Battle of the Rocks
Encyclopedia
- For the American Revolutionary War battle also called "Battle of the Rocks" fought in Norwalk, ConnecticutNorwalk, ConnecticutNorwalk is a city in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the population of the city is 85,603, making Norwalk sixth in population in Connecticut, and third in Fairfield County...
in 1779 see Battle of NorwalkBattle of NorwalkThe Battle of Norwalk was a series of skirmishes between American and British forces during the American Revolutionary War. The main battle was fought in Norwalk, Connecticut on July 12, 1779. British forces under General William Tryon arrived on July 10, 1779...
Battle of the Rocks (Maliyadeva
Maliyadeva College
Maliyadeva College, Kurunegala, is a government school established in 1888, by the Buddhist Theosophical Society led by Colonel Henry Steel Olcott. It is one of Sri Lanka's oldest schools and considered by many to be a leading Buddhist school in Sri Lanka.It is a National School and controlled by...
vs St. Anne's
St. Anne's College (Sri Lanka)
St Anne's College is a Catholic boys' school located in Kurunegala, Sri Lanka. About 3000 students are studying in this school. The present principal is Rev. Brother Denzil Mendis.-History:...
), the annual Cricket encounter is a prominent sporting event played between two schools in North Western province of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
.
The cricket match is played between Maliyadeva College
Maliyadeva College
Maliyadeva College, Kurunegala, is a government school established in 1888, by the Buddhist Theosophical Society led by Colonel Henry Steel Olcott. It is one of Sri Lanka's oldest schools and considered by many to be a leading Buddhist school in Sri Lanka.It is a National School and controlled by...
& St. Anne's College
St. Anne's College (Sri Lanka)
St Anne's College is a Catholic boys' school located in Kurunegala, Sri Lanka. About 3000 students are studying in this school. The present principal is Rev. Brother Denzil Mendis.-History:...
annually at the Welagedara Stadium
Welagedara Stadium
Welagedara Stadium is a multi-use stadium in Kurunegala, Sri Lanka. The stadium was officially declared open by the then Minister of Home Affairs, Justice Felix Dias Bandaranaike in 1972. It is currently used mostly for cricket matches and hosts the Wayamba Cricket Team. The stadium can hold at...
, Kurunegala
Kurunegala
Kurunegala , is the capital of the North Western Province, Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka and the Kurunegala District. Kurunegala was also an ancient royal capital for 50 years, from the end of the 13th century to the start of the 13th century. The town itself is a busy commercial and a transport hub...
. The match is played over two days and the winner is presented with the Janaka Bogollagama Trophy. The two day match is followed by an one-day match between the two sides which started in 1992.
The encounter has a long history. However, in certain years, it was not played due to various reasons. The Year 2009 marked the 29th and the 17th of the Battle of the Rocks and the annual limited overs match.
Atmosphere
The Battle of the Rocks is filled with pageantry. With decorated tents, flags and BailaBaila
Baila is a form of dance music popular on the island of Sri Lanka. The genre originated centuries ago among the 'kaffir' or Afro-Sinhalese communities and was later amalgamated with European instruments and eastern and western rhythms, especially rhythms found in Spain and northern European folk...
singing and dancing groups present all around the city and at the ground itself during the match days and in the days leading up to it. On the day before the match, the students of each school take a walk around the city in a cycle parade with bands and decorations and other colorful items showing support for their respective team. Overloaded cars with supporters singing along the Kurunegala streets is a familiar sight during match days.
The match is looked forward to by young and old, male and female and more of an occasion for the old boys and present students of both schools. It is quite normal to see 70, 80 year old alumni coming to the "Big Match" to relive old memories and meet their old friends.
Summary of results
Maliyadeva College has won four matches so far out of the 29 played while the St. Anne's College has never won any. All the others have ended in no decisions. Both teams have won seven matches each, in the limited overs encounter, while on two occasions, the two teams shared the trophy.Notable persons who have played
Maliyadeva CollegeMaliyadeva College
Maliyadeva College, Kurunegala, is a government school established in 1888, by the Buddhist Theosophical Society led by Colonel Henry Steel Olcott. It is one of Sri Lanka's oldest schools and considered by many to be a leading Buddhist school in Sri Lanka.It is a National School and controlled by...
- Rangana HerathRangana HerathHerath Mudiyanselage Rangana Keerthi Bandara Herath, also known as H. M. R. K. B. Herath or Rangana Herath or Jack is a Sri Lankan cricketer. He was educated at Mayurapada Central College, Narammala and Maliyadeva College. He has also played cricket for Kurunegala Youth Cricket Club and Moors...
- Ranjith Madurusinghe
- Eric UpashanthaEric UpashanthaKalutarage Eric Amila Upashantha is a Sri Lankan cricketer. He has done his higher education at Maliyadeva College, Kurunegala...
- Jeewantha Kulatunga
St. Anne's College
St. Anne's College (Sri Lanka)
St Anne's College is a Catholic boys' school located in Kurunegala, Sri Lanka. About 3000 students are studying in this school. The present principal is Rev. Brother Denzil Mendis.-History:...
- Lanka de SilvaLanka de SilvaSanjeewa Kumara Lanka De Silva is a former Sri Lankan cricketer who played in 3 Tests and 11 ODIs in 1997....
See also
- Maliyadeva CollegeMaliyadeva CollegeMaliyadeva College, Kurunegala, is a government school established in 1888, by the Buddhist Theosophical Society led by Colonel Henry Steel Olcott. It is one of Sri Lanka's oldest schools and considered by many to be a leading Buddhist school in Sri Lanka.It is a National School and controlled by...
- Devans
- St. Anne's CollegeSt. Anne's College (Sri Lanka)St Anne's College is a Catholic boys' school located in Kurunegala, Sri Lanka. About 3000 students are studying in this school. The present principal is Rev. Brother Denzil Mendis.-History:...
annites