CHAMPION PETERITE RUGBY TEAMS FROM 1935 TO 2023 – by Algi Wijewickrama

CHAMPION PETERITE RUGBY TEAMS FROM 1935 TO 2023 – by Algi Wijewickrama

A well-known fact among the rugby playing schools in Sri Lanka is that the Peterites have a legacy to be proud of where rugby is concerned. A 91-year old saga which began in 1932 when the Peterites fielded their first team led by Lim Bilimoria to compete in the rugby arena. 

Being only the fifth school to take up the sport behind Kingswood, Trinity, Royal and Zahira, the Peterites have the unique distinction of beating Trinity (when Trinity was the team to beat), in only their 4th year of Rugby (1935) and sharing the Champion tag with Trinity in that year. Not satisfied with this laurel, in the very next year, they earned the unbeaten champion status and what is more, maintained their Champion status for five years from 1935 to 1939.

Since then, up until this year, the Peterites have produced many champion sides, earning league titles, knockout titles, 7s and 10s titles and among these champion teams there have been three Double Champion teams (League and Knockout – 2006, 2007 and 2023) and one Triple Champion team (7s, League and Knockout – 2010).    

While celebrating the achievements of Peterite rugby team this year, so ably led by Ashain Maligasge, I was prompted to go through the records and recall all those Peterite teams and captains of the past who achieved Champion status.

Based on information gathered from different sources, the Champion teams/squads are given below from the very first Peterite team to achieve the ‘League Champion’ status which was the team led by Fred Keller in 1935 (joint Champs with Trinity).

1935 (Joint League Champions) – Fred Keller (Captain), Shirley de S Illesinghe, Archibald Perera, Paul de Niese, Roy Reimers, Stanley Pereira, Ronnie Peiris, Anton Sielman, G. Walles, George Keller, Stanley Livera, Louis de Niese. M. Mack, Percy Perera, T. Kreltszhem, S. C. de Silva. (See team picture)

1936 (Unbeaten League Champions) – Archibald Perera (Captain), Fred Keller (previous year’s captain), H. de La Harpe, J. R. de Silva, W. Fernando, George Keller, R. Reimers, Stanley Livera, H. Young, Louis de Niese, W. Kreltszhem, Percy Perera, G. Abeywardena, L Siebel, S. C. de Silva, K. Amarasingham and David VanCuylenberg, (See team picture)

1937 (Unbeaten League Champions) – Percy Perera (Captain), Patrick Perera, S. P. Goonesakera, W. Fernando, L. Jayasekera, S. Fernando, Terry de Niese, Louise de Niese, E. Fernando, E. Foenander, V. Peiris, Wijesooriya, R. Siebel, Botejue, S. C. de Silva, R. J.  Van Cuylenberg, L. G. Ebert and D.L. Walpola (See team picture)

1938 (Unbeaten League Champions) – Percy Perera (Captain), Louise de Niese, Terrence de Niese, Shelton Gunasekera, Patrick Perera, S. C. de Silva, C. V.  Peiris, R. J. Van Cuylenberg, E. Toussaint, A. D. P. Perera, P. Muttukrishna, C. Dharmaratne, Forester Perera, Kenneth de Silva and D. L. Walpola (See team picture)

1939 (Joint League Champions) – Vernon Peiris (Captain), Donald Perera, W. A. Chandrasena, Forester Perera, Kenneth de Silva, B. Davoodbhoy, E. Toussaint, Louis de Niese, Terry de Niese, B. Harvey, E. R. Christoffelsz, A. D. B. Perera, R. Seilman, Weerakoon, V. Wickramasinghe, M. Numan, R. Arthur and E. de Run (See team picture)

1965 (Unofficial League Champions) – Darrel Wimalaratne (Captain), Ranjan Rajendrem, Aubrey Paternott, Royden de Zilva, D Vasishta, Ronnie Gunaratna, Rodney Paternott, Hamzi Hameed, Durand Beckmeyer, James Alagaratnam, Geoffrey Alagaratnam, Mervyn Fernando, Everard Hoffman, Michael de Niese, Chelliah Nirmalendran, M Jainudeen, Harold Jansz, Rasiah Paramsothy, C Rezel, Dennis Killelea (See team picture)

