The highly anticipated 18th edition of the ‘Battle of the Golds – Uva,’ a historic annual cricket encounter between St. Joseph’s College Bandarawela and Central College Bandarawela is set to ignite the pitch on June 23-24 at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium (MRICS) in Sooriyawewa.
Since its inception in 1967, the ‘Battle of the Golds – Uva’ has become a revered tradition in Bandarawela, showcasing the immense talent and unwavering passion of these two rival schools. Organized by the St. Joseph’s College Past Pupils’ Association, this year’s edition promises to be an unforgettable spectacle of skill and solidarity.
Last year’s best batsman, YasiruRuwantha leads St Joseph’s College this year, while SithijaChamindu will be his deputy.
Bandarawela Central College team will be led by YasithaHeshanWeerasinghe while VirajBuddhika is set to assist him as vice-captain.
Both St. Joseph’s College and Central College have a rich history in this prestigious contest.
St. Joseph’s College, with their formidable prowess, has triumphed on three occasions, leaving their mark on this celebrated big match, while Bandarawela Central College, on the other hand, has emerged victorious twice.
St. Joseph’s College, Bandarawela:
Front row – from left: KHYasiruRuwantha(Captain), ChandanaBandra (Coach), KapilaWeerasekara(Master In-Charge), R MLaksiri Jayantha Ranasinghe (Principal), RBDASumathipala(Prefect of Games), DMSithijaChamindu (Vice-captain)
Secondrow – from left: MalshaGimhan,HesaraDulaj, ThemiyaSheheran, SachinDilanka, TharinduKrishan, ChaminduJinendra, SahanHansaka, AkilaSaumya, DasunUdayanga, TharushaNirmal, Sarith Malinda,VibuthiRuwan, OshadaDevinda, PamodMadubashitha, NishanPramod(WK)
Bandarawela Central College:
Front row – from left: D YasithaHeshanWeerasinghe (Captain), YMAmithChathurangaYapa (Master In-Charge), GDSarathBanduGunasekara (Principal), RMShanthaBandara (Prefect of Games), AGInusha De Silva (Coach), MDVirajBuddhika (Vice-captain)
Second row – from left: WMUdithaAkalpaWijesundara, WMLisanduNimsith, AAPadmikaKelumAbesinghe, RPHarithaSihilalNimsara, H ASenaraDillip, PKGimhanKesaraWeerasinghe, W AVihangaDilmin, AMSMUsaraManthisuAtthanayaka, T Sajeevanath, W MChathumlakpriyawijesundara, S D SahanChamikara, R M PabasaraMalinduBandara, D G SachinthaViraj, ChanulChirathamaGunasekara, D H M Roosara Tammita