Some rivalries are born in a moment. Others are forged slowly – over generations, with echoes of applause drifting across cricket grounds.
The annual cricket encounter between Wesley College and St. Benedict’s College is one such rivalry. What began in 1896 at the Racquet Court Grounds in Fort – where Wesley triumphed by 64 runs – has grown into a tradition spanning 130 years, binding two schools together in sportsmanship and brotherhood.
Today, that tradition lives on through two contests: the historic traditional 2-day encounter for the Cartman Cup and the limited-overs clash for the Luke Shield. Though trophies and statistics may define the matches on paper, the true essence of the Bens-Wesley encounter lies in the atmosphere – when green, white, and double blue fill the stands, and the rhythm of drums mixes with the sharp crack of leather on willow.
Over the decades, the rivalry has produced moments that still echo in school cricket history.
In 1947, Wesley recorded the biggest victory, defeating St. Benedict's by an innings and 166 runs at the Railway Grounds in Mount Mary. The Benedictines have also had their share of dominance, recording the first known victory in 1918 by an innings.
Individual brilliance has frequently shaped the narrative of this contest. In 1933, K. Balakrishnan of Wesley delivered one of the most remarkable bowling spells in the encounter’s history, claiming 8 wickets for just 11 runs – the best bowling figures ever recorded in the rivalry. Later generations continued that tradition, with bowlers like Farveez Maharoof producing memorable performances, including 7 for 13 in 2000. Decades later, Wesley’s Shenal Dangalle came closest to Balakrishnan’s remarkable record when he produced a devastating spell of 8 for 39 in 2017.
Batting has also provided its share of unforgettable moments. From Wilson Abeysekera’s unbeaten 115 for St. Benedict’s in 1929 to Sangaran Nandalal’s commanding 137 in 2007, the encounter has always been a stage where young cricketers announce themselves.
Yet statistics alone cannot capture what these matches truly mean, for every run scored and wicket taken carries the weight of those who came before. The past six years have shown that the spirit of the Bens-Wesley encounter remains as vibrant as ever.
In recent years, several young cricketers have risen to the occasion. For Wesley, players like Sahil Dias and Semila Liyanage delivered crucial half-centuries in 2021. Meanwhile, the Benedictines found a standout performer in Sharujan Shanmuganathan, whose batting heroics – including a magnificent 98 not out in 2023 – cemented his place among the rivalry's modern stars.
The 2025 encounter saw Rashmika Amararathne narrowly miss the maiden century for Wesley in Bens-Wesley history with 98, while then captain Anuga Kodagoda led with a composed 82.
On the bowling front, remarkable spells continued to shape the contest. More recently, Uvin Perera’s 6 for 34 in 2024 demonstrated that the art of match-winning bowling remains alive within the Wesley ranks. The Benedictines, too, have fought fiercely. Mevan Dissanaike's impressive all-round effort in 2024 – claiming five wickets in the first innings and four in the second – testified to the competitive balance between the two sides.
Wesley's last outright victory came in 2017 under Thisuraka Akmeemana's captaincy, while St. Benedict's most recent triumph arrived in 2024 under Sharujan Shanmuganathan's leadership.
In recent years, the rivalry has expanded with the introduction of the Luke Shield, a one-day encounter honouring the legacy of Brother Luke Gregory of St. Benedict’s. The limited-overs match quickly became an iconic fixture.
Memorable performances have emerged in this young competition. In 2023, Shenal Samarathunga (SBC) scored 74, while Linal Subasinghe (WCC) responded with 56. 2024 saw Arshan Joseph (SBC) strike 63, with Sharujan Shanmuganathan’s 58*.
Lithum Nadakandage's (WCC) 59 in the 2025 encounter stood out as one of the most promising innings in the Luke Shield's history.
Bowlers have continued to leave their mark, with Wesleyites Semila Liyanage’s 4/26 in 2022 and Sanithu Amarasinghe’s 5/43 in 2023.
But in a rivalry like this, results tell only part of the story, as the true essence lies in the shared history, the emotional investment of the players and fans, and the enduring traditions that define each encounter.
The Bens-Wesley encounter has always been about more than cricket. It's about camaraderie between two schools whose histories run parallel through Colombo's streets. It's about students cheering in the stands, old boys watching with quiet pride, and a shared understanding that this rivalry is built on respect.
Each year, the story continues with a new group of young cricketers stepping onto the field to continue a rivalry that stretches back almost 130 years. This year, Wesley will be captained by Rashmika Amararathne, while St. Benedict's will be led by Mevan Dissanaike as they take the field at the Colombo Oval tomorrow (20).
They play not just for victory, but for the colours they wear, the crest on their chest, the roars from the stands, and the generations who once stood where they stand now – ready to do their best with bat or ball, leaving their own mark on a rivalry that has burned for over a century.
(The writer is the Vice-President of the Media Unit of Wesley College)
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The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect those of this publication