Bens-Wesley Cartman Cup and Luke Shield – Celebrating a 130-year legacy

• A match made in heaven

St. Benedict’s College and Wesley College, one of the oldest cricket playing schools in the country will meet at the P. Saravanamuttu Oval on March 20-21 for the traditional Cartman Cup encounter. Incidentally this year marks 130-years of cricketing relationship between the institutions which dates back to 1895/96. The limited over encounter for the Luke Shield is scheduled on April 11 at the Singhalese Sports Club (SSC). Mevan Dissanaike leads the Benedictines and Rashmika Amararathne takes charge or the Wesleyites.

The Chief Guests for the Cartman Cup will be Benedictine Captains Basil Perera (1974) and Gehan Perera (1977 & 1979) along with 1972 Wesley skipper Anwar Cader (A.H.A Cader).

St. Benedict’s are the holders of the Cartman Cup having won outright in 2024 under Sharujan Shanmuganathan. Wesley’s last win against the Bens came in 2017 under Thisuraka Akmeemana. The Luke Shield has been safely lying at the trophy cabinets in Kotahena as the Bens have ran riot in the series winning four-in-a-row from 2022-2025.

Here’s what happened last year – Cartman Cup

Brief Scores:

Wesley: 208/6 d (65) (Rashmika Amararathne 98, Dinuja Samararatne 34, Anuga Kodagoda 31, Sharujan Shanmuganathan 2/38) & 254/7 (54) (Anuga Kodagoda 82, Lithum Senuja 63, Deneth Sigera 63)

St. Benedict’s: 235 (60.1) (Sharujan Shanmuganathan 71, Mevan Dissanaike 50, Tehan Bitar 36, Manikya Deshapriya 25, Dinuja Samararatne 3/42, Rashmika Amararathne 3/43, Jeewahan Sriraam 2/66)

A timeless classic; Bens-Wesley

As extracted from Times of Ceylon 13th March 1896, perhaps the historical inaugural match or the second match (till 1895 match officially found or dispelled) between St.  Benedict’s and Wesley was played on 11th and 12th March 1896 at Racquet Court (Grounds), Colombo present day, area in front of Colombo Fort Railway Station. Wesley won this match by 64 runs.

The two-day encounter played for the Cartman Cup is in memory of former Principal of Wesley College Rev. James Cartman whilst the limited over encounter will be played for the Luke Shield which is in memory of former Director of St. Benedict’s College Rev. Brother. Luke Gregory.

There had been many exciting games between the two schools and many noteworthy performances. The likes of 8 wickets for 11 runs by Wesleyite K. Balakrishnan in 1943/44 which undoubtedly is the best bowling figures of the series and 7 for 52 by Shanthilal Silva for Benedictines in 1984/85 season. In 2017, Shenal Dangalle captured 8 for 39 for Wesley College coming closer to better Balakrishnan’s feat.

The best batting performances of the series belongs to Benedictine Sangaran Nandalal who scored 137 not out in 2007 and in 1929 Wilson Abeysekera (SBC) – 115*. These remain the only 2 centuries to be scored in the series so far from either side, since 1895. In 2023 Sharujan Shanmuganathan and in 2025 Rashmika Amararathne Wesley’s skipper this year came very close to score a century. They both got 98.

Cricket for a cause:

For the first time in Sri Lanka, Wesley College and St. Benedict’s College came together to ‘Play for a Purpose’, supporting the children of SOS Children’s Villages. This meaningful initiative not only promotes sport but also teaches young people the value of social responsibility and giving back to society.

The true highlight of Bens-Wesley encounters in the last five years has been the donations made by both schools, together with sponsors, towards charitable causes. In 2022, it was a donation made towards the Diyagala Boys’ Town, in 2023, a donation was made towards a project initiated by Wesley College, celebrating its sesquicentennial year by supporting 150 rural schools. The 2024 donation went to De La Salle College, Mutwal.

The Joint Committee led by Co Chairmen Samal Dissanaike (SBC) and Dharshana Liyanage (WCC) under the guidance of St. Benedict’s College Director Rev. Bro. Niran Perera and Wesley College Principal Avanka Fernando, have made arrangements for an epic encounter, bring both communities together for a greater camaraderie and nostalgia. Like its past story, the next generation will script their own tale and the legacy will continue to enthral Benedictines and Wesleyites. Here’s wishing both schools a memorable Cartman cup and Luke Shield ahead!