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Joes have an edge over Petes

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89th Battle of the Saints

Formidable St. Joseph’s will have an edge over their archrivals St. Peter’s when the two teams meet for the 89th time in the Battle of the Saints encounter today and tomorrow at the SSC ground.Captained by Sri Lanka Under 19 player Sadeesh Jayawardena, St. Joseph’s are entering the most important match of the year with the Under 19 Division I Tier ‘A’ two-day tournament title in their bag. St. Joseph’s shared the joint champions’ title with Trinity this year to make it three in a row.

They have four Sri Lanka Under 19 players making it to the annual battle. Shevon Daniel who has not played very many schools matches this season due to various national level commitments, Hiran Jayasundara and Hirun Kapurubandara who were part of the junior national team that toured UAE recently will be eager to make a big impression.

Joes have been relying on the combination of Yenula Dewthusa’s left arm spin and Lahiru Amarasekara’s off spin in the bowling department. When they are joined by Shevon Daniel they have a complete spin armoury. Manasa Madubashana and Gagan Chamod will share the new ball duties.

Jayawardena is their leading bat after having amassed over 1000 runs for the season. Hiran Jayasundara, Muditha Dissanayake and Naren Muralidaran have maintained healthy averages this season with the latter providing resistance when the team were in trouble.

St. Peter’s under Nimuthu Gunawardane had to be content with a fourth place finish in their group during the first round in the Under 19 tier ‘B’ tournament. They too have their share of Sri Lanka Under 19 players with Vishen Halambage featuring in the Youth team in UAE recently.

Skipper Gunawardena (over 700 runs), Vishen Halambage (over 500 runs), Rusanda Gamage (close to 600 runs), Oween Salgado (over 500 runs), Kavika Jayasundara (500 runs) and Chamindu Perera (over 400 runs) form the backbone of the Petes batting line up.

In the bowling department Shennon Rodrigo(36 wickets), Halambage (18 wickets) and Gunawardena control spin, while Lakindu Sachin and Sean Roberts  share pacemen duties.

St. Joseph’s are leading the victory tally of his Big Match series 12-10.

Teams

St. Joseph’s

(from): Sadeesh Jayawardena (Captain), Lahiru Amarasekara, Shevon Daniel, Naren Muralidaran, Hiran Jayasundara, Hirun Kapurubandara, Manasa Madubashana, Keneth Liyanage, Yenula Dewthusa, Gagan Chamod, Muditha Dissanayake, Avintha de Alwis.

St. Peter’s

(from): Nimuthu Gunawardane (Captain), Sanshay Gunathileke, Vishen Halambage, Oween Salgado, Rusanda Gamage, Chamindu Perera, Kavika Jayasundara, Nathan David, Shennon Rodrigo, Lakindu Sachin, Sean Roberta, Lashmika Perera.  



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Sigera’s 189 powers Mahanama to major honours in drawn Big Match

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Dulnith Sigera

A monumental innings by Dulnith Sigera who put on a commanding opening stand with Sineth Veerarathne highlighted proceedings as Mahanama College posted 387 for nine declared and secured major honours in their annual Big Match against arch rivals DS Senanayake College at the SSC Ground on Sunday.

‎Resuming after DS Senanayake had posted 344 in their first innings, Mahanama built their reply around a superb 192-run opening partnership between Sigera and Veerarathne, laying a solid foundation for a dominant batting display.

‎Sigera emerged the chief architect of the innings with a magnificent 189, anchoring the batting for more than 70 overs in an innings that combined patience with aggression. Facing 209 deliveries, he struck ten fours and nine sixes in an entertaining knock before being run out, narrowly missing out on a double century.

‎At the other end, Veerarathne provided ideal support with a valuable 91, facing 135 balls and hitting seven boundaries and a six as the pair frustrated the DS bowling attack with the opening stand.

‎Mahanama continued to capitalise on the strong platform even after the opening breakthrough, with useful contributions from Chamika Heenatigala (30) and Sanul Weerarathne (28), enabling them to declare on 387 for nine in 87.4 overs and gain the upper hand in the traditional encounter.

‎For DS Senanayake, Oshadha Perera claimed three wickets for 63 runs, while Randisha Bandaranayake and Haamid Afdhal picked up two wickets apiece.

‎The drawn encounter was notable for three outstanding batting feats and an impressive six-wicket haul by left-arm spinner Chamika Heenatigala.

‎If seasoned campaigner Sigera stole the limelight for Mahanama on the final day, it was 14-year-old Miyuru Bandara who captured attention on day one with a composed century that helped DS Senanayake compile 344 in their first innings.

‎The young opener displayed maturity beyond his years, scoring a patient 100, while Randisha Bandaranayake (48) and Chanul Athale (47) made important contributions lower down the order.

‎Heenatigala was the standout bowler for Mahanama, bowling tirelessly to finish with impressive figures of six wickets for 100 runs in 41 overs.

‎In their second essay DS Senanayake reached 54 for one before the match ended in a draw, with Shevan Welgama unbeaten on 25 and Sithru Gunarathna not out on 14.

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Hayleys Mobility backs Sri Lanka’s Schools Rugby finale as official automobile partner

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Hasith Prematillake, Managing Director of Hayleys Fentons Limited, congratulating the winners

Championing youth potential and performance at the President’s Trophy Inter-School Knockout Final

‎Hayleys Mobility proudly served as the Official Automobile Partner for the President’s Trophy Inter-School Knockout Final, organised by the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association.

‎The thrilling encounter between Royal College, Colombo and Trinity College, Kandy, held at Sugathadasa Stadium, brought together some of Sri Lanka’s brightest young athletes in a remarkable display of skill, determination and sportsmanship during which Trinity College emerged victorious following an outstanding performance.

‎This partnership reflects Hayleys Mobility’s strategic focus on nurturing youth development at every stage, from grassroots participation to national-level competition. Through its support of schools rugby, the company contributes to instilling core values such as resilience, teamwork and ambition.

‎Commenting on the initiative, Roshani Dharmaratne, Executive Director of Hayleys Mobility Limited, stated:

‎”Sponsoring schools rugby is an important way for us to invest in the potential of Sri Lanka’s youth. From their first match to performing on a national stage, these athletes are on a journey of growth, determination, and achievement. Providing them with opportunities to excel is as important to us, and we are proud to energise them to perform at their best.”

‎Adding further perspective, Hasith Prematillake, Managing Director of Hayleys Fentons Limited, stated:

‎”Rugby is a game defined by intensity, strength, and forward momentum—qualities that reflect a mindset of progress and performance. As a brand, we are inspired by this same spirit: a drive to move with confidence, embrace challenges, and push boundaries. Supporting schools rugby allows us to stand alongside the next generation as they channel their energy and passion into excellence, both on and off the field.”

‎Rajieve Fernando, Chief Executive Officer of Hayleys Mobility, added:

‎”At Hayleys Mobility, we believe in empowering journeys, whether on the road or on the field. Supporting school rugby reflects our commitment to enabling the next generation to move forward with confidence, discipline and ambition.”‎

Roshani Dharmaratne, Executive Director of Hayleys Mobility greeting the finalists

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Andy Flower fined for ‘use of an audible obscenity’ during Mumbai Indians clash

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Amdy Flower has been handed a 15% fine. [BCCI]
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) head coach Andy Flower has been fined 15% of his match fee for breaching Level 1 of the IPL 2026 Code of Conduct during their game against Mumbai Indians in Raipur on Sunday (May 10).

The IPL said Flower breached Article 2.3 of the Code of Conduct, which relates to the “use of an audible obscenity during a match”. The incident occurred in the 17.2 over of RCB’s run-chase when Flower was involved in an animated exchange with the fourth umpire.

The flashpoint came after a contentious boundary call involving Krunal Pandya. Facing AM Ghazanfar, Krunal lofted the ball towards wide long-on where Naman Dhir took the catch near the ropes and parried it towards Tilak Varma while stepping over the boundary line. Tilak did not complete the catch and appeared to signal a six, perhaps mistaking Naman clipping one boot with the other for contact with the boundary cushions. Replays, however, showed Dhir had not touched the cushions during the effort.

Krunal, who was cramping up, did not attempt a run, and the delivery eventually resulted in a dot ball.

Flower admitted to the offence of “speaking aggressively with the fourth umpire” and accepted the sanction imposed by match referee Amit Sharma. Under IPL regulations, sanctions for Level 1 breaches are final and binding.

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