga of the winning team emerging as the Player of the Tournament. Eventual winners, Old Peterites, reached the final with an unbeaten record, beating Old Josephians 12-5, Old Bens 33-5 and Old Antonians 35-0 in the round robin stage. Old Joes, despite losing a game, won their two remaining outings against Old Antonians by 28-12 and Old Joes by 35-5. Old Antonians won a solitary match by 34-5, against Old Bens, who failed to win a single game.
Old Peterites won their second title, pocketing the Veterans’ T20 Cricket Tournament, with a 4-wicket victory against Old Josephians in the final. Old Peterites clinched the Saints Quadrangular Veterans Cricket Champions Trophy while runners-up Old Joes pocketed the Premnath Moraes Memorial Trophy.
Batting first, Old Joes were bundled out for 119 runs in their allotted 20 overs with Namal Samarawickrama (35) and Tharindu Ariyawanasa (26) standing out as the main contributors. Spinner Brijesh Jeganathan claimed an impressive 5 for 14, while Sanjaya Rajapakse grabbed 2 for 12. Old Peterites reached the winning target of 120 runs losing six wickets, and with seven deliveries to spare. Dinesh Panditharatne remained unbeaten on 55 when Old Peterites reached the winning target while Lakshan Perera made 22. Dilshan Perumal claimed figures of 3 for 5 for Old Joes.
In the first semi-final, which was reduced to 15 overs per side, Old Joes beat Old Bens by 38 runs to book their berth in the final while Old Peterites had an easy outing against Old Antonians, as they booked their slot in the final with a 6-wicket win.
Old Peterites clinched three of the four individual awards, with Dinesh Panditharatne winning two – the Player of the Tournament and Best Batsman awards. Brijesh Jeganathan was named the Player of the Final for his impressive figures of 5 for 14. Dilshan Perumal of Old Joes was adjudged the Best Bowler.
Old Peterites secured their third title, by winning the Main Quadrangular Cricket T20 Tournament, with a 3-wicket win against Old Joes in the final. In a high-scoring final, Old Joes posted 154-9 in their allotted 20 overs, while Old Peterites made 157-6 with 12 deliveries to spare. Batting first, Old Joes made 154-9 with Shalindra Perera top scoring with 49, while national caps Dunith Wellalage (25) and Shevon Daniel (22) with Hirun Kapurubandara (21) chipping in with useful contributions. Manelka de Silva claimed 4 for 18 while Shan Nanayakkara claimed 2 for 13. Lahiru Dewatage top scored with a composed knock of 59 in the Old Peterites’ run chase, while Wanuja Sahan (33n.o.) and national cap Dushan Hemantha (24) making useful contributions. Veteran and former Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews claimed 2 for 9.
Old Joes easily overcame Old Bens by 8 wickets in the first semi-final in a low scoring affair, while in the second semi-final, Old Peterites had a comfortable outing against Old Antonians, winning the game by 9 wickets.
Again, Old Peterites claimed three of the four individual awards on offer with Lahiru Dewatage claiming the Player of the Tournament and Player of the Final awards. Manelka de Silva emerged the Best Bowler, while Salinda Perera of Old Joes was named the Best Batsman.
The annual traditional gathering for the old boys of the four premier Catholic schools in Sri Lanka, namely St. Anthony’s College, Katugastota, St. Benedict’s College, St. Joseph’s College and St. Peter’s College, concluded with splendid performances and entertainment through camaraderie of all four schools and specially, with an extensive contribution from the hosting school, St. Joseph’s College.
The Invitation Six-a-side Soft Ball Cricket Tournament involving four sister schools, namely Good Shepherd Convent, Kandy, St. Bridget’s Convent, Holy Family Convent and Good Shepherd Convent, Colombo, added more glamour to the event. Sponsorships from Prima Kottu Mee, LOLC and Hemas Hospitals had been the strength for this year’s tournament.
The opening ceremony was held with the presence of Rev. Fr. Jude Osman, representing the Rector of St. Joseph’s and Rev. Bro. Niran Perera FSC, representing the Rector St. Benedict’s, and with the gathering of officials and players. Distinguished Old Josephian Dinuk Wijeratne graced the occasion as the guest of honour. Another great sportsman and the business personality produced by St. Joseph’s, Dr. Kenneth de Zilwa, was the chief guest of the final day.
The 56th Saints Quadrangular Tournament successfully concluded with a prestigious award ceremony, with the Saints Quadrangular flag being ceremoniously handed over by Old Joes Sports Club President Prithieraj de Silva to the President of St. Peter’s College Old Boys Union, Roshan Fernando, who will organise the tournament in 2026.