1966 (Unofficial League Champions) – Hamzi Hameed (Captain), Rodney Paternott, James Alagaratnam, Ronnie Gunaratna, Rasiah Paramsothy, Chelliah Nirmalendran, Mervyn Fernando, Shakir Anverdeen, Mano Mather, Herman Gunasekera, David Joseph, Mario Misso, Desmond Harridge, Mohan Jayawardena, Ashrof Mahroof, C Cramer, M Coomaraswamy, Sunil Perera, Chandru Dadlani, Nihal Gunawardena, Stephen Nugara (See team picture)

1972 (Unofficial League Champions) – Jeffrey de Jong (Captain), Rohan Wiratunga (Vice Capt), Travis de Jong, Beverly Labrooy, Noel Vanlangenberg, Nimal Jayasuriya, Earle Serpanchy, Christopher (Sandy) Serpanchy, Jan van Twest, Ronald Rodrigo, Nalyn Wiratunga, Philip Stork, Cicero de Fonseka, David Nichole, Neil Peiris and Shirley Thambinayagam (See team picture)

1973 (Unofficial League Champions) – Rohan Wiratunga (Captain), Nalyn Wiratunga, Earle Serpanchy, Travis de Jong, Michael Vanlangenburg, Noel Vanlangenburg, Nimal Jayasuriya, Anura Goonetilleke, Rohan Leonidas, Rohan Amerasekera, Ronald Rodrigo, Shirley Thambinayagam, Cicero de Fonseka, Ralston Jayasekera, Frank Hubert and Mark Gomes (See team picture)

1995 (Knockout Champions) – Sanjeewa Abeygoonawardena (Captain)*, Anton Chelliah, Manoj Aresecularatne, Ruwantha Samarasinghe, Imal Samarasinghe, Anzlem De Silva, Madush Silva, Roshara Alles, Jegan Christopher, Sunanda Fernando, Erosh Fernando, Shanuka De Fonseka, Rushdi Faiz, Kirk Williams, Achala Silva, Tuan Rahaman, Zakeer Yoosaf, Shane Steinwall, Dinuka Silva and Shantha Dharmaratne (See team picture)

(* Sanjeewa Abeygoonawardena is the current OBU President)

2001 (All Island 7s and 10s Champions) – Dilan Abeygoonawardena (Captain), Dilanka Wijesekera, Philip Asinghearachchi, Dinuka Jayasinghe, Mohamed Ifthard, Ranidhu Peiris, Prabath Sumanapala, Prabarh Fernando, Hiran Bibile, Rumaiz Ishak, Mohamed Renaz, Sajith Adikari and Dananjaya Nonis

2002 (League Champions) – Dilanka Wijesekera (Captain), Philip Asinghearachchi (V.Capt), Dinuka Jayasinghe, Mohamed Ifthard, Ranidhu Peiris, Prabath Sumanapala, Prabarh Fernando, Hiran Bibile, Sheran de Fonseka, Dilshan Dole, Ravindra Lordon, Rumaiz Ishak, Mohamed Renaz, Sajith Adikari, Dananjaya Nonis, Manik Hewagama, Malith Perera, Dilshan Jude, Mahesh Fernando, Darshana Edirisinha, Suren Rajakaruna, Sanjeev Jayawardena, Ashan Wejesinghe, Rumesh, Dilanka Peris

2006 (Double Champions – League and Knockout) – Harendra Ariyawardena (Captain), Ranuka Jayasinghe, Sharo Fernando, Jerald Canute, Arjuna Bopitiya, Harsha Weerakkody, Poornaka Delpachitra, Irfath Meedin, (not all names available). (See available picture)

2007 (Unbeaten Double Champions – League and Knockout) – Ranuka Jayasinghe (Captain), Harendra Ariyawardena (previous year’s captain), Arjuna Bopitiya, Shanaka Gunasekera, Poornaka Delpachitra, Samson Roy, Irfath Meedin, Dilshan Paul, Jerald Canute, Ishan Noor, Thilan Bulner, Roshan Fonseka, Rukmal Mudiyanse, Chryshan Silva, Danushka Rukmal, Keith Gurusinghe, Dishan Gunaratne, Sharo Fernando, Harsha Weerakkody, Dilanjan Delpachitra, Ruwan Danushka, Lahiru Udayanga, Gazali Ifthikar, Kyle Barthelot, Shehn Anthony, Viduranga Karunaratne, Kavindu Lohitha, Rukshan Kulatunga (See team picture)

