Trinity College, Kandy, has been known as the cradle of Sri Lanka rugby for well over a century as the college from the hill capital produced many outstanding ruggerites and champion sides, including five unbeaten teams. However, since the Lions’ last all-conquering First XV side of 1987, under the inspiring …

TRIBUTE: Arthur Hakel True-blue Joe, on and off the field   By Susilough de S Wijeyeratne   I came to know Arthur Hakel by name as a kid watching cricket, seated on a suitcase by the boundary at St Joseph’s College grounds in the later parts of the 1960s, when …

RUGBY HITS OF THE ’70S Blue & Gold magic: the Champion Royal XV of ’78 By Sujith Silva The 1970s was a remarkable decade for Royal rugby. In this period, the Reid Avenue college managed to revive its fortunes against traditional hill-country opponent, Trinity College in the annual Bradby Shield. An …

By LAWRENCE HEYN There is a saying: an apple does not fall far from the tree. In this instance, three “apples” fell close to the tree – the Paternott family tree that is. In very much a case of like father, like sons, Norman Paternott, and his three boys Aubrey, …

QUADRANGLE  SPECIAL BY NEIL WIJERATNE   Joes slow to kick-along to rugby conversion     The 37th Annual General Meeting of the Ceylon Rugby Football Union (now SLRFU) was held in 1954 during the famous “Annual August Week” at the GOH facing Colombo Harbour. The local custodians of this British sport representing …

Splendour in the grass By UL Kaluaratchi It is now decades since I handled a rugby ball. So, the kick-off at this stage of our life is difficult, yet it always is considered very important. I would like to kick off these random reflections by paying a warm tribute to …

MR GEORGE MACKY The spirit of one By Bernard VanCuylenburg   Rather late on the road of an Antonian journey, I take my place in line, pen in hand as I endeavour to pay tribute to a gentleman whose name now dwells in the realms of legend in the Antonian …

Elmo Rodrigopulle: cricketer and veteran journalist Master spinner to master storyteller Being a loyal old Ben, keen sports fan, former Public Schools athlete, cheer leader and Ceylon University’s “shortest goalkeeper”, Kenneth Dabrera writes about his cricketing idol, friend and journalist ELMO RODRIGOPULLE, who played for and captained St Benedict’s College …

The great escape of 1983 BY NEIL WIJERATNE     Who recalls that St Joseph’s versus Wesley cricket match played at Campbell Park in 1983? It wasn’t a thriller; it wasn’t a type of a match that kept you on the edge of your seat. Instead, it was a classic …