{"id":132741,"date":"2024-03-27T16:55:10","date_gmt":"2024-03-27T16:55:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/?p=132741"},"modified":"2024-03-27T16:55:10","modified_gmt":"2024-03-27T16:55:10","slug":"saints-rivalry-forged-strong-bonds-of-friendship-by-lawrence-heyn-in-brisbane-australia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/saints-rivalry-forged-strong-bonds-of-friendship-by-lawrence-heyn-in-brisbane-australia\/","title":{"rendered":"Saints\u2019 rivalry forged strong bonds of friendship – By Lawrence Heyn in Brisbane, Australia"},"content":{"rendered":"

Saints\u2019 rivalry forged strong bonds of friendship – By Lawrence Heyn in Brisbane, Australia<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Source :\u00a0sundaytimes<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

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History-making Josephian and Peterite teams: (Back row, from left): Kitto Fernandopulle, Angelo Wickremaratne, Charinde Perera, Romello Anandappa, Darrel Wijetunge, Aruna Perera, Carlton Bernadus, Reynold Anandappa, Anura Eliyathamby, Narain Melvani, Noel Warnakula, Lal Perera, Nilkamal Perera, Kevin Hingert, and Suraj Abeysekera (Middle row, from left): Michael Chanmugam (SPC coach), Vernon Tissera (umpire), Priyalal de Silva, Rohan Wijesinghe, Ranjan Perera, Shamilal de S. Wijeratne, S.C. Rohan Fernando, Susilough de S. Wijeratne, Ajit de Alwis, Ranjit Senaratne, Wayne Jansz, Sunanda Jayasekera, Niranjan Weerasinghe, James Perera (SJC coach) and S. Ponnadurai (umpire) (Seated, from left): Angelo Rayer (SJC master in-charge), Rev. Fr. Lucian dep (SJC Prefect of Games), Trevor Croner, Rev. Fr. Quintus Fernando (SJC Rector), Dushan Soza (SJC captain), Bernard Wijetunge (SPC captain), Rev. Fr. Claver Perera (SPC Rector), Frank Hubert, Rev. Fr. Chrys Abeyratne (SPC Prefect of Games) and Austin Fernando (SPC master in-charge)<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

A unique moment in history will be visited when players from the inaugural St. Joseph\u2019s versus St. Peter\u2019s One Day match reunite for the 50th year celebrations of this milestone event.<\/span><\/p>\n

The first-known schools\u2019 50-over match was played by the Saints at Darley Road on March 16, 1975, paving the way for a style of limited overs cricket that is enjoyed the world over today. The reunion marks the 50th Josephian-Peterite one day game at the SSC grounds on April 6, Saturday.<\/span><\/p>\n

For the record, St. Peter\u2019s won that first encounter by 5 wickets in a low scoring game. The Josephians scored 118 in 40.3 overs and the Peterites reached their target in the 43rd over, totalling 120 for 5.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Mine or yours? Bernard Wijetunge and Dushan Soza take a moment to ponder who will have the first grip on the shield<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

But that game was more than a win-loss result \u2014 it forged bonds of friendship that have stood the test of time and reached across oceans. Rival captains Dushan Soza and Bernard Wijetunge are firm friends 50 years later and the mutual respect they have for each other is palpable. Through their banter, you can see they have grown through their leadership roles to enjoy successful careers and be good role models.<\/span><\/p>\n

There are many stories of friendship. Frank Hubert, the Peterite vice captain had Trevor Croner, the top scorer for the Josephians, as his best man at his wedding, along with other players who lent a hand.<\/span><\/p>\n

The loss of Croner to an illness in 2004 was a cruel blow to the squad members and the cricketing community. He was making a name for himself as an innovative coach in Brisbane as a valued member of Queensland Cricket\u2019s coaching panel.<\/span><\/p>\n

Croner\u2019s specialty was biomechanics, in which he used video equipment for slow motion analysis, along with stills. He used his expertise to advise Sri Lankan teams visiting Australia.<\/span><\/p>\n

The brainchild of this reunion belongs to Charinde Perera, who, spurred on by the multiple friendships forged around the world, mooted this idea as far back as 2014. Charinde, who lives in Los Angeles, California, is stoked the plan has reached fruition.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Friends for life — Bernard Wijetunge and Dushan Soza soak in the buzz of reunion plans<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cI am excited and can\u2019t wait to get to the reunion,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n

He can also fondly look back on the events of 50 years ago as he played a winning hand for St. Peter\u2019s, partnering with Angelo Wickremaratne, in an unbroken 51-run partnership for the sixth wicket.<\/span><\/p>\n

Players are descending on Colombo later this month from around the world, including the USA, Australia, England, Morocco, and Pakistan. While most of St. Peter\u2019s squad, barring Suraj Abeysekera, will attend the reunion, sadly the Josephians will miss five members \u2013 Trevor Croner, Priyalal de Silva, Ranjit Senaratne, Niranjan Weerasinghe <\/span>and Anura Eliyathamby, who have passed away. No doubt<\/span>
\nthe loss will be deeply felt at the reunion.<\/span><\/p>\n

Wijetunga and Soza have done a lot of work to bring public attention to that historic first encounter in 1975. In the wave of publicity in the past two weeks, it is important to note what they are saying as one day cricket has changed a lot \u2013 some for the better and some for the worse.<\/span><\/p>\n

On that inaugural match, Soza said: \u201cWe took that defeat with much grace.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Yet, it instilled a kind of self-belief and will in the Josephians that made them school champions for three consecutive years.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe were taught to be disciplined, respect each other on and off the field and played the game in its right spirit, living the values that the school had taught us. In those days some of my best friends were made from other schools and are friends to this date,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI enjoy banter with my opposing Peterite skipper Bernard, and we always have a good laugh when reminiscing our school and club careers whenever we meet.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Soza\u2019s advice to the current crop of cricketers: \u201cRemember, through the years, a great culture has been created.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Wijetunge does not hide his disdain for the bad behaviour of current captains and<\/span>
\nplayers, who have been abusing and questioning the umpire\u2019s decisions.<\/span><\/p>\n

In a press conference, Wijetunge said: \u201cI have seen a captain arguing with<\/span>
\nthe umpire. During our time, the umpire\u2019s word is law. Whether it\u2019s right or wrong you must go.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He advocated for stronger disciplinary measures for dissent on and off the field. <\/span>Final words for schools\u2019 cricketers: \u201cPlay the game in the correct spirit.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2013Fun Facts\u2013<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n