2008 (Knockout Champions) – Poornaka Delpachithra (Captain), Dilshan Paul, Sharo Fernando, Ishan Noor, Roshan Fonseka, Harsha Weerakkody, Gerard Canute, Richie Arnold, Keith Gurusinghe, Gazali Ifthikar, Ruwan Danushka, Dishan Gunaratne, Shalain Mendis, Lahiru Udyanaga, Suhiru Anthony, Shenal Dias, Leigh Keegal, Dilshan George, Amila Fernando, Rushan Ferdinando, Rishitha Peiris, Stphen Nelson, Johan Anderson, Samendra Bandara, Aneesha Fernando, Shenon Vanransaw, Danushka Lakmal, Neomal Perera, Srinath Perera, Nalan Mendis

2010 (Triple Champions – Sevens, League and Knockout) – Keith Gurusinghe (Captain), Stephen Nelson, Shenal Dias, Suhiru Anthony, Shalain Mendis, Aneesha Fernando, Lakith Perera, Johan Anderson, Banuka Nanayakkara, Chamith Madurawala, Rizwan Meedin, Isuru Alwis, Srinath Perera, Danushka Ranjan, Sandun Herath, Asitha Ratnayake, Ruchira Kumara, Kevin Wimaladasa, Denis Perera, Devin Fonseka, Asitha Krishan, Chathuranga Mendis, Ushan Charuka, Banuka Peiris, Hiruna Deemantha, Suranga Dulan, Ravindu Indrakumara, Ruwin Edirimuni, Shan Weerakkody, Dulaj Perera, Roysten Jansen (See team picture)

2011 (All Island 7s Champions) – Banuka Nanayakkara (Capt), Rizwan Meedin, Kevin Wimaladasa, Asith Krishan, Sandun Herath, Chathuraga Mendis, Isuru Alwis, Dulaj Perera, Davin Fonseka, Shenal Abeysekera, Shan Weerakkody, Malith Magage, Ravindu Indrakumara, Praveen de Silva, Ruchira Kumara, Banuka Peiris, Saranga Dulan, Chehan Mendis, Danushka Kodikara, Johan Rodrigo, Niraj Gurusinghe, Imal Dushantha, Imaad Rowoof, Royston Jenson, Jonathan Bertus, Anuradha Herath, Akila Ranchagoda, Subash Akalanka, Ruwin Edirimuni, Shehan de Silva, Dinuka Perera, Priyantha Fernando, Senal Aponso, Kishan Anthony, Pasindu Fernando, Steve Dharmaratne, Irash Fernando, Kevin Fernando

2013 (All Island 7s Champions) – Shan Weerakkody (Captain), Kevin Dixon, Senal Aponso, Shenal Abeysekera, Dilanka Perera, Praveen de Silva, Niraj Gunasinghe, Anuradha Herath, Kaushalya Nonis, Malith Magage, Johan Rodrigo, Shehan de Silva, Kishan Anthony, Priyanath Fernando, Steve Dharamaratne, Jonathan Bertus, Jerome Canute, Shallen Direkze, Dehan Fernando, Akila Ranchagoda, Nishon Perera, Maleesha Rajapaksha, Udara Hettiarchchi, Devin Ranasinghe, Shamri Burah, Frank Rogger, Dilshan Fornseka, Dinuk Fernando, Rahal Delpachithra, Sandesh Jayawickrema, Gehan Fernando, Gihan Peiris, Avishka Ranasinghe, Timothy Alles, Senura Premawardena, Avishka Heenpella, Shehan Mark, Kamesh Fernando, Sahan Rupasinghe, Pooji Malawage, Tharindu Weerasinghe

2015 (All Island 7s Champions) – Kevin Dixon (Captain), Nishon Perera, Nishon Perera, Udara Anjana, Ranith Silva, Sandesh Jayawickrema (Capt) [Brothers – see 2022],, Reshan Rajapaksha, Shehan Mark, Maleesha Rajapaksha, Shane Gunasinghe, Rahal Delpachitra, Avishka Heenpella, Avishka Ranasinghe, Ramesh Fernando, Kamesh Fernando, Harshana Peiris, Diyath Fernando, Ravin Yapa, Harin Biyanwila, Danilsha Dissanayake, Wishanka Janitha, Senura Premawardena, Stephen Sivaraj, Malith Jayasinghe, Stephen Kannangara, Pramod Kannangara, Shehan Madawa,  Luke Lakshan, Niranjan Samson, Anjelo Mendis, Sachin Saram, Nimesh Fonseka, Nishanthan Baskaran, Kushal Ratnayake, Thakshina Nonis, Chanaka Walpitage, Tharaka Ranasinghe, Chamath Samarakoon, Narendra Perera, Vivesh Paiva.

2018 (Knockout Champions) – Javed Zarook (Captain), Mark Assaw, Nikhil Yapa, Kenneth Wimaladasa, Sandesh de Mel, Bilal Hilmy, , Janidu Yasas, Lankesh Perera, Lakshan Uduwana, Abdullah Faiz, Sunera Fernando, Jason Karunaratne, Rukhan Madushanka, Julian Gratien, Avinash Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Suhail Fernando, Chaminda Sandaruwan, Senura Perera, Shentike Fernando, Shanal Ranasinghe, Yohan Fernando, Vishara Shenan, Shenal Silva, Shehan Thiwanka, Ushan Sachitra, Mohomed Nizran, Stefan Arnolda, Yashoda Mendis, Shenal Shenuka, Themal Fernando, Dayan Fernando, Jason Kulathilake, Ashan Ranasinghe, Dilusha Ranjendra, Ishan Fernando

2019 (Knockout Champions) – Bilal Hilmi (Captain), Sandesh de Mel, Sunera Fernando, Lankesh Perera, Janidu Yasas, Raveen Fernando, Julian Gratien, Dilshan Madushanka, Suhail Fernando, Chaminda Sandaruwan, Senura Perera, Shentike Fernando, Shanal Ranasinghe, Yohan Fernando, Shenol Silva, Mohomed Nizran, Yashoda Mendis, Jason Karunathilake, Ashel Ranasinghe, Ishan Fernando, Arjuna Amarisingh, Malinga Shehan, Akalanka Perera, Charith Sashika, Megha Dias, Sathmina Perera, Stellon Eardley, Shanon Karunaratne, Shalen Reshan, Thenuka Nanayakkara, Nimsara Ekanayake, Jehan Reson, Osanda Champaka

2023 (Unbeaten Double Champions – League and Knockout) – Ashain Madugasge (Captain), Ranithu Ridmal, Methusara Wishmitha,  Jehan Weerabangsa, Sadev Gamage, Shenuka Perera, Aiden Fernando, Dulaj Navodya, Salith Gallage, Windhya de Mel, Dineth Ranasinghe, Sudesh Jayawickrema (last year’s captain), Yumeth Shihara, Kushan Tharindu, Pasindu Thakshila, S. Aruldasa, E. Jayaweera, P. P. Himansa, D. Dilsara, P. Perera, P. Silva (See team picture)

A special mention must be made of the indefatigable coach of St. Peter’s, Mr. Sanath Martis to whom the boys and St. Peter’s owe a lot for the achievements in the recent past.

I must confess that these records going back so many years may not be as accurate as one might wish them to be, but I have tried my best to ensure accuracy through cross referencing and double checking. Also, regrettably in some years the 15 players’ names also could not be gathered and I hope some kind reader may send me the missing information and team pictures too if anyone is in possession of the relevant ones. Let me take this opportunity to thank Sujith Silva, Ayantha Panditharatne and Ashan Wijewickrema for helping me gather much of the data I have published here.

In conclusion, while the euphoria at winning is good, let me add a quote, from the football arena to remind ourselves that life is bigger than all our achievements from time to time “For when the One Great Scorer comes to mark against your name, He writes not that you won or lost but how you played the Game (Grantland Rice).

Keep the flag unfurled boys,