In celebrating 129 year’s of cricketing legacy since St. Benedict’s and Wesley first met on a cricket pitch way back in 1896, both schools have made elaborate plans to host this year’s One Day encounter on March 29 at SSC and the two day encounter on March 31 and April 1 at P. Sara Oval.
Further both institutions will join hands to celebrate the 160th Anniversary of St. Benedict’s College, which falls this year.
This year the one-day encounter for the Luke Shield will be played ahead, after Bens-Wesley Committee was forced to push back the original dates set for the two day encounter due to Ordinary Level Examinations being scheduled for March.
Last year, St. Benedicts College led by Sharujan Shanmuganathan had the hour of being the first recipient of the Rev. James Cartman Cup when they beat Wesley College by 46 runs at the P. Sara Stadium. The first winner between two sides since the trophy was introduced in 2021.
In February 2021, Director of St. Benedict’s Dr Brother Pubudu Rajapaksha and Principal of Wesley Avanka Fernando signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding to host the Annual Bens-Wesley 1st Cricket Encounter with a purpose, for a cause and for the future whilst celebrating the landmark 125 years of Bens-Wesley cricketing legacy and bringing together both College’s fraternities.
The Cartman Cup was introduced in memory of former Principal of Wesley College Rev. James Cartman for the two day encounter which was played on April 24 and 25, 2021 at St. Benedict’s College ground.
The 2024 encounter witnessed a capacity crowd participation which were treated to an exciting game at the P. Sara Oval where the pendulum swung both ways before Benedictines settled with the win.
It must be noted that in spite of draws in the previous three years, the match lived up to its expectations as both schools played some entertaining cricket though none could lift the trophy until Sharujan lifted the majestic trophy in 2024, which is on offer for an outright win.
These details were revealed at the media briefing held at the Excel World – Park Premier on March 12.
The one-day encounter played for the Luke Shield in memory of former Director of St. Benedict’s College Brother Luke Gregory was to be held in 2021 but could not be held due to the lockdown in Colombo. However, both schools hosted the inaugural encounter in April 2022 at P. Saravanamuttu Stadium (P. Sara Oval), which St. Benedict’s College managed to win.
This year St. Benedict’s College is led by Shanmuganathan Sharujan and Wesley College by Anuga Pahansara.
The Bens-Wesley Committee expect students, both past and present to witness this encounter, or through the live telecast so that they can be a part of this celebration from anywhere in the world